Just back from 1st ride this year :-)

Thank you, Kofla!

( Yes, went well so far,...another 3 holes in my well maintened body..

I have had my riders out and riding in the last 2 weeks.
They all did well enuf that I took the long way home on all off them, except the 5HP Motovox/Honda, it stays home...

Nice looking DT400 Dan! Nothing beats an old "stump-pulling" torque monster Big CC Yamaha 2-stroke. And soo easy to work on, no water-cooling. Have done plenty of the DT, RT and MX versions.  

Visited a very good friend today and helped him with a few electrical problems on his Ducati F1; it was "only" a few corroded plug connections and loose contacts, but now everything works as it should

   First Ride for slmjim since enforced hiatus after exiting the hospital late 2025.  slmjim's last Ride was Aug., 2025.    Been too long...

 

   The Lovely Z1BEBE chose to hang up her daily rider CB750 Nighthawk keys going on 4 yrs. ago.  The last time she rode this, her beloved '75 Z1-B, was a few years before that, so it's been pickled for well over 6 ~7 yrs.  We decided that 2026 is HER Z1's turn.

  We're third owners since buying it in '89.  It was box stock when we bought it except for an obnoxiously loud, open megaphone Kerker 4-1.  Correct 4-4 pipes were found locally the same week we bought it.  We made it into a period-correct, mild custom with Lester mags (16" rear), low bars,  LTD style seat, 1/2" understock Mulholland shocks, complete set of the aftermarket polished aluminum (not chromed), finned motor covers that were a thing ~50 yrs. ago.  The mini case guards are one of the few sets we've ever seen; most are larger.  This was her only bike & daily rider for a few years.  She put ~25K mi. on it herself over her ownership.  She rode it on our second Blue Ridge Parkway / Skyline Drive tour, to a few rallies, and to Orlando for a trip to Disney.

   Brake flush, fuel T's, fresh oil & filter, all the usual spec checks.  It was well tuned when we put it to bed, so not much to do.  It's always had the most pronounced primary gear whine slmjim has ever heard from a Z1.  He rode it sometimes over the years just to listen to the music; it's a perk of being Z1BEBE's wrench.

   For those sharp of eye, the black bar to the rear of the clutch cover is a Kryptonite bike lock in it's stowed position.

   Pic is during a shakedown Ride last weekend.  No problems other than a very slow fuel weep from the petcock nut where it meets the tank bung.  Needs a new O-ring.  Too, slmjim was reminded how thin the padding is under the Rider's butt.  The seat was custom made on a stock pan, so style took priority over comfort at the time.  But our butts were much younger then., and the padding that comes with, ahem..., chronological maturity, doesn't help.  Might have to re-think that seat choice...

   The background is a historic pumping station site of the local water company, built in the late 1800's.  It's on the National Register of Historic Places.  The huge, antique steam-driven water pumps are still within the stone building, restored & kept pristine, gloss white paint, polished brass and all.  The pump flywheels are cast iron, ~25 ft. dia. The steam engines are two stories tall.  Brass oil cups on all the rotating parts really dates it.  Tours are offered occasionally.  Pumping is done by large electric pumps now.
   The tall white tower served as a standpipe in the late 1800's / up to the mid-1900's during the steam decades to absorb the massive water pulses as it was pumped from the river uphill to a reservoir & treatment facility ~3 mi. distant.  The white tower is a water works / water treatment sciences museum now.

   It was a good Ride.  Made slmjim smile.  Been too long...

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE