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Hello from Noblesville Indiana 10 years 4 weeks ago #5007

  • kennyb
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I have the same almost exact bike.You sir are the proud owner of a 1979 KZ1300 "Gran Touring" edition. The fairing is not a Vetter wind jammer. The one you have was actually made by Calafia industries in California USA. The next year Kawasaki made there own fairing and not quite as handsome(I feel) as the Califia.The color was originally Luminous Star light blue.Obviously it's been customized.The luggage is Vetter.Back in the day there were many luggage options for the mighty KZ1300 and many Vetter knock offs as well.This is what I have found from my research into this model and reading motorcycle magazines from that period and from Craig Vetter's website.

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Hello from Noblesville Indiana 10 years 4 weeks ago #5015

  • ntaylor111
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Awesome... Thanks for all the information.
The more I investigate the bike, I believe it has been painted before.
It has a lot of chips in the front so I plan to repaint it again.
I will keep this updated as progress continues.

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Hello from Noblesville Indiana 10 years 4 weeks ago #5025

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BTW 1993 Chrysler "emerald green"is a perfect substitute for the "Luminous star light blue".Also I picked up a pin striping kit on Ebay for the KZ1300 and they are bright gold! You are better off picking up some 1/4 gold Pro stripe which will be closer to the original and significantly cheaper and take a shot of doing that your self.I watched quite a few vids on youtube and they explain and show all types of really kool techniques on how to lay vinyl stripe.The exhaust issue the headers are usually good and mufflers are roached and replacement ones are pricey.A cost effective way to go is with straight pipes.BTW when you attempt to take the mufflers off the headers it usually ends up cracking the connection to the resonator thingy ask me how I know ;)But if you go the straight pipes you don't need them anyway.So if it happens don't wig out.

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Hello from Noblesville Indiana 10 years 4 weeks ago #5034

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I'm not a fan of the blue color so I will probably keep it the dark cherry. I would think there are very few people that would really know it's not the original color. The left muffler came right off - no issues BUT... yeah the right one broke about half the insert off - it's old!!! I'm still trying to decide if I want to have the exhaust rechrome, black ceramic coated, or try to have new ones made. It all sounds expensive!!!

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Hello from Noblesville Indiana 10 years 4 weeks ago #5039

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It's only money ;) The only 6 into 1 that is made here in the good old USA is the DG.I am too not a big fan of the big chrome. I had my DG pipe ceramic coated by "Jet Hot" coatings. They coat the inside and outside.I did it more for looks but the advertisements are true it really does make a difference with heat and performance. I paid $250 and I know there cheaper alternatives but they have been around and seen there ads since I was a kid in the old mans car magazines and there warranty seems straight forward.Also for the pipe check out Craigslist. That's how I came across my pipe. Some dude bought it for a KZ he was working on and he gave up on it.He let it go to me I believe for $375 or $400.
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Last edit: by kennyb.

Hello from Noblesville Indiana 10 years 3 weeks ago #5047

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kennyb - thanks for the information and photos. Did you have to take the exhaust system completely apart? Is it a flat or gloss finish? I checked out "hot Jet" on their website - it appears they do good work. I plan to contact them Monday and chat. IT'S ONLY MONEY!!! I figured a $1000 budget for exhaust, repaint, shocks, and increase charging capacity - getting that feeling the budget is too low - oh well!!! The weather this weekend in Indianapolis should be in the 70s so good time to add a few miles on the old girl.

Question: When I hit the front brakes hard I get a little "nose dive" - one to two inches. Air pressure is a little high at 15psi. Is this normal with all the added weight like fairing? New spring? spacers?

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