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Sorry for pouncing on another new members thread, so I'll start my own here.
I had been out of bikes for awhile and had gotten into cars. I didn't like the way bike styles were evolving with the likes of the GSXR and the Ninjas. I bought a 1980 KZ1000 MKII when the J models were coming out in 1981, so I got the year old (but new) bike for $2995. I loved that bike and would still have it if it weren't for a girlfriend that loved to spend more money than I made.
Recently, a buddy of mine told me about a 1985 GPZ1100 that was in his wife's friend's garage. I offered to buy it, but he wanted me to do research to see what it might be worth, so I went to Ebay. Not finding one, I just typed in "Kawasaki 1100." Very little came up, but those familiar with Ebay knows that they will also show items related to what you are looking for. This guy had the GS1100 G listed, but the auction was almost over. He had bidding starting at $1600, but nobody bid on it. I contacted him and asked if the Kawasaki deal fell through, if he would take $1600 for the GS. He agreed. Well, the GPZ deal never materialized, so I worked it out to have the GS delivered from outside Reno to where I live on the Texas/Mexico border. It had been sitting for 3 years, so I had to have the carbs rebuilt and synched, but everything else (stator, regulator, oil leaks, etc.,) I did myself. My cousin had a GS750 and a GS1000 back when I had my KZ1000, so I knew what the GS's were capable of. I don't feel I "settled" on the GS, but rather I got a better deal! I would still love to pick up that GPZ, though.
The story on why Motorcyclist built the bike was, they were doing an article on updating the older GS. Most of the changes were cosmetic, with new shocks and coils installed as well, as was the new GS1000S fairing and SuperTrapp header. The emblem for the header was missing, so I contacted SuperTrapp to see if I could get one. The new one says "Kerker by SuperTrapp" so I presume they bought Kerker headers. The header is filthy on the back side of it, so I will pull it off and clean it up. Then I will put the new emblem on. It also appears that something must have happened to the rear signals, and someone put on these generic ones. They will be changed back.
Short story long, I love the bike and plan on owning and riding it till arthritis keeps me from pulling the clutch in. In hindsight, I bought a new Arai helmet back in 1985 that was a Wes Cooley "autographed" helmet. A few years ago, I sold it on Ebay for almost what I paid for it. I wish I still had it as it was the blue/white/black version.
The first picture is from Motorcyclist, the next couple from the Ebay auction, and then at my house.
I had been out of bikes for awhile and had gotten into cars. I didn't like the way bike styles were evolving with the likes of the GSXR and the Ninjas. I bought a 1980 KZ1000 MKII when the J models were coming out in 1981, so I got the year old (but new) bike for $2995. I loved that bike and would still have it if it weren't for a girlfriend that loved to spend more money than I made.
Recently, a buddy of mine told me about a 1985 GPZ1100 that was in his wife's friend's garage. I offered to buy it, but he wanted me to do research to see what it might be worth, so I went to Ebay. Not finding one, I just typed in "Kawasaki 1100." Very little came up, but those familiar with Ebay knows that they will also show items related to what you are looking for. This guy had the GS1100 G listed, but the auction was almost over. He had bidding starting at $1600, but nobody bid on it. I contacted him and asked if the Kawasaki deal fell through, if he would take $1600 for the GS. He agreed. Well, the GPZ deal never materialized, so I worked it out to have the GS delivered from outside Reno to where I live on the Texas/Mexico border. It had been sitting for 3 years, so I had to have the carbs rebuilt and synched, but everything else (stator, regulator, oil leaks, etc.,) I did myself. My cousin had a GS750 and a GS1000 back when I had my KZ1000, so I knew what the GS's were capable of. I don't feel I "settled" on the GS, but rather I got a better deal! I would still love to pick up that GPZ, though.
The story on why Motorcyclist built the bike was, they were doing an article on updating the older GS. Most of the changes were cosmetic, with new shocks and coils installed as well, as was the new GS1000S fairing and SuperTrapp header. The emblem for the header was missing, so I contacted SuperTrapp to see if I could get one. The new one says "Kerker by SuperTrapp" so I presume they bought Kerker headers. The header is filthy on the back side of it, so I will pull it off and clean it up. Then I will put the new emblem on. It also appears that something must have happened to the rear signals, and someone put on these generic ones. They will be changed back.
Short story long, I love the bike and plan on owning and riding it till arthritis keeps me from pulling the clutch in. In hindsight, I bought a new Arai helmet back in 1985 that was a Wes Cooley "autographed" helmet. A few years ago, I sold it on Ebay for almost what I paid for it. I wish I still had it as it was the blue/white/black version.
The first picture is from Motorcyclist, the next couple from the Ebay auction, and then at my house.
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