Greetings from Madison, WI
- Astrin
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Greetings from Madison, WI
14 Jul 2011 15:43
Hiya, KZ folks! I'm back in the fold now after, oh, 24 years. I had a 1978 KZ400-B1 in grad school, great bike, and my (now) wife and I used to two-up motocamp on it in New England, which seems nearly impossible now. Bicycle panniers, luggage rack with tent and bags, and she wore a backpack. We had a blast!
Now we're hardcore BMW people - my wife and I tour and camp and go to rallies on a 1991 K75RT, the bike I dreamed about back when I had the KZ400. (The quote on my sig is from a letter to Cycle World about their review of the revolutionary K100.) I'm active in the Madison BMW Club and am currently the VP and webmaster.
I also like to ride track days, and have a track-only 2001 GSX-R600 for that purpose.
BUT, my wife has recently taken the MSF course and is now licensed to ride motorcycles, and I picked up a sweet 1983 KZ440 LTD Belt (D5) that fits her small body. A proper lady's mini-cruiser. It's all stock, and I threw a pair of Dunlops on it. I've really enjoyed the return to KZ maintenance, such simple bikes, like working on a bicycle, not to mention that warm sound of the old twin. I've synched the carbs, set the valve clearances, ran a fair bit of Sea Foam through it, bled the brake line, replaced three cables, charged the battery, and it runs great. I'm planning to replace the headlamp with a Candlepower H4 bulb unit so I can put a bright xenon in there, we'll probably move the front turn signals to stems out of the headlamp like a lot of other KZ's, we bought a National deflector shield for it, and I just bought a luggage rack.
So, no major mods for now, but a nice solid bike for commuting and day rides.
Now we're hardcore BMW people - my wife and I tour and camp and go to rallies on a 1991 K75RT, the bike I dreamed about back when I had the KZ400. (The quote on my sig is from a letter to Cycle World about their review of the revolutionary K100.) I'm active in the Madison BMW Club and am currently the VP and webmaster.
I also like to ride track days, and have a track-only 2001 GSX-R600 for that purpose.
BUT, my wife has recently taken the MSF course and is now licensed to ride motorcycles, and I picked up a sweet 1983 KZ440 LTD Belt (D5) that fits her small body. A proper lady's mini-cruiser. It's all stock, and I threw a pair of Dunlops on it. I've really enjoyed the return to KZ maintenance, such simple bikes, like working on a bicycle, not to mention that warm sound of the old twin. I've synched the carbs, set the valve clearances, ran a fair bit of Sea Foam through it, bled the brake line, replaced three cables, charged the battery, and it runs great. I'm planning to replace the headlamp with a Candlepower H4 bulb unit so I can put a bright xenon in there, we'll probably move the front turn signals to stems out of the headlamp like a lot of other KZ's, we bought a National deflector shield for it, and I just bought a luggage rack.
So, no major mods for now, but a nice solid bike for commuting and day rides.
Sam Hokin - Santa Fe, NM
1991 BMW K75RT road | 1983 KZ440 cafe toy | 2006 SV-650 track
"BMWs are slugs, for gentleman riders who are also slugs." -- letter to Cycle World, 1984
1991 BMW K75RT road | 1983 KZ440 cafe toy | 2006 SV-650 track
"BMWs are slugs, for gentleman riders who are also slugs." -- letter to Cycle World, 1984
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- Mcdroid
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- Gone Kwackers
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Re: Greetings from Madison, WI
14 Jul 2011 16:25 - 14 Jul 2011 16:25
Welcome Astrin, welcome back. Madison, eh? Spent a few evenings there...drinking. Went to a Jefferson Airplane concert in the Fieldhouse...do you hang out with Peter Egan?
Michael
Victoria, Texas
1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A
Victoria, Texas
1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A
Last edit: 14 Jul 2011 16:25 by Mcdroid.
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- apbling
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Re: Greetings from Madison, WI
14 Jul 2011 16:31
Welcome! I spent 5 drunken years down in Madison...good times.
Seems to be the commong thread... Madtown and Partying
Seems to be the commong thread... Madtown and Partying

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