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How far have you all ridden your old KZs (on 1 trip)
- snorules
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22 May 2008 17:13 #215192
by snorules
1980 KZ550C (daily rider)
1981 KZ1000J (bagger project in progress)
1981 GS1100 (future dragbike)
1978 Z1R (not mine yet, but trying to work out a deal to acquire it).
How far have you all ridden your old KZs (on 1 trip) was created by snorules
I'm getting ready to go down to Gulf Shores, AL for a vacation. I'm planning on riding my 1980 550 ltd since my KZ1000 project is far from finished. It's 317 miles 1 way down there, never ridden more than 100 miles at a time before. I'm excited (and a little nervous at the same time). My bike is in awesome shape, and I commute 45 miles 1 way to work on it everyday. My wife will be riding 2 up with me some of the way, and in our chase car (friend's mustang) the rest. Anyone take 250 mile + trips on their old kaw's, any suggestions besides the normal maintainance stuff? I also just put new tires on her 100 miloes ago, so should be good in that department.
1980 KZ550C (daily rider)
1981 KZ1000J (bagger project in progress)
1981 GS1100 (future dragbike)
1978 Z1R (not mine yet, but trying to work out a deal to acquire it).
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- jordan
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22 May 2008 17:55 - 26 Jun 2008 00:53 #215204
by jordan
KZ810 streetfighter kz/gpz/gsxr
1983 gs1100e
1979 KZ 1000 1428 dragbike project
1974 kawasaki H1 500 sold
1972 Kawasaki s2 350-parted on ebay
1973 Kawasaki s2 350-parted on ebay
1982 kz750(sold)
1978 kz650 hardtail(sold)
1975 honda xl250-sold
1971 yamaha R5-sold
1982 yamaha xs400
Replied by jordan on topic How far have you all ridden your old KZs (on 1 trip)
No problem for an old kaw! A friend of mine has made 2-3 trips on his 4-cyl 750 to sturgis and back. From my house sturgis is probably 350+ miles. I guess last year we had to take a minor pit stop because his bike was leaking alot of oil from the tach output on the head.
Here is a picture of his bike being loaded up after his oil leak. Notice that I made sure to capture the trailor in the background. We broke down out in the middle of nowhere on the reservation!
Here is a picture of his bike being loaded up after his oil leak. Notice that I made sure to capture the trailor in the background. We broke down out in the middle of nowhere on the reservation!
KZ810 streetfighter kz/gpz/gsxr
1983 gs1100e
1979 KZ 1000 1428 dragbike project
1974 kawasaki H1 500 sold
1972 Kawasaki s2 350-parted on ebay
1973 Kawasaki s2 350-parted on ebay
1982 kz750(sold)
1978 kz650 hardtail(sold)
1975 honda xl250-sold
1971 yamaha R5-sold
1982 yamaha xs400
Attachments:
Last edit: 26 Jun 2008 00:53 by kzrider. Reason: Pic size
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- jordan
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22 May 2008 17:56 #215205
by jordan
KZ810 streetfighter kz/gpz/gsxr
1983 gs1100e
1979 KZ 1000 1428 dragbike project
1974 kawasaki H1 500 sold
1972 Kawasaki s2 350-parted on ebay
1973 Kawasaki s2 350-parted on ebay
1982 kz750(sold)
1978 kz650 hardtail(sold)
1975 honda xl250-sold
1971 yamaha R5-sold
1982 yamaha xs400
Replied by jordan on topic How far have you all ridden your old KZs (on 1 trip)
for those of you wondering, yes the bike in the pik is a 750. Although it does have non-vacuum style carbs removed from a 650, and a tank from a 1000.
KZ810 streetfighter kz/gpz/gsxr
1983 gs1100e
1979 KZ 1000 1428 dragbike project
1974 kawasaki H1 500 sold
1972 Kawasaki s2 350-parted on ebay
1973 Kawasaki s2 350-parted on ebay
1982 kz750(sold)
1978 kz650 hardtail(sold)
