question before I commit

I am looking at a couple of potential bikes to purchase. I have been off a bike for a few years but I know what I like in a bike, kind of:D What I am curious of is a 1981 kz1100. Is it a reliable bike? And do you think that it would be not only a good commuter bike but also a good bike for one-up touring? Or is it too much bike? Honesty is better for me than blowing smoke. I don't want to put money in a money pit bike or get on something that will keep me in constant trouble with Johnny Law.

Anything THAT old isn't going to be THAT reliable. It was a good bike in its day but any bike after that many years is going to have a lot of nit-noid little problems. If you want something reliable, I wouldn't go any farther back than about 10 years. It would probably do what you want it to but you will have lots of little issues along with wet dish-rag handling.