How long owned

It was early summer 1976 and my then girlfriend went with me to the Yamaha shop for an oil filter for my '73 TX750. They had just rolled the new 750 triple out of the shop after being uncrated. It hadn't even hit the showroom floor. The shop owner asked me if I'd like to take it for a spin. So up the road a few blocks (didn't have much gas in it) and back. My lady said she knew from the grin on my face a new bike would be coming.

Well a few days later a deal on a "used" '76 KZ900 appeared. The owner had driven it 2000 miles and decided to go back to college. (I was in college at the time) So I had him take the Windjammer fairing and bags off and we struck a deal. I couldn't get a loan because I was a student (even though I was working 3 part-time jobs & on the GI Bill). So the girlfriend got the loan for me. I decided then I should buy her an engagement ring.

Well the 900 joined us and the 3 of us have been together for 31 years this year. Of course the bride doesn't ride anymore, but I'll still keep both of them.

Bill (oh after riding the Kaw, I did feel guilty for about 30 minutes for not buying the Yamaha - I think that dealer thought he had a sure sale)

The '78 Z1R I've had since undergrad in '88; it has been thru a TON of stuff (a story in itself) and I got real close to selling it three years ago b/c I just never rode it. My wife (of 2 years at that time) asked me why I was selling it and I told her b/c it was worth quite a bit and a guy from Kansas City was going to pony up for a big chunk o' change for it. She said that she liked the way I looked at it and the money would come and go, but that she sort of liked it, too. My wife and my Z1R are the same age...it's a God-thing man...I ain't fightin' it. So, the Z1R has been with me for almost 20yrs and it ain't going anywhere.

The 'J' is probably going to stay...plus it's in the middle of a project so who'd want it. And the ELR is a keeper even though it's a 'clone' and it's in the middle of getting "fightered" with ZX7R suspension stuff. The GS1150ES...hmmmmm...the verdict is out on that b/c it's been with me for about 10 yrs but I'm just getting it running...we'll see. The CB9/11F was a gift and isn't close to being done, yet...again, who'd want it. The two little Hawks are endearing and we'll probably always keep one for the wife, but if somebody had to have the other one, money talks. The one GPz1100 is just a frame for reference and extra body parts put away. The GS1000 is a project that lacks a lot, anyone could have it for next to nothing...but that's what it's worth...next to nothing. The Seca 900 I've had for 10 yrs, but I'm not locked into it...another distant project.

...and that's about it. So, keeping the Z1R, the 'J', the ELR clone, ... everything else is subjective.

Oh, one more thing...I think I want one of those new Z1000s...no kidding. First generation ('03) or the latest, I like them both. I like ZRXs also, but they don't just burn a hole in your retina...know what I mean? Z1Rs do that...they burn a hole in your retina...ELRs too...

Post edited by: Bad Kaw, at: 2007/07/18 01:17

Dr Zed wrote:

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've never heard of an 80 Z1R called a MK II before. Is this an Ausie thing or do I just lead a sheltered life?

Euros and Canadians I think. I have a side-plate off an orange-ish colored one that I picked up in a salvage years ago. I had to have it b/c I'd never seen an emblem that said "Z1R II" before. It's around here somewhere but I think it says "KZ1000 Z1R II" and the "Z1R II" is under the "KZ1000" ... something like that.

Again with the faulty memory...

Euros and Canadians I think. I have a side-plate off an orange-ish colored one that I picked up in a salvage years ago. I had to have it b/c I'd never seen an emblem that said "Z1R II" before. It's around here somewhere but I think it says "KZ1000 Z1R II" and the "Z1R II" is under the "KZ1000" ... something like that.

Yep, they were all like that up here in the Great White North. The '78 badge said "KZ100" with "Z1R" just below it, but included in the same badge. I don't believe I've ever seen the 1980 side cover badge, though. Any of you Canucks or Germans on here got a pic of the 1980 Z1R side cover badge ??