TOPIC:

Hey folks. I finally signed up as a member after using this site for almost a year. I'm glad to say that you folks have helped me solve a few problems that has plagued my bike for a loooong time.

I'm the proud owner of a 74 400. Its mostly original withthe exeption of the exhaust. The damp weather here in Niagara doesnt allow for long term stamped steel preservation. I got the bike off my Dad who bought it new in '75 from a dealership in Winnipeg. I started riding it when I was 16. (I just turned 42). Its been in storage for a lojng time and withthe current price of fuel, I ressurrected it from the dust. two tires, chain, sprockets, a tank and 4 cans of carb cleaner. (plus hours here searching the forum) its running like a champ!!!

I like it so much, I bought Big Brother! Being the middle aged crisis guy I am, I settled on a 76 KZ900 rather than a corvette (cant afford it) or a mistress (can't afford that either...)

The 900 is work in progress... much has changed from these pics. This winter is painting time. When I'm done, it'll have a 75 Z1 paint job to match my 74.

Wish me luck and thanks again!

I hope I don't mess up the image sizes...


Post edited by: Bic Darklighter, at: 2006/10/23 22:31

cool,welcome to z-jungle!

Welcome BD. 41 here and from Ontario as well.

Good to see your back into riding, and also found yourself a nice KZ900. I'd like to get myself a 900 or 1000 sometime.

We tried to set up a CDN get together in Port Dover for friday the 13th, but the weather wasn't cooperating this October. There are two 13ths next year, April and July. Hope to get a KZR gathering in July as the weather should be much nicer than the flurries we had this past Oct.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Yeah the Dover party turned into a snowball fight by the sounds of it... ugh... But I did have the 900 on the street in time for thanksgiving weekend! I logged 300 miles in between time getting to know Big Brother's mechanical points. Whoever owned it before me already did the electronic ignition conversion as well as 34mm Mikunis. They're CV carbs but not round slide... I havent a clue what they are. (more discoveries to come I'm sure) The Corbin seat is nice but I really miss the old flat seat like my 400. It doesnt put me in my normal riding position. I'm 6'4" and the step in the seat I find is restrictive... but thats just me and years on the 74... Time to hit ebay i guess....

Thank you ppl

I wish I had taken a pic of the 900 when I first brought it home. But I couldnt bring myself to do it. The previous owner, be it a good mechanic, had dressed it up like a Shriners bike with plastic winscreen held on with an assortment of reclaimed hardware as well as a scavenged luggage carrier. I nearly cried when I saw the weld job done to the original grab bar. I've already priced a replacement

I stripped it down as fast as I could! (poor thing...)

Welcome,BIC!
Good job on getting the 400 from Your Dad...way kool!
As for the 900?...atta boy!
You're HOOKED!

The 400 I scooped off my Dad back in 1980. I had just got my license and he had just finished his mid-life crisis

It was a good step up from what I was driving then. a 1972 Piaggio 150

yep a Vespa

Welcome Bic. Hope we Canadian members can get together the next "warm" Friday the 13th. Couldnt do the last one,way too cool for me(no gear- just a jean jacket haha). Hey how does a guy 6'4" fit himself on a 400 anyway? The 900 will be way more comfy I bet.

One of the main reasons I like the bikes with the flat seat is that I can position myself anywhere along it... For many years, my normal riding position was with my feet on the rear pegs.

No wonder when I was a teenager I didnt have many girlfriends

anyone wanna trade an original seat for a Corbin?

Post edited by: Bic Darklighter, at: 2006/10/24 07:55