Motorcycle experts, Need your help!?

Question

Here lies a photograph of a motorcycle. I need to know what motorcycle this is, Make, model, year. any info helps, even guesses. i have come to the conclusion that it looks like a honda shadow/rebel maybe. what do you guys think?

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/85/l_6e684afa3865477eb9f1478fd3788640.jpg

you may be wondering why i need to know and its only fair if you are going to help me. This was my fathers bike when he was about my age. He passed away, and i never knew what type of bike it was. i want to get an exact bike.

Answer 1

well, from the engine cover, it looks like it says Kawasaki. from the kick start and the shape of the seat i would say maybe 1970-1980? but from the holes in the brakes, early 80's?



LOOKS like v-twin, but i can't see it that well. from the rear disc brake, i could probably say it also has at least another disc brake up front. also has dual exhaust.



this is similar: http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic_bikes/z440.jpg



this has the kick start but no holes in the brakes: http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic_bikes/kawaskaki-kz750.jpg



heres the KZ1000 it looks A LOT like it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6GoJc5g4Tqc/RiejbuomovI/AAAAAAAAAK4/B-UjxTpRjHU/DSC01800.JPG

http://www.gogocycles.com/images/1980-kawasaki-kz1000-g-for-sale-21331336.jpg

http://www.tristatecyclesales.com/images/vehicles/DC306A81-B470-A42C-AF832A557DDA152D.jpg

http://www.twowheelforum.com/photopost/direct_data/551/medium/sweet.jpg

http://michaelsmotorcycles.com/1977KAWASAKIKZ1000LTD807/2sell_047.jpg

http://www.artedelstein.com/OldBikes/78KZ1000/78KZ1000_Images/Image43.jpg



yeah dude i REALLY think its a KZ1000-KZ1200. compare with the artedelstein.com one's seat and rear shocks EXACTLY in the same place. same speedos, same foot peddle position above the exhaust, same rear blinker position etc. its not a perfect match because your dad had a different year of that model, also he could have moded it a little, and you can do more research on what year he had.



took about 30 minutes of research :)



cheers brotha! i hope you find that bike! btw nice hair!



lol they use the same rear wheel adjusters as my ke100 haha! thats awesome...

Answer 2

It really looks like a 70's Kawasaki KZ1000. It's certainly an in-line four cylinder so that eliminates the v-twins like the shadow. Kickstarts went out in the late 70's. Two Disc brakes started in the late 70's for the most part. The taillights, instruments, seat, wheels, fender scream Kawasaki.



Here is some model history on the KZ series. This site also has a forum. You can join, post the picture here and see what they come up with.

Answer 3

It's really hard to tell from the picture. My guess would be a Honda CB750, the twin-cam version that came out around 1979 or 1980. It has an aftermarket seat (more comfortable).



It's almost definitely a Honda, you can almost read it on the engine case.



The Shadow and Rebel are relatively recent developments, they wouldn't have been around a generation ago. Honda did make a cruiser in the 80s called the Magna, but this is not one of those. It's not a cruiser, it's a standard. The 750 was the most popular bike of its day, and a lot of them are still around.

Answer 4

The EX500 is a *super* motorbike (this coming from somebody who's been driving for over 25 years on a super many motorcycles the two great and small). The throttle reaction is nice and the capability is accessible in with fairly a kick once you provide it lots of throttle and revs. although, in case you cope with the throttle sensibly, you're rewarded with a motorbike it quite is quite elementary to administration. The coping with is amazingly candy besides, as quickly as you have learnt to deal with the motorbike correct, on all however the straightest of roads it's going to take an exceedingly commited rider to circulate away you in the back of. Cornering (on good rubber) they're virtually as good as motorcycles lots larger / swifter. Even on the straights, they are going to run as much as a hundred twenty five mph in case you have have been given the early kind. Do try-sit down on one however, in case you have have been given long legs you may discover the driving place a sprint cramped. The GS500 is likewise marvelous, yet is far less interesting while the throttle is wound totally open. The engine reaction is amazingly linear which makes for a predictable (some would say boring) experience. as quickly as you have learnt, you;ll be wanting to alter this motorbike while you need to maintain the EX. The Ninja 250 - good even yet it somewhat is - won't provide you the excitement that the two of the 500s will, and are easily harder to experience simply by ought to shop the engine on the boil to make progression. A Buell? Cool looking motorbike, yet no longer precisely situation unfastened. carry a rucksack to gather each and all the bits that fall off once you're driving it and purchase shares in Loctite.

Answer 5

It's definitely a Kawasaki (that's what's printed on the round black engine cover!), but hard to tell what size. They all had the same styling. Most likely a KZ900, KZ1000 or KZ1100. But possibly a KZ750. Kickstarters had been eliminated by around 1980. The seat and exhaust system are not stock, and the handlebars may well be lower than the original ones.

Answer 6

Looks like a Kawasaki LTD 440. Or maybe a Honda Nighthawk 750. Bad Picture.

Answer 7

Sorry to hear about Your Dad's passing,,,I hope he's at peace.





Man,,,I don't claim to be an Expert,,,but I'll be happy to have a look

I get Lucky sometimes:)



But No Luck so far with getting that link to open

I dunno if it's me or the link???



You may wanna check it on your end.

I'll come back afterwhile and try again





Not a Honda,,,a Kawasaki KZ650 Custom,,,if You can recall the Color,I can tell you what year.



The one in your pic has a Kerker Header,,and a Rear Shock Lowering kit also



I kinda suspect '78,,solid Silver

'79's had pinstriping and odd triangle brake cyl cover

................................

This look familiar?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/rstnick/78withpodsbiggerpic.jpg

Answer 8

The picture itself is kind of dark and indistinct, but it appears to have a kickstarter, which was becoming a lot more rare around then.

Do you know any of his old riding buddies? I remember who had what and when, especially if I liked it. I'd be happy to tell any kid of one of my old riding buddies.

Answer 9

sorry about your dad..may god rest him in peace...

to me it is kawasaki1977 KZ 100/900

man i am not sure though...it looks like that...