2 Kawasaki friends died last week
- RonKZ650
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 3711
- Thanks: 247
2 Kawasaki friends died last week
30 Mar 2013 13:22
Two of my old friends of 35 years died.
Ernie Fitzgerald had a new Z1R-TC and drag raced back in the late 70s to early 80s and was one heck of a nice guy. Ernie was 79
John Block bought the green 1977 KZ650 in my avatar brand new and built the 740cc engine and I was eventually able to purchase it from him for a measley $600 because he was one heck of a nice guy too. John was 69 I believe or thereabouts.
John bought the KZ650 new, eventually sold it, then some time later he saw it for sale at a Kawasaki dealer, bought it back, then eventually sold it, then later was able to buy it back from that guy, then I got it and told him keep his grimey hands off! You're "not" going to buy it back from me!
Two good guys, both died from smoking related illness.
Ernie Fitzgerald had a new Z1R-TC and drag raced back in the late 70s to early 80s and was one heck of a nice guy. Ernie was 79
John Block bought the green 1977 KZ650 in my avatar brand new and built the 740cc engine and I was eventually able to purchase it from him for a measley $600 because he was one heck of a nice guy too. John was 69 I believe or thereabouts.
John bought the KZ650 new, eventually sold it, then some time later he saw it for sale at a Kawasaki dealer, bought it back, then eventually sold it, then later was able to buy it back from that guy, then I got it and told him keep his grimey hands off! You're "not" going to buy it back from me!

Two good guys, both died from smoking related illness.
321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Mcdroid
-
- Away
- User
- Gone Kwackers
- Posts: 6704
- Thanks: 364
Re: 2 Kawasaki friends died last week
30 Mar 2013 14:59
RIP...
Michael
Victoria, Texas
1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A
Victoria, Texas
1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Proxy
-
- Offline
- User
- 80% Human 20% Nuts/Bolts
- Posts: 513
- Thanks: 46
Re: 2 Kawasaki friends died last week
30 Mar 2013 15:11
Condolences Ron. Lets hope our MC buddies and friends are waiting for us at the gate with the keys to a Brand new KZ Cloud machine of our favorite color and size. Sidecars for our animals or spouses too. If you want.
Take it from me cuz I found
If you leave it then somebody else is bound,
To find that treasure, that moment of pleasure,
When yours, it could have been.
1977 KZ650 B1 Being restored to original (Green)
1977 KZ650 B1 Original (Red) Sold
1977 KZ650 B1 Donor Bike for Parts
If you leave it then somebody else is bound,
To find that treasure, that moment of pleasure,
When yours, it could have been.
1977 KZ650 B1 Being restored to original (Green)
1977 KZ650 B1 Original (Red) Sold
1977 KZ650 B1 Donor Bike for Parts
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- trianglelaguna
-
- Offline
- User
- New and improved - extra strength
- Posts: 8724
- Thanks: 236
Re: 2 Kawasaki friends died last week
30 Mar 2013 18:57
ride on...R.I.P
1976 KZ900
2003 ZX12R
2007 FZ1000
2004 ninja 250R for wife
2003 ZX12R
2007 FZ1000
2004 ninja 250R for wife
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- ramtough_63
-
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 2559
- Thanks: 132
Re: 2 Kawasaki friends died last week
30 Mar 2013 19:39
Sorry to hear condolences RIP
1978 KZ1000 A2
Thrown Together To Ride Til Winter
Facebook Page
Free Range Custom Art
1982/83 750R/GPZ
1984 Goldwing 1200 Interstate
1982 Yamahopper QT50
Previous
2 79 HD sporty XLH
02 HD FLSTS Heritage
60's HD Hummer
70's Honda 550 Four
70 Yamaha 100
and various enduros dirtbikes minibikes...
Thrown Together To Ride Til Winter
Facebook Page
Free Range Custom Art
1982/83 750R/GPZ
1984 Goldwing 1200 Interstate
1982 Yamahopper QT50
Previous
2 79 HD sporty XLH
02 HD FLSTS Heritage
60's HD Hummer
70's Honda 550 Four
70 Yamaha 100
and various enduros dirtbikes minibikes...
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- 650ed
-
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 15343
- Thanks: 2830
Re: 2 Kawasaki friends died last week
30 Mar 2013 20:20
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- bluej58
-
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
- The chrome don't get you home
- Posts: 2481
- Thanks: 511
Re: 2 Kawasaki friends died last week
30 Mar 2013 22:19
Sorry Ron , cigarettes suck
78 KZ1000 A2A
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- boatdrinks
-
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 469
- Thanks: 54
Re: 2 Kawasaki friends died last week
30 Mar 2013 22:43
Sorry to hear of your loss. May they rest in the peace of God's arms.
Charles
Madison, AL
1978 KZ650 B2A, Luminous Dark Blue
Madison, AL
1978 KZ650 B2A, Luminous Dark Blue
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Charles Nix
-
- Offline
- User
- 1981 kz 1000c4
- Posts: 107
- Thanks: 5
Re: 2 Kawasaki friends died last week
30 Mar 2013 23:43Attachment Picture383.jpg not found
Godspeed ,great brothers on great bikes.
Attachments:
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- loudhvx
-
- Offline
- KZr Legend
- Posts: 10864
- Thanks: 1618
Re: 2 Kawasaki friends died last week
31 Mar 2013 03:18
Sorry to hear that Ron. Great story on the green 650. I'm sure he knew it was in good hands.
1981 KZ550 D1 gpz.
Kz550 valve train warning.
Other links.
Kz550 valve train warning.
Other links.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- donthaveakawman
-
- User
- Thanks: 0
Re: 2 Kawasaki friends died last week
31 Mar 2013 03:47
69 and 79, very few people have lived that long anyways much less die of cigarette related illness there is greener pastures on the other side. rest in peace
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- roy-b-boy-b
-
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 3255
- Thanks: 103
Re: 2 Kawasaki friends died last week
31 Mar 2013 21:39
Just read this. Sorry for the loss of your friends.
I don't want to miss the meet at Ohio because of the friends I have made there and want to see them as much as I can. We are not getting any younger.
I don't want to miss the meet at Ohio because of the friends I have made there and want to see them as much as I can. We are not getting any younger.
1979 LTD Street Fighter.1977 KZ1000
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.