Blast from the Past

My college era GPz550. In front of the 6-bedroom house near SDSU where we had 13 people but only three parking spaces. I was working as a Limo driver at the time so had to cruise to gigs wearing a tux LOL.

Mikaw wrote: Here’s what I found in a box of old pictures. My first, 1976 900 LTD with spoke wheels, big bore, Z1 28mm carbs, Kerker and Dyna S.
Picture taken early 80’s in front moms house. I might have still been in High School at time of picture. I rode this to school.

A 900 to high school... I had an XL185.

krazee1 wrote: No mirrors must have been Dragstrip trim! Very cool giving Mom a ride. z1kzonly has it right about the front wheel disc. When you stage, you break a beam, when the green light comes on and the beam reconnects the timer starts. The disc gave you a wee bit of a rolling start. Must have been for style points on the rear wheel! I did hear of the discs causing some handling issues at speed with a heavy crosswind.

Mike

Gotcha - thank you. I've spent a little time on dragstrips. I was stationed on Oahu, and the strip there (RIP Hawai'i Raceway Park) had run-whatcha-brung nights .

When I took the GPz550 there weren't any issues with the tree, but maybe not all trees are created equal. Or the cast wheels didn't cause the same issue as the spokes.

Ran a 13.9 and still have the fairing with the white shoe polish numbers on it. :laugh:

1984, just bought the bike and went for a holiday in France / Italy, kids are my French nice and nephew . Everything on the bike was wrong , uses lots of oil enz. but the ride was OK. In 1985 i split the cases for a total rebuild of the engine and went to 1015 cc

Here is another story and motorcycle I wish I could replay the scenerio! I had acquired this early 73 Z1 from a friend that had it sitting apart in a cellar for over 20 yrs. Lets just say it had some different frame #'s The thing was like Hum? stolen out of the guys shed. At least that what he told the authorities and insurance company. Hey whatever? I had nothing to do with it. But I got it for $500 and a Harley FLH paint job. I had a few titles sitting around from drag bikes. I was putting it together, all blacked out like I like and did! Nice early seamless gas tank, black foam seat. hollow cam head with the solid cyl block. Lot of good pieces.
about 2006, I had another lumbar blow out at work, had 1st. surgery in 2000. So needless to say, fighting the system and work insurance comp people. I went 5-6 months without pay! So, this was easy money, had to go!
I did sell it local, told the Guy the deal with the re-stamped #'s. I had it all painted with Dupont single stage black urethane.
This guy Mike something was a strange fellow, Had inherited a Violin / Guitar building resto business from his Dad up on the escartment of Lake Ontario past Niagara Falls. He put thing back to original and had "RALPH" From Paintwokz paint it OEM style. I wrote Ralph an email, saying? How did you like them parts to paint? No clear coat! All Ralph had to do was sand down good. Had a perfect base to do his paint job. Here are the pics before and after. The other guy kept the beautiful HOOKER 4 into 1 header on it.
But I sure wish I did not have to sell that one! even in parts it would have been a gold mine! As then the price of Z1 parts were shooting up! It was, all black, lower legs, grab rail, one of those big chrome chain guards, put Mulholland shocks on it, I remember the odometer had 12,000 on it. Every part was original except for the VIN. Whatever? It is what it is! I did sell it for $3,000. Same bike new owner, who did the right thing and put it together.

Cool story, it would be interesting to know where and what condition it's in today. I forgot that Hooker made pipes for motorcycles.

Mike

Marty, the story is great but I like the improvised motorcycle table made from an old door better. :laugh:

I can't find any photos of some of my early Kawasaki triples from the early 70's. Found some old photos of my '76 KH400 that I started road racing on back in '76. Then some of my long gone KZ1000S1, my GSXR750 LTD, and the KZ1000 MK.II.

Road America 1983 with the S1


1976 or 1977 at Wentzville's now gone Mid AmericaRaceways coming out of Turn 1


1976 or 1977 Wentzville again. Flatout through Turn 2!!!


1982 or 1983 Mid Ohio on the S1.


1986 Me and my GSXR750 LTD at the back of my machinists shop. Big Time party that day!!!


Maybe 1984 or 1985 The MK.II at I.R.P. Last race for the MK.II.

My '74 I purchased during my college days at USF. First picture was in factory trim with the 4 in 4's.



Sporting my rattle can candy apple red paint job with a Kerker and Shoi fairing. Taken at the house my three buddies and I rented. Party central!



The Boys out for a road trip. Three of us had bikes. That is my Kaw in the forefront.



Last incarnation before I sold it in 92.

[quote="Dr. Gamma" p.
Road America 1983 with the S1


1976 or 1977 at Wentzville's now gone Mid AmericaRaceways coming out of Turn 1


Dr.! I don't do or know road racing very well! But this picture here is the Doctor who cut open my spine and fused my lumbar disc's in 2000! And then my Cervical in 2010!
This is the coolest picture I have ever seen of a basically normal type of a street motorcycle! Modified for a race course! I know you have a lot of work into it! But enough said! COOL AS F!
This picture say's it all!!! If someone asks or questions it? They need a slap up side the head!

1976 or 1977 Wentzville again. Flatout through Turn 2!!!


1982 or 1983 Mid Ohio on the S1.


1986 Me and my GSXR750 LTD at the back of my machinists shop. Big Time party that day!!!


Maybe 1984 or 1985 The MK.II at I.R.P. Last race for the MK.II.
[/quote]

This was meant for the last picture! of your post! The Blue Mark II with the 248 on it!

I'm really enjoying the pictures and stories! I think I can come up with some more.

Mike