1979 KAWASAKI LTD1000

Pristine Mint & All Original Including Paint & Exhaust

Just Fully Serviced, Tuned & Detailed

Over 91.7 of Shop Labor Hours Invested

The Ultimate Muscle-Cruiser from the Golden Era

Feast your eyes on this stunning 1979 Kawasaki LTD1000, one of the most iconic factory custom cruisers ever produced. Built off the legendary Z1/KZ1000 superbike platform, this bike represents Kawasaki’s bold move into the muscle cruiser market—combining superbike DNA with head-turning style.

From the factory, this LTD came loaded with:

• Teardrop tank

• King/Queen step seat

• Chrome rear grab rail

• Pullback bars

• Mag wheels

• Triple disc brakes

• Factory black paint with gold/blue pinstriping

This wasn’t just styling—it was performance heritage wrapped in attitude.

Exceptionally Original – A True Survivor

Finding one of these is rare. Finding one like this is almost unheard of:

• Original factory paint on tank and side covers

• Original Jardine exhaust system (factory outsourced—extremely rare!)

• Original Mulholland shocks with decals intact

• Original chrome, gauges, bars, controls, and hardware

This bike has been beautifully preserved for nearly 50 years—and then taken to the next level.

Expert Paint Preservation (Not Repainted!)

Our in-house paint specialist carefully:

• Restored and re-cleared the original tank paint

• Preserved original base coat

• Installed correct reproduction decals over originals

• Clear-coated and buffed to a show-quality finish

Result: It shines better than it did in 1979.

$13,755 Just Invested By Kaplan Cycles In Shop Labor & Parts

This is not a quick flip. This is a fully sorted, mechanically dialed machine.

• 91.7 hours of labor @ $150/hr

• Full rotisserie detail

• Complete mechanical service front to back

• All receipts included (multi-page documentation)

Engine & Performance

• 1000cc inline-four (Z1-derived)

• 140–144 PSI compression across all cylinders

• (Engine Was Rebuilt By Previous Owner Years Ago)

• Valves adjusted, carbs fully rebuilt & synced

• Runs, idles, and pulls like a freight train

These engines are legendary for durability—properly maintained, they’ll run virtually forever.

Carburetors – Fully Restored (Not Just Cleaned)

Complete teardown and rebuild including:

• Ultrasonic Cleaning

• New OEM Mikuni jets

• New float needles, seats, seals

• New intake boots, vacuum caps, fuel lines

• Sync, idle, and mixture dialed perfectly

The carbs look and perform like new.

Key Mechanical Highlights

• New ignition coil

• New throttle cables (push/pull)

• Rebuilt master cylinder

• Fully serviced front & rear brakes (new fluid)

• New battery

• New chain & New Sprockets

• New air filter

• Electrical system refreshed

• Charging system tested

Wheels, Suspension & Chassis

• Wheels vapor honed, repainted, and polished

• Bearings cleaned and repacked

• Forks serviced with new seals/boots

• Fork lowers polished

• Calipers refinished

• Frame, swingarm, and mounts repainted

Tires:

• Pirelli Route 66

• ~90% tread front & rear

Seat & Cosmetics

• New Mustang reproduction king/queen seat (correct style)

• Original chrome fenders in excellent condition

• Original gauges, lights, and trim in outstanding shape

Full Disclosure (We Sell with Integrity)

• Minor typical head gasket weep (common on these models)

• 
  

We disclose everything—we’ve sold 10,000+ motorcycles with 100% positive feedback.

Shipping, Financing & Support

• Nationwide enclosed shipping available

• Fully insured transport

• In-house financing options

• Door-to-door delivery

Why This Bike Matters

The 1979 LTD1000 is a landmark motorcycle:

• One of the first factory customs

• Superbikes turned into muscle cruisers

• Drag bike & street performance heritage

• Highly collectible, especially in original condition

This one checks every box:
- Original
- Documented
- Professionally serviced
- Show-quality presentation
- Turnkey and ready to ride or display

Final Word

We’ve invested nearly $14,000 in labor and service alone ~ not including the cost of the bike.

The heavy lifting is DONE.

This is your chance to own one of the cleanest, most original Kawasaki LTD1000s on the market today.

Call us with any questions. We’re happy to help.
Buy with confidence. Ride with pride.

Thank you for Looking—and God Bless America.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.