1975 honda xl250-sold
1971 yamaha R5-sold
1982 yamaha xs400
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- snorules
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22 May 2008 18:03 #215206
by snorules
1980 KZ550C (daily rider)
1981 KZ1000J (bagger project in progress)
1981 GS1100 (future dragbike)
1978 Z1R (not mine yet, but trying to work out a deal to acquire it).
Replied by snorules on topic How far have you all ridden your old KZs (on 1 trip)
Nice... FOrtulatly I recently replaced my tach seal...lol I think it's going to be an awesome trip. Hope the weather cooperates
1980 KZ550C (daily rider)
1981 KZ1000J (bagger project in progress)
1981 GS1100 (future dragbike)
1978 Z1R (not mine yet, but trying to work out a deal to acquire it).
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- RonKZ650
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22 May 2008 18:52 #215212
by RonKZ650
321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
Replied by RonKZ650 on topic How far have you all ridden your old KZs (on 1 trip)
Most already know my trips. Longest was 10,800 miles in 13 days back in 1991 on the 79 KZ1000MKII. Of course in 1991 it was only a 12 yr old KZ :laugh: I always rode alone and packed everything but the kitchen sink. 2 gallons of spare gas, few quarts of oil, spare spark plugs, tire goop in case of a flat tire, also tire irons, spare tubes, spare headlight bulb and other bulbs, spare chain, plenty of tools. Of course if riding double you probably can't pack this much. Be sure and lube the chain frequently, take plenty of spare clothes. Even in the Summer I'd pack 3 or 4 sets of extra Winter gloves, 2 or 3 jackets get one of those mesh Vent-Tech for hot weather because if you ride coatless, you'll get dehydrated, spare set of shoes or boots ect. Longest I went on a KZ650 was 3200 miles and that was well enough of that. For long road trips a 1000 or bigger is definately the way to go, so on a 550 you may get a little tired of the road, but best of luck. I enjoyed my long trips. 10 straight years went on a 4000 mile plus ride each Summer. Those were the days.
321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
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- KZQ
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- Walking Behind the Corn May Not Be All That!
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22 May 2008 19:26 #215219
by KZQ
www.KZ1300.com
Riders:
1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300
Replied by KZQ on topic How far have you all ridden your old KZs (on 1 trip)
By my reckoning the longest trip I ever made on my KZ900 was 1050 miles round trip from Portland Oregon to Glacier National Park and back.
KZCSI
KZCSI
www.KZ1300.com
Riders:
1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300
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- steell
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22 May 2008 19:35 - 22 May 2008 19:40 #215221
by steell
KD9JUR
Replied by steell on topic How far have you all ridden your old KZs (on 1 trip)
Done a few 650 mile one way in one day trips,
one on H1 500 triple took me two days, but that's
a trip I'd rather not do again.
I'd like to do some longer trips, if I ever get over this falling down streak I seem to be on.
Getting kind of tired of repairing the bike every time also
one on H1 500 triple took me two days, but that's
a trip I'd rather not do again.
I'd like to do some longer trips, if I ever get over this falling down streak I seem to be on.
Getting kind of tired of repairing the bike every time also
KD9JUR
Last edit: 22 May 2008 19:40 by steell.
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- tjhiggin
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23 May 2008 11:08 - 23 May 2008 11:10 #215332
by tjhiggin
T.J. in Huntsville, Alabama
1983 KZ1100-A3, 1974 Honda CB550-4
Previous bikes: CB100, TS125, CB175, KZ400, CB500-4
Replied by tjhiggin on topic How far have you all ridden your old KZs (on 1 trip)
A couple of months ago I did 950 miles on my 1100 in 3 days, including 412 miles in one day:
Spring Break 2008 Casino and Natchez Trace Motorcycle Tour
. (Eight days from now I plan to ride the Tennessee part of the Trace. )
I only did normal maintenance for the trip, and did not carry much in the way of tools or spare parts.
I'd recommend some sort of windshield if you don't already have one. The wind can really wear you out on a long trip.
Stay off the interstates if you can. They're boring, and the buzzing of a 550 at interstate speeds wouldn't be any fun for long; it sure isn't on my CB550. My friend Steve with the Victory also has a GPz550 he rode for 100 miles on the interstate once. "Never again," he said.
Have a great trip!
I only did normal maintenance for the trip, and did not carry much in the way of tools or spare parts.
I'd recommend some sort of windshield if you don't already have one. The wind can really wear you out on a long trip.
Stay off the interstates if you can. They're boring, and the buzzing of a 550 at interstate speeds wouldn't be any fun for long; it sure isn't on my CB550. My friend Steve with the Victory also has a GPz550 he rode for 100 miles on the interstate once. "Never again," he said.
Have a great trip!
T.J. in Huntsville, Alabama
1983 KZ1100-A3, 1974 Honda CB550-4
Previous bikes: CB100, TS125, CB175, KZ400, CB500-4
Last edit: 23 May 2008 11:10 by tjhiggin.
