KZ owners?

Gas prices being what they are I went out and purchased a low-budget commuter for $1300. So far so good, burns a little oil, but is damn comfy and smooth on the road. Only 23k on the ticker.

Any other KZ owners here? Mine's a 1980 KZ1000 Shaft, all Vettered out.

'85 KZ750 LTD here, lovin my shaft drive, not loving the fork seals, and lovin the MSF class starting tomorrow...

Its a bitch finding info on my 750 though. Gotta find stuff at the right time on ebay when I actually have money to burn.

While goin' to school, I rode a KZ750 twin. She was my only bike for 9 years and was pretty reliable. It handled with a hinge in the middle, but I have fond memories of riding her...styling inspired by the R90S.

You should check out the KZ owner's forum: www.kzrider.com
Nice people over there.

Sweet, thanks for the link.

My first bike was a 78 KZ650 (orange, spoke wheels) that I bought off my best friend. Sold it to a frat boy in San Diego who promptly stacked into the back of a parked car despite my warning him of the "hinge" in the middle!

I have an 80 KZ750, previous owner named her Bitch for her temperment, and I know why now. Love the bike nonetheless, but hate the range. What was Kawasaki thinking putting a 12.5Litre tank on a 750. If I wanted 150KM range before hitting the reserve I woulda bought a Harley.

(oops. can I take that back. Harley bashing isn't 'til tomorrow.)

Yup, a KZ750 twin was my second bike. Hands-down the most evil-handling beast I've ever owned, bar none.

I have two KZ440 LTDs and a 2002 KZ1000P currently.

Ooops, must have been tired, make that KZ700, offically known as 700 LTD, goes by many names, is still a bitch to find info on, but I still love it, even if it didn't pass inspection, the pissy excuse of a bike.

Thread killer:

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/784376857.html

What a shame.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

What about the original? (Pic taken 6/06!)

BC

I had a 78 KZ650 and a 79 KZ1000. At the same time in 1980. Rode the crap out of them.

75 Z1B here. I'm about midway down this page:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51908&page=41

In addition to KZRider, you'll also find a lot of KZ enthusiasts at the Beartooth Kawasaki forum. We all hang out in the Vintage section there.

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/index.php

Wowzers! :eek1

Berry berry nice.

Hey guys this is my first shaft drive bike. I need to take off the rear wheel to get some new rubber. How do I do it? Anyone know of a walk-thru? Looks to be a bit of a pain.

This one will be arriving at my door middle of October. I'll document the cleanup/resto when i get it. Cant wait!!

I had an 81 GPZ1100 that was "smiled on". I put 75k on this bike over the years I owned it. I currently have a 75 KZ900 project bike that needs plenty of attention.

My first bike:

Hi,

Beautiful pic...! Had one identical - year, color, everything.

I'm a former owner of a 1979 KZ-650c3, and a 1984 GPz-550.

Put about 47k miles on the KZ, including a trip down extreme 4WD Schofield Pass; and about 28k miles on the GPz-550.

Toughest ride in my life was taking the KZ-650c down Schofield Pass, which I did at age 17, just outta HS, after riding about 3 years. With my 23 y/o brother, riding a SOHC Honda CB-750K. I've had lots of adventures since then, but that one.... Shudder.

URL for the story about the ride over Schofield Pass:
http://www.concours.org/co/rpt8008_grosjean.htm

My brother and me:


Schofield Pass road, looking up at what we'd just come down:



River crossing, top of Schofield Pass, KZ-650:



KZ-650c at Pike's Peak, me standing on seat:



I don't have a pic handy of the GPz, though I do have pics. It had the rubber-mounted engine, silver, then I had painted the frame and wheels red. Had a Fox shock on the back, and undercut transmission dogs, and aftermarket brake pads. With sticky tires on concrete, it's the only bike I've owned that could do stoppies, AFAIK. Had a ton of fun with that bike. Have owned maybe a dozen bikes, and ridden 400k miles in my life so far, and the GPz-550, and my BMW R11rs, and my BMW R100gs are in a 3-way tie for my fav bike.

Though the KZ-650 was one hell of a good soldier.... Sigh.

I have a 1981 550GPZ and a kz400 twin. The gpz is a twin shock with big cams (20 degrees more duration than the KZ550) and 10-1 compression. A little tempermental but very smooth and fast. The 400 twin is still a work in progress. Fun bikes. Racer 07

Doug that's an awsome pic at Pikes Peak and a really cool adventure. I can't wait to get mine here.