How long owned

I see that some on here have owned their bikes since new, just wondering how many found the bike that they are going to keep, and how many are still looking for that special bike, or are you the guy that finds a wreck, fixes it, and turns a profit. I found mine (78 Z1R) in 80, totaled with only 52 miles on it, someone, dealer or owner, spent the time and money to repaint it clear coated black and hand painted gold pinstriping. No idea if whoever wrecked it lived or not, but it hit something pretty hard. Forks were bent (still are ) lower tree bent, top tree broken, fairing & windsheild & dash, rear plastic broken. Seat pan, gas tank, and frame under seat bent. Started as a fix and sell, but havn't sold it yet :whistle: :laugh:

I just picked up a 77 KZ900 which has had some mods(overbore, 4-1 pipes, custom paint etc.)I love the bike but am still looking for a near original Z900 74-76.
I will sell this bike when the right one comes along at thr right price.
PS. I may go for a KZ1300 if one comes along. Any input on the 1300 is welcomed.

Well, both my KZ1000A's will eventually be released to new owners...the GPz's I'll keep, and I'm looking for a 1973-5 Z1 to give it a permanent home.

I have two old kaws,the one is a 82 kz1000j that is now painted green and the other is an 82 gpz1100. The J i bought in 1989 and the gpz i've had a couple of years.They will be in the family for a while, i heard my 3 kids aged 11 and twins 8 discussing today who was going to get what bike when i die. Kawasaki kz fans forever.

Post edited by: rpkaw, at: 2007/07/15 08:21

I bought my KZ back in 81 and have no intention of selling it at any time in the future.

I bought my KZ650C1 new in April 1977 after riding a heavily modified '63 BSA for 11 years. I still love this machine and still consider it to be my "new" bike. After riding the BSA (Gary Nixon 500 Cyclone factory competition twin on a B40 (350 single) frame) for so long I came to appreciate riding an unmodified bike. Ed

I bought the first 1978 KZ650 new July 1978, my 1974 H2 July 1979, the KZ1000MKII August of 1983. The rest came in the 90s. I got real lucky on the 1000MKII getting a virtually brand new bike with 500 miles on it for $2000. I'd die before ever selling any of them.

My 650/810 was bought new by my older brother in the spring of 1977. He was 18 years old at the time and I was just about to turn 16.

I bought it from him in 1982, put on K & N filters, a Yoshimura pipe, Dunlop K81 Tires painted it black with an orange and yellow strip like the Turbo Z1R. I drove the wheels off of it for a few years then sold it, much to my brother's chagrin.

He died in 1989 and I eventually tracked it down. It was a basketcase when I picked it up for $125 from some young guy who fancied the air brush mural of a devil motorcycle rider on the tank. The bike was sad to look and it sat outside my garage rotting even further for the next decade.

My son and I restored it over the winter of 2003-2004. It was nice to spend the time with him and educate him about this uncle whom he never met.

I have over 1000 hours into the bike as it stands today. I will never sell it as it is a link to the memory of my older brother.

Cheers-Colin Firth-Ontario Canada

I purchased my '81 KZ750 April of '06. I don't have any immediate intention of selling it unless the right offer comes around.

I purchased my current Z1R MK 11 new in September 1979, and another in July '80 (17,000 kms) still got both...sell them , NO WAY !!!!

I bought my '74 Z1 in '78. Had a wreck on her in '79 or '80, bought a new frame, put her back together and rode her for a few more years. She's been sitting awhile, but, I am buying parts and slowly restoring my baby.