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- Skyman
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- 1978 KZ1000-B2 LTD 1982 KZ1000-M2 CSR
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23 May 2008 11:22 #215336
by Skyman
West Linn, OR
Replied by Skyman on topic How far have you all ridden your old KZs (on 1 trip)
I've done several one-day 500 milers on my Kaws. Every year, 2nd Saturday in May, the Rose City MC Club here in Portland hosts the Oregon 500, a one-day road rally. Every year, it draws about 300-400 riders.
Every year offers a different route. Sometimes they go to the coast, sometimes up the Columbia River Gorge, sometimes out to the desert, mountains. You never know where you're going until the day of the event. The route is usually broken up into 4-5 legs, and they only give you directions one leg at a time.
I've done this every year for the past 5-6 years, except I missed it this year. Other things going, and I couldn't do it this time.
The first few years I did it, I rode my KZ440. The first two years, I won a plaque for having the smallest bike in the field. Then some guys started doing it on 125cc bikes. :blink:
These days, I do it with one of my KZ1000s. Last year, I came close to winning the "oldest bike" prize with my '78. The winner rode a '76 BMW, I think. I just checked the results for this year's ride. The winner rode a '70 Moto Guzzi.
Every year offers a different route. Sometimes they go to the coast, sometimes up the Columbia River Gorge, sometimes out to the desert, mountains. You never know where you're going until the day of the event. The route is usually broken up into 4-5 legs, and they only give you directions one leg at a time.
I've done this every year for the past 5-6 years, except I missed it this year. Other things going, and I couldn't do it this time.
The first few years I did it, I rode my KZ440. The first two years, I won a plaque for having the smallest bike in the field. Then some guys started doing it on 125cc bikes. :blink:
These days, I do it with one of my KZ1000s. Last year, I came close to winning the "oldest bike" prize with my '78. The winner rode a '76 BMW, I think. I just checked the results for this year's ride. The winner rode a '70 Moto Guzzi.
West Linn, OR
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- Jack
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23 May 2008 11:45 #215345
by Jack
79 KZ 1075 MKll
79 KZ 1500 MKll dragbike
Gone but not forgotten:
3 X 73 Z1's
1 X 74 Z1A
1 X 75 Z1B
Replied by Jack on topic How far have you all ridden your old KZs (on 1 trip)
Best summer of my life - 1976. Took my 75 Z1B from London Ontario to California ,up the west coast of the US and then across Canada. Left in late June,came back for school after Labour Day. Met all kinds of great people and had the experience of a lifetime. I didn't want to be 57 and wishing I had done this while I was still young...
79 KZ 1075 MKll
79 KZ 1500 MKll dragbike
Gone but not forgotten:
3 X 73 Z1's
1 X 74 Z1A
1 X 75 Z1B
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- cafekz750
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23 May 2008 12:20 #215353
by cafekz750
1981 KZ750H2 - V&H 4-1 pipe, pods, jetted, clubmans, homebrew rearsets, 18" rear wheel and more.
Parting out a 1982 KZ750H3 to fund future projects
2 other non-Kawasaki motorcycles
Replied by cafekz750 on topic How far have you all ridden your old KZs (on 1 trip)
In the summer of 2001, I took my KZ750 pictured in my avatar (with superbike bars and no rear-sets) on a trip of 4000 miles in 9 days. Left WI and went up to Jasper, AB, down to Kamloops, BC, over to Glacier National Park, then to Devil's tower and back to WI. Longest day was 675 miles. My tach cable broke the first day, I needed a new rear tire in Calgary (after ~1200 miles; TJ's Cycle salvage where I also got a tach cable) and my chain snapped on the interstate 25 miles outside of Sioux Falls, SD on the last day (fixed in a parking lot). What a blast! The KZ's can take it.
1981 KZ750H2 - V&H 4-1 pipe, pods, jetted, clubmans, homebrew rearsets, 18" rear wheel and more.
Parting out a 1982 KZ750H3 to fund future projects
2 other non-Kawasaki motorcycles
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- OKC_Kent
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23 May 2008 13:01 #215364
by OKC_Kent
Oklahoma City, OK
78 KZ650 B2 82,000+ miles
Replied by OKC_Kent on topic How far have you all ridden your old KZs (on 1 trip)
I've done a couple 400 mile days, one 500 mile day, and a mess of 200-300 mile days. My trips have been a 3day 800 miler and a 3 day 1000 miler.
On a 650 with a beaded seat pad, and Monkey Butt powder:lol: :lol:
On a 650 with a beaded seat pad, and Monkey Butt powder:lol: :lol:
Oklahoma City, OK
78 KZ650 B2 82,000+ miles
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