TOPIC:

I've got a 2000 ZRX1100.
Always wanted a GPZ, ELR etc.
So when the ZRXs came out, always liked them.
Bought mine in 2017.
Prefer the white on top stripe tail of the 1999 model, so bought one. 
Then a '99 fairing.
There are many more aftermarket goodies available for the ZRX than the KZs, so most of my riding and wrenching is on the ZRX.
Plus with 131,000+ Kms on the KZ, the ZRX has more life left in it.
Although she's catching up with just over 98,000 kms.

First year I had the ZRX.
With purple stripe on top. Makes the tail look too purple from the side in my opinion:

Later years:

I did other stuff to the Bandit, got a smoked taillight with integrated turn signals. Had a couple tiny ones from an old project so added them to the fender. Also cut down the fender and made a plate for license plate (got a hugger fender for so didn't need the full fender anymore; needs paint so not installed yet). All came out pretty good.

ZRX1100/1200 seem really nice. I almost bought a red 1200 a couple years ago. Looked at it then found it had a salvage title. Owner said he didn't know about that, something must have happened with previous owner. So I backed off even though price was decent.

Maybe a little crazy, but I was after a red/white/black bike. I would have have changed that blue/purple stripe to black. Reason why is a helmet I got back in ancient history. Maybe some on here can remember racer Dale Singleton. The very first Arai helmet signature model was for him with his red/white/black colors. Loved that helmet but it was stolen when I was in the Air Force stationed in the Philippines. Ever since then, all my gear for motorcycles/sports/whatever I've got red/white/black.

Anyway, I did get a red/white/black bike fall of 2021. Here it is and it's badass in my opinion:
 

As much as I loved the old KZs, it's amazing how things have progressed over the last 45yrs. I have a 2008 GL1800 goldwing with nearly 100,000 miles, and a 2017 Yamaha Super Tenere 1200. Close to 60,000 miles on the Yamaha. Neither of these miles are close to considered high in the least with a modern motorcycle, where 100,000 or even 60,000 was pretty rare on an old Z.
 

This is my “other” bike. I am perfectly content for the purple tone above the white.
 Like nearly every other ZRX out there, mine is completely stock.  

 

Apart from my Z1R 78, GPZ Frankenstein 81, and a GPZ1100A 83 (being rebuilt) I have a totally standard FJ1200 89 for work and another FJ1200 for play on the weekends. The reason for the FJ is they are super reliable and cheap to fix, in Australia you can get a good FJ for A$4000/$4500. These things handle incredible regardless the Kawasaki's are still my favourite rides
   

This is the other project my son and I are working on. It was given to us by my wife’s uncle as he can’t ride anymore. 1976 BMW R75/6 with 32000 original miles. It was stored well for 5 years. 
It is quite different working on it compared to our Kawasaki’s. We have spent two summers chasing down all the gremlins and we seem to have 99% reliable now. 
The hardest thing to get used to while riding it is it has a dry clutch. And pulling the clutch handle in really gives you a workout. 

Long long ago, after my 18th birthday, my dad gave me a Yamaha RD 125cc twin... at last I had officially graduated from the 50cc class, having ridden the pants off my Kawasaki AR 50 A1 for two years.  
The "ring ding ding" sound, and "kick" of the very distinct power band that twins  exhibit, was indelibly etched into my memory.
Soon after collage I left "civi street" for Military service, leaving that RD behind forever...
​​​​
Fast forward 37 years...

While at my local Kawa dealer, shopping for parts for my GPz550 D1, I spotted, in far back of the shop, a machine that I somehow recognised, from the same era as that RD 125. An era of two stroke 500cc racing that was simply marvellous.

The bike had been severely mistreated, mutilated even... into a parts delivery bike, but still I recognised it... 
It was a 1979 Suzuki GT 200 X5 ! 
It had been languishing there, gathering dust, un-loved, for 26 years.

I had to have it! 
The shop owner agreed, quite unemotionally, to let me have it for a reasonable price.
I hired a bike trailer and she was home that same afternoon.

​​​​​​The restoration is a ”work-in-progress” and the following (long) picture collage describes the process.. 
Hunting for parts from all over the world, designing and making replica items, painting, fixing... Love it all...
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Engine rebuild is up next, as most of the parts have been acquired...

 

Let's see, we have to install the new starter solenoid in the 84' Honda Sabre 700S. Figure out if it was a bad fuel petcock that flooded the crankcase with gas on Glen's 81' Suzuki GS 1100E. Pull the carbs off the 82' Honda CB 900F to change jets for the new exhaust. Waiting for the head and cylinders to come back from the machine shop for the 74' Honda CB 550 K0. Fully disassemble the 83' Honda CB 1100F and resurrect it. And finish assembling the 78' Kawasaki KL 250 for the boy.

Nothing much really, we have been working on bikes like this since 2017. My best friend from high school and I started our joint collection with 3 running and 1 dead bike, now we have 12. We've stopped buying dead bikes and are getting to the point where we just have to ride and maintain them.

My wife had a GPz 550 that was some fun. Sadly, she sold it on, and now she misses it

 

I also had an RD400 in high school and when the chance came up to "relive" those days... I just couldn't say NO

   

I also had a ZRX in an attempt to replace my long lost ELR 

 

A race bike always takes time on the bench as well

 

 

Man you guys just don't have enough going on   I'm struggling to find the time to "get one done". It's great to remember my youth seeing these "old 2 smokes" (RD's, KH's, GT's etc were the go to hot rods of the day for a 17 year olds) 

Wookie58 wrote:

Man you guys just don't have enough going on 

 I'm struggling to find the time to "get one done". It's great to remember my youth seeing these "old 2 smokes" (RD's, KH's, GT's etc were the go to hot rods of the day for a 17 year olds) 

Wookie, at one time we (my wife & I ) had 12 motorcycles registered, running & insured... at the same time. It's not worth the trouble. We are (thankfully) down to 2. One each right now. She still has her BIG gpz and I have my GS. Ride for fun, not wrench to ride. Or something like that.