Am I crazy -- can you talk me out of this?

[Houtman_imp]

Yes , you are crazy but the biggest regrets in life are the things you did not do !

[flynrider]

I have to go with The Ferret on this one. I used to love rescuing old UJM garage queens back in my younger days (including several KZs). Eventually, I got to the point where I wanted to spend more time riding and less time wrenching, so I gave it up. 40 year old bikes generally require a lot of TLC if you're going to ride them more than a few thousand miles per year. If you like wrenching, that may not be an issue.

After having a CB1100, you might be a bit disappointed at the "state of the art" in suspension and brakes you'll get with a 70s bike. I recently rode a friend's resurrected '78 KZ650. Although it was loads of fun, the main thing I noticed were the marginally performing suspension and brakes. Somehow, in my memory, they were great back in the early 80s, but now they seemed just short of inadequate.

If you really have your heart set on a classic Z bike, and you've got the $$s to spend replacing most everything on it, I say go for it. Just keep in mind that it's performance and maintenance needs will not resemble a modern UJM like the CB1100. Whenever I see one of those classics still on the road I tend to drool a little, but somewhere in the back of my mind I'm glad that somebody else owns it.

[use2b_imp]

I sure feel like Odd man out and was offered $5K for mine last week " standing offer "
been thinking about a new Vita S12X Monster anyway .....

[Django]

I have to go with The Ferret on this one. I used to love rescuing old UJM garage queens back in my younger days (including several KZs). Eventually, I got to the point where I wanted to spend more time riding and less time wrenching, so I gave it up. 40 year old bikes generally require a lot of TLC if you're going to ride them more than a few thousand miles per year. If you like wrenching, that may not be an issue.

After having a CB1100, you might be a bit disappointed at the "state of the art" in suspension and brakes you'll get with a 70s bike. I recently rode a friend's resurrected '78 KZ650. Although it was loads of fun, the main thing I noticed were the marginally performing suspension and brakes. Somehow, in my memory, they were great back in the early 80s, but now they seemed just short of inadequate.

If you really have your heart set on a classic Z bike, and you've got the $$s to spend replacing most everything on it, I say go for it. Just keep in mind that it's performance and maintenance needs will not resemble a modern UJM like the CB1100. Whenever I see one of those classics still on the road I tend to drool a little, but somewhere in the back of my mind I'm glad that somebody else owns it.

That's to the point, what I think/feel.

[The A-man]

Use2b - from the pics I've seen of your 750, I think it's worth a lot more than $5,000. Just look at E-bay.

[Dude_imp]

I love the kz1000p

[Bheezy27403_imp]

What people are asking for the 70's Hondas right now is mind blowing. 8-10 years ago the prices were WELL below what they are now. I suppose people have decided they are collectors items in this time frame. I'm sure they have appreciated somewhat through these years but some of these prices are outrageous. It's not like there are a shortage of these older rides.

Don't get me wrong. I love the old rides and am currently dumping $ in a 73 RD350 but some of the asking prices are just plain pipe dreams.

And I agree. Use2b's CB is worth every bit of that # from the pics I've seen. It's when someone posts up an old, rotten, barn find CB and is asking 3k for it is when my eyes roll.

[flynrider]

I love the kz1000p

These are a bit easier to keep if you get one of the last models built in 2005 or so. Big difference between a 12 yr. old bike vs. a 40 yr. old bike. Another bonus is that people around you will tend to drive more sanely if they think you're a cop

[the Ferret]

Its also different if you are talking about a 40 year old bike you bought new and maintained and KNOW the history on, like use2b, vs buying a 40 year old bike off ebay or Craigslist with a questionable history.

[PowerDubs_imp]

I owned a clean old CB750 back around 2001.

I agree while it was fun, it is no comparison whatsoever to the CB1100.

Would I own it again now? I'd have to think long and hard about it (which I guess means no).

Part of me says just as a toy spare bike- but then my rational side of upkeep cost and hassle vs reward.



Related thought-

It is actually this same concept that brought me to the CB1100.

I wanted a motorcycle after a few years and found myself casually looking around Craigslist when I found a guy selling an old Kawasaki KZ750 LTD. That was my favorite bike I had owned. Much fun was had with it back when I was in the Army.

I managed to get my wife to go with me to look at the one on Craigslist- in case I bought it and rode it home.

Well- rose colored glasses and all that. The LTD just didn't feel right.

That is how I ended up getting the CB and making it what it is now.