Life is good when beauties like this roll in

[T.W.R]

Yesterday this beauty arrived at work for a service & other jobs to be done. The chap that owns it had been in contact with the owner of a Z1R that I'd worked on months ago and requested that I perform the duties on his bike :Punk: So today I gave the old girl the treatment and got to have a nice wee ride also :woohoo:

The lucky bugger told me the history of his ownership :shit: he picked it up from the Westcoast (somewhere near Reefton) out of a Farmers shed :yes: for $4500 :gob:
It's a 1974 Z1 900, with 41000 miles on the clock (yep the speedo reads in miles) and he's the 3rd or 4th owner:yes: still has the factory manual, owners handbook, toolkit and service info sticker on the small tray in the tail piece on the bike :Punk:

Did a complete service (oil, filters, plugs etc) plus new points, carbs stripped & rebuilt & balanced and a compression test.

[Steam]

Wow so that orginal condition bodywork, not a restoration? Gorrrgeous.

[BarBender]

That is a beautiful bike. Great example.
Love the red.

[MyGSXF]

she's goooorrgeous!!! :yes:

[xwhatsit]

Yep, I've always thought those era Kawasakis had such lovely colour schemes. Such a gorgeous tail; the tank is very pretty too.

Modern Jap bike designers could learn a bit from bikes like this. Less blatant aggression, more subtlety and flowing lines.

[T.W.R]

Wow so that orginal condition bodywork, not a restoration? Gorrrgeous.

Yep all original condition :yes: the tank has a few small blemishes and there's a enough deterioration on other minor parts to confirm the bike has never been touched cosmetically. The owner is one lucky sod!


That is a beautiful bike. Great example.
Love the red.

It's an awesome example to have come from a farmers shed especially having been on the coast. Think the owner got the deal of the century for what he paid.




Modern Jap bike designers could learn a bit from bikes like this. Less blatant aggression, more subtlety and flowing lines.

Ageless classic :Punk: even the modern retro bikes can't compare to class of these beauties. Every piece of the bike is solidly built.

[stevedee]

Classic, what a beautiful machine...remember reading the first reviews of them back in the 70s the rider could not believe he saw 132mph. Always loved em ever since, still almost drive the car into other cars back ends when one passes. There is at least one I have seen in central welly, and it is in good nick too. They are worth a bloody sight more than $4500 if you were to look for one in the UK or USA.

Wouldn't matter what they were worth, if I had one it would be a keeper no question.

spd:-)

[Deviant Esq]

Dude, that's a beautiful machine. Just look at those headers and cans! I think I'm in love. :love:
Thanks for sharing! :cool:

[bistard]

fantastic,I just wonder how many more gems like that are just sitting in random sheds/garages around the country???

[Hitcher]

Z1 900. Slobber, drool.

[JimO]

as a owner of a Z1R a few years ago its a pity the frame is made of putty and the brakes didnt work

[Hitcher]

Philistine.

[Macktheknife]

Still damn sexy after all these years.

[nudemetalz]

Truely beautiful !!!!

[kiwicam]

as a owner of a Z1R a few years ago its a pity the frame is made of putty and the brakes didnt work

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/94178294@N00/429966467/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/429966467_25ffc0fe53.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Z1R TC" /></a>

you got that right jim and they had a thirteen litre tank which gave this one a range of about mmmm not very far.. which is why it has a twenty litre tank and jimmy steadman never forgave me for fitting an el cheapo accessory fairing blade.. but when you are 19 you have better things to do with your money .

[T.W.R]

as a owner of a Z1R a few years ago its a pity the frame is made of putty and the brakes didnt work

Dude who cares how they handle or perform :whocares: These sort of bikes deserve respect and should be treated as such :yes: Bikes the likes of these and from other marques of the era should be looked after, treated accordingly to their age and most of all admired :yes:




you got that right jim and they had a thirteen litre tank which gave this one a range of about mmmm not very far.. which is why it has a twenty litre tank and jimmy steadman never forgave me for fitting an el cheapo accessory fairing blade.. but when you are 19 you have better things to do with your money .

Z1R had a thirteen litre tank :yes: and the Z1R MkII had the larger 18 litre tank

Z1R TC gets about 80 miles on it's tank :yes:

check the links below:Punk:


http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=41014&d=1157531070

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=46576&d=1164088332

[oldrider]

Dude who cares how they handle or perform :whocares: These sort of bikes deserve respect and should be treated as such :yes: Bikes the likes of these and from other marques of the era should be looked after, treated accordingly to their age and most of all admired :yes:

Sigh, if only the young felt the same way about old............."people!"

They say the 1939 October (male) models were prewar perfection! :innocent:

[T.W.R]

Sigh, if only the young felt the same way about old............."people!"

They say the 1939 October (male) models were prewar perfection! :innocent:

:laugh: true John :yes: but "too soon we get old, too late we get wise"

many would actually fail to see that the men that designed the like of the bikes of this era were products of the 30s :yes:

[kiwicam]

Dude who cares how they handle or perform :whocares: These sort of bikes deserve respect and should be treated as such :yes: Bikes the likes of these and from other marques of the era should be looked after, treated accordingly to their age and most of all admired :yes:



Z1R had a thirteen litre tank :yes: and the Z1R MkII had the larger 18 litre tank

Z1R TC gets about 80 miles on it's tank :yes:

check the links below:


http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=41014&d=1157531070

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=46576&d=1164088332

they look sweet and "about" 80 miles if you lived at woodbourne usually worked out to "about" 75 miles which was "about" 5 miles short of the gas station in kiakoura... and five miles is a long way to push a Z1R.

[T.W.R]

they look sweet and "about" 80 miles if you lived at woodbourne usually worked out to "about" 75 miles which was "about" 5 miles short of the gas station in kiakoura... and five miles is a long way to push a Z1R.

:shutup: should have filled up at Seddon then :innocent:
lols they're certainly solid old girls to push for any distance that's for sure :yes:

The Z1R was the one i worked on a while back, it actually was purchased by it's owner from someone in Blenheim.

The Z1R TC is my boss's bike, purchased off trademe late last year. We subtlety forced him into it :innocent:
It's actually #8 off the production line of the Black Molly edition Z1R TC :Punk:

[TonyB]

as a owner of a Z1R a few years ago its a pity the frame is made of putty and the brakes didnt work

Those attributes never stopped Harleys from selling

[kiwicam]

shoulda filled up in seddon. shoulda filled up in seddon shoulda filled up in seddon....mantra of pedestrian motorcyclist pushing large hefty kawasaki the last mile into kaikoura

[JimO]

when i sold mine you couldnt give them away in fact one of the local bike shops wasnt even interisted in selling it on behalf and i ended up downtrading on a trail bike and then selling the trailbike

[Edbear]

Beauty is ageless!

Now if I could just afford to get the modern retro 750 Zephyr in that nice colour scheme, I'd keep it forever! Think they stopped making them in the late '90's?

[Daffyd]

fantastic,I just wonder how many more gems like that are just sitting in random sheds/garages around the country???

I heard a few years ago that there was a warehouse full of unused army Indians in Wellington...still in their crates!

[Hitcher]

I heard a few years ago that there was a warehouse full of unused army Indians in Wellington...still in their crates!

I think you can be reasonably confident that that is an urban legend.

[JimO]

Beauty is ageless!

Now if I could just afford to get the modern retro 750 Zephyr in that nice colour scheme, I'd keep it forever! Think they stopped making them in the late '90's?

haha i just traded one of them on the cagiva

[Daffyd]

I think you can be reasonably confident that that is an urban legend.

You are prolly right...interesting thought, though.

[T.W.R]

fantastic,I just wonder how many more gems like that are just sitting in random sheds/garages around the country???

Yeah it would be interesting to be able find the gems that must be out there collecting dust in the back of sheds. We had an old farmer come in a couple of weeks ago with an 86 GPZ600 that he wanted valued because it was just sitting there doing nothing, he'd brought it brand new for his son then his son went overseas and has set-up camp never to return:yes: must be a fairly common event in places around the country.


You are prolly right...interesting thought, though.

lols definitely an Urban legend. But there is supposed to be a Z1R in ChCh somewhere that's still in it's crate totally un-used :yes:

[Ixion]

I heard a few years ago that there was a warehouse full of unused army Indians in Wellington...still in their crates!

When I was very young (too young alas to own a motorbike), my father used to buy a local magazine. The name of it I cannot remember but it was printed on pink paper. It was basically a mail order catalogue for surplus goods.

I can distinctly remember that it listed new unused Indian motorcycles , ex Army (US Army I think). Supplied crated, semi assembled. I think the price was ₤37/10/-.

When the Yanks left they dumped (literally) truckloads and shiploads of such things into the sea.

That was a long time ago. There have been no warehouses full of motorcycles for many many years.

[doc]

Cmon people it's just another jappa. Now if it were a bonnie or an ole iron head sporty, it would take passion and unlimited nights and funds to bring back to glory. This thing probably only need a battery. Where is the character in that.

[Edbear]

haha i just traded one of them on the cagiva



How'd you like it? I'd keep it, personally, but not having owned one, not sure how they go. Owners I've spoken to a the time seemed to like them very much!

[JimO]

How'd you like it? I'd keep it, personally, but not having owned one, not sure how they go. Owners I've spoken to a the time seemed to like them very much!
i bought it when i got back into biking after a break of a few years it was ok and if i could have justified keeping two bikes i may have kept it but with a 05 hilux, 96 prado,1970 V8 falcon , 92 sprinter, 8x4 tandem trailor , 18 ft 6 caravan and a 17 ft boat the last thing i needed was another mouth to feed

[Drum]

A classic Z thou in showroom condition went for $19k on TradeMe a few months back. I shit you not.


EdBear, I ride a '91 750 Zephyr and can vouch for their all round excellence. A truly inspired piece of machinery that's gets everyone who was riding in the seventies all excited!

[oldrider]

When I was very young (too young alas to own a motorbike), my father used to buy a local magazine. The name of it I cannot remember but it was printed on pink paper. It was basically a mail order catalogue for surplus goods.

I can distinctly remember that it listed new unused Indian motorcycles , ex Army (US Army I think). Supplied crated, semi assembled. I think the price was ₤37/10/-.

When the Yanks left they dumped (literally) truckloads and shiploads of such things into the sea.

That was a long time ago. There have been no warehouses full of motorcycles for many many years.

Was it the "Auckland Weekly News" or the "Free Lance"?
Pink paper cover, glossy photos in the middle and full of "Valentines" war surplus adds? Getting hazy now. Cheers John.

[Ixion]

Was it the "Auckland Weekly News" or the "Free Lance"?
Pink paper cover, glossy photos in the middle and full of "Valentines" war surplus adds? Getting hazy now. Cheers John.

Ah. Valentines. That was the name of the surplus crowd. No glossy photos though. the pages themselves were pink, and it was specifically surplus / cheap stuff, mainly focused on radio gear (he was a ham in those days). It may not have been a proper magazine, more a catalogue sort of thing.

Definatey not the AWN , I remember that as well.

'Twas a long time ago, I just remember drooling over the Indians, and wondering how long it would take to save that much out of my pocket money! (The result of the calculation was always terribly depressing) . Mind you, in those days you could buy a motorbike, a runner for five pound.

('Twasn't the 'Pink Un' either, that was quite a different thing)

[James Deuce]

Every piece of the bike is solidly built.

Except for the frame. That's made from noodles.

[Ixion]

They did have a certain rep back in the day for handling. Or, lack of it. But no more than any of the other big Jappas of the time.

And nobody back then actually expected brakes to DO anything. It was universally accepted that they were an ornamental feature.

[T.W.R]

Except for the frame. That's made from noodles.

Lets you know the bike is alive and not some sterile compliant characterless PC item :yes:

[kiwicam]

:love:
when i sold mine you couldnt give them away in fact one of the local bike shops wasnt even interisted in selling it on behalf and i ended up downtrading on a trail bike and then selling the trailbike

well they had a wastegate that was basically a spring. points ignition. no anti knock techowhatsits ,cast standard kwaka pistons and enough acceleration to starve the oil pump.oh and lets not forget the sidedraught carby and both of its adustments. norjos in chch never forgave me for trading mine on a gpz550.

wish i still had both those bikes

[imdying]

Cmon people it's just another jappa. Now if it were a bonnie or an ole iron head sporty, it would take passion and unlimited nights and funds to bring back to glory. This thing probably only need a battery. Where is the character in that.Just because it's not a piece of shite doesn't mean it lacks character. Even once you've spent your millions restoring a bonnie, it is still going to be a piece of shite. Had to laugh when I saw one go to the head of the lights the other day... I could have got out and ran faster than it could take off from the lights. Nostalgia is an interesting thing... a bonnie is cack, and yet, people buy them...

[doc]

Just because it's not a piece of shite doesn't mean it lacks character. Even once you've spent your millions restoring a bonnie, it is still going to be a piece of shite. Had to laugh when I saw one go to the head of the lights the other day... I could have got out and ran faster than it could take off from the lights. Nostalgia is an interesting thing... a bonnie is cack, and yet, people buy them...
Your kidding :shit:

[imdying]

No way mate... it was honestly the slowest piece of crap you could imagine! I mean, speed ain't the be all and end all of motorcycling, but sheesh, even a little bit would be nice! I want a least a little fruit to go with my oil leaks dammit!

[Edbear]

EdBear, I ride a '91 750 Zephyr and can vouch for their all round excellence. A truly inspired piece of machinery that's gets everyone who was riding in the seventies all excited!



I loved the look of