I need an opinion on this one quick

[kahuna]

My friend sanford of sanford and son finally came up with something.It is a 1977 kz1000 ltd I believe maybe a b-1 model.Ckeck this :1043 mi, no bull*@%^$*@%^$*@%^$*@%^$.All original,shiny paint,never been in rain,never registered since 1980,kept in dry storage.It is something you only maybe once get the sight of seeing any old classic in your life.Heres the catch; Bike sat for 25 years,motor doesn't wan't to go full rotation,we are currently soaking cyclinders with 10/40 to spatk plug,we are going to wait a week.We leaned it to a side so oil will hit valves before we put new battery in and go for it.My friend wants the 1800.00 trailer that I currently shift my GS's in and out of,nice bike trailer.Should I strike while the iron is hot and take my chances with this motor?Or should I wait and see if he can get her running?I just am afraid if he here's it run,it's a deal gone.

[jeff.saunders]

I would not run the bike until you understand why it does not turn over. It could be anything from cam timing out of sync to a valve stuck open, to ???. The first thing I would do is pull the cam cover and inspect the top end of the engine - from here you can tell is a valve is stuck open, you can also check the timing marks to see if the cam timing is correct or not.

DO not use the starter motor or kickstarter to turn the engine over.

Pull the plugs and gently turn the engine over with a wrench on the end of the crank.

I would also drain the oil and check for water in the oil.

If the bore is rusty, you are probably going to need to rebore and get pistons / rings.

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As a general footnote here - any bike that's sat for 10+ years it's best not to try and start it without carefully going over the engine first. You can do significant damage to the engine after it's been sitting for so long.

In your situation, if the thing stopping the engine from turning over is a stuck valve, you've probably already bent the valve. Attempting to start it could break the head off the valve and now you've possibly trashed a piston and damaged the head.

[kahuna]

opinion

Clarify,the bike was not owned originally by a novice.With this I am worried also about opening any gaskets,does this reduce value if I pull valve cover and what should I make sure it doesn't have.This bike is "rust free" 1043 mi.Should I take the chance with it,expecting the worst.

[jeff.saunders]

KZ1000 engines are VERY, VERY tough engines - but they are not impervious to rust or corrosion. If the engine sat for 25 years and was NEVER turned over occasionally, you really need to pull the head off and check valve springs - a couple of the valve springs have been fully compressed for 25 years - they will likely be in bad shape. The valve seats with valves open will probably be rusty.

Parts for KZ1000 engines are easy to come by (we sell many of them).

[kahuna]

opinion

Your input sounds correct,I wonder if it might fire up with these issues.I know it is gonna smoke bad as we laid her on its side in the grass to get oil on the top end.It was quite an un natural site,but hopefully effective.

[hungryman]

Why the rush to fire it up? I'd tear it down to the cases, clean, and replace parts, then lite it up.

[Joe Nardy]

If you're a big fan of the LTD models and can do the mechanical work yourself I'd say go for it. If you're thinking about dollar value I don't think the 1000cc models and LTD models will ever be worth what the original 900cc versions are worth. If you're going to pay someone to do any necessary repairs you might be in for a huge bill. Personally I'm not a fan of the LTD models so I'd probably take a pass but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If it's that beautiful to you then I would grab it and enjoy making it road-ready.

Thanks,
Joe

[kahuna]

opinion

I understand its no 75 900z1,so lets say after a week of soaking,we drain and replace fluids and battery and clean carbs.It fires and runs with no real issues.What is the dollar value on a bike in this good of condition with only 1043 miles? 1977 kz1000 ltd , showroom condition all orig.
And thankyou all for your input

[jeff.saunders]

A very nice 77 ltd will fetch $3500+ depending on condition and correctness. Value on the older bikes is driven by originality - things like the 4-2 exhausts, shocks, bodywork and chrome parts.

It sounds like all you want to do is fire that motor up - again, don't do this until you know why the thing is not turning over. You can quickly cost yourself hundreds of dollars in engine repair.

[earlfor]

If youre looking for something to ride thats quick, cheap and easy, I wouldnt consider it and if its been sitting without being turned over for 25 years, its not a good bet that it will be any of those things to get running again. If youre simply looking for a restoration project and time, money, effort and having something to ride are not considerations, go for it.

Earl