OT - Saving gas for my tractors

Royse · Mar 30, 2013

At the price of gas, I thought I should save some.
So I picked up a basket case for a winter/spring project.
This is what it looked like today when I rolled it out for my first ride.
Yes, there's still snow on the ground, but temps in the 50's. LOL
Still got some work to do, but its definitely a retro rocket.

Fawteen · Mar 30, 2013

Nice!

I did the same thing last winter with my favorite old bike, a 650 Yamaha.

Tweaked on it a little more this winter, and have it road ready as we type. Might even go for a short putt this afternoon, temp is 52º at the moment

Billy NY · Mar 30, 2013

I know many balk at the rice grinders or did, foreign manufacture, but ones like posted sure were reliable, and easy on the fuel. I still have my 650 maxims, and at one time all I had for a mode of transportation was one of them, got me through, and had a little fun. They've sat for so long in the heated, dry basement, did have stabil in them, but since '93-'94, I cannot imagine what the carbs will take to clean up, given theres one for each cylinder and being sychronized, I have wondered how difficult it would be now to get them running again.

r_d97 · Mar 30, 2013

Cool 650, always loved the look of that bike and my brother had one too. I did my usual for my 81 SR500 that I bought new (new rear tire, clean chain, oil change, paint some parts etc). Weather has been so cold lately even for March although even if it had been nice I would not have been around to ride anyway with trips to Dominican Republic and New Zealand. I have seen 2 cycles out today in southern NY but I am not that tough any more :-(

rrlund · Mar 30, 2013

I just hope it's quieter than those miserable things that go by here. They're out disturbing the peace already.

Royse · Mar 30, 2013

It's quieter than most of the two cylinders, but loud if the rider wants it to be!
Kinda like diesel trucks in that aspect.
I'm getting to old for most of that nonsense anyway, but I still like to ride.
I'm sure one of these days I'll have to give it up.
If I hit one more deer on a bike, I'm done. Alive or not, I'm done.
I've hit two already, and those helicopter rides ain't free!

RayP(MI) · Mar 30, 2013

Dil took one out of orbit, just North of Stanton Thursday night - $1500 damage to her Blazer.
Don"t need to worry about running that one over. However seeing LOTS of other deer all over the place this spring. May be a tough year for the grain/corn/soy farmers.

rrlund · Mar 30, 2013

My brother in law hit one with his Harley about a half a mile east of my house a few years ago. Bent the frame and totaled the bike.

evilboweviel · Mar 30, 2013

real nice Windjammer V on there
got the bags to go with it?

gtractorfan · Mar 30, 2013

The first shaft drive cycle I had was a Yahama Maxim. Felt different when taking off the back end seemed to raise, never experienced that before. The Maxim has a smooth compact 4 cylinder, I traded mine for a 1100 Virago long ago. Still almost like the Maxim better...

Royse · Mar 30, 2013

(quoted from post at 16:30:42 03/30/13) real nice Windjammer V on there
got the bags to go with it?

I like having a windshield, and the original headlight and turn
signals were gone, so I kept the jammer.
I got a set of aftermarket bags with it, not matching.
It also had a Honda GoldWing trunk cobbled on it.
The whole mess would wobble if you pushed on the trunk and
there were so many lights wired up it couldn't charge the battery.
The GoldWing trunk actually amazed me. Looks like its off a 1200.
Chrome luggage rack, hinges and locks are spotless! No key. LOL

RayP(MI) · Mar 30, 2013

Son just came back from a little drive to the back 40 - said 15 or so in the field. Told him to take his pick, tag it for this fall.

Billy NY · Mar 30, 2013

I thought they were a pretty good bike, the hypoid gear case can leak at the seals over time, think one of mine did, I don't ever recall noticing that effect, but I never had a chain drive road bike.

Thinking back, paid $400 for the '81 which has only 9999 miles, and a little more for the '80 maxim, not bad looking relative comfortable, reliable and snappy, easy on fuel. My chevy K10 broke down and I got a ride home, got my bike, tools and parts, repaired the truck and loaded the bike on the back, they were always handy to have around, I just don't like the people on the road nowadays, to dangerous in my opinion.

evilboweivel · Mar 30, 2013

a turbo will really wake it up

Indiana Ken · Mar 30, 2013

Nice bike, I always liked that series. I have a 1979 MK-II which is similar, only chain drive. It was/is my all time favorite bike. I has a place in my garage - I bought it new and put a little over 100,000 miles on it. The engine has never been apart only adjustments and normal maintenance items.

Royse · Mar 30, 2013

(quoted from post at 19:50:11 03/30/13)
Nice bike, I always liked that series. I have a 1979 MK-II which is similar, only chain drive. It was/is my all time favorite bike. I has a place in my garage - I bought it new and put a little over 100,000 miles on it. The engine has never been apart only adjustments and normal maintenance items.

Very similar Ken. This one is a 1980, technically a KZ1000ST E2.
You probably know they made the shaft model only in 1979 and '80.
Shaft drive actually costs a few of the 80+ HP the engine develops,
but its less maintenance. That apparently didn't sell enough of them.
25 years ago I would have tested the speedometer limits myself.
Now a days it might see 75 on a freeway.

CaseDC3 · Mar 30, 2013

Back in 1983 I bought a new Kawasaki Gpz 1100. I loved that bike.
Put a Kerker header on it and drove the hell out of it.
Nice bikes those old Kawasaki's

John_PA · Mar 30, 2013

Nice!

I liked the KZ bikes. I had a 79 KZ650. It was top heavy, but, it rode nice.

How many miles on that 1000?

I have a 1982 GPz750 first year of the Gpz and non-turbo. It's in boxes. frame is sandblasted. Just waiting for me to get off the internet and finish it!

Royse · Mar 30, 2013

I don't know how many miles are on it John.
Speedo has been replaced with a 160 MPH unit.
That one reads 54K, but it wasn't new when it was put on.

John_PA · Mar 31, 2013

It still is a killer bike, no matter how many miles.

If you end up in my neck of the woods, will you let me take it for a ride? I'll be gentle!

Those shaft drive bikes were only made a couple of years. The KZ series... Legendary!

Thanks for posting this, I love to see that "new car smell" type of post. I bet it felt great getting back into the wind. Let us know how you make out when you do get to take it for a good long trip.

Those bikes are a soft spot in my heart. I would marry one if law allows.

larry@stinescorner · Mar 31, 2013

I had a Kawasaki in 1975,a 500 cc ,,,fast ,but didnt handle so good, when everybody was at mc dondalds hanging out I usae to ride up the street next to it doing a wheelie,lucky Im still in one piece!!! lol

fixerupper · Mar 31, 2013

My son killed a deer with his bike a couple of years ago. He could ride the bike home but it was damaged and his leg was super sore. His wife had a fit and I haven't seen the bike since then so she must have made him get rid of it. Jim

Hal/ Eastern WA · Mar 31, 2013

If I remember right, that model was used in Cop service very successfully when they were new. The Kaws were MUCH more reliable than the Harleys the cops had been riding, and quite a bit faster. I don"t remember if the ones I saw had shaft or chain drive--that was a long time ago.

Old motorcycles can be made to run again, but it sure helps if they have not been stored for 20 years with gas in the tank--really messes up carbs and the rest of the fuel system. Before I got too far in messing with it, I would check availability of parts.

I don"t ride motorcycles anymore. My balance is not as good as it used to be and neither are my reflexes. And these days there are WAY more critters around that might jump out in front of a vehicle than there used to be. I feel much safer with a bunch of steel in front of me. Be super careful, and good luck!

Royse · Mar 31, 2013

Hal, the KZ1000 was definitely used as a police bike.
They made a special version of it just for them.
I believe they were chain drive, but I can't say for sure.
I'll be as safe as the critters and the idiot drivers let me be.
Guess that's all I can ask.

Royse · Mar 31, 2013

If I get out that way John, you're welcome to take it for a spin.
Hey, it's insured!

Royse · Mar 31, 2013

I'm glad it worked out that way for him Jim, maybe a lesson learned.
That's about how my first deer accident went too, but this last one didn't
work out quite so well. I basically went through the windshield and fairing.
And yet, I don't learn. Well, actually I do. I now have an up to date will
and an active organ donor registration. :roll:
This bike was 18 years old and only had 3000 miles on it when I got it.
I sure wish I could find another one like it. Well, like it was.

John_PA · Apr 2, 2013

I just saw the photos you posted of "deer fun."

WOW!

I'm glad you got one that hasn't felt that wrath. You did a great job of restoration.

I do that kind of thing, too.

Nothing is ever scrap if I love it enough!

If I'm ever up your way, I want to see it in person!

Again, thanks for posting this. I wish I had time for bikes. Oince I get my corn done and start on hay, the summer will be over before I know it.

My brother bought a newer bike. I rode it a few times, but, man oh man I miss my KZs' mystical wonder. There is no bike that drew me in so hard. You can take a Honda or a Harley and run circles around me, but I will be happy with a good ole KZ!

Many blessed miles to you! Find some 2 lane twisty roads and cleanse your mind!

You get a thumbs up from me everytime on this.

OT - Saving gas for my tractors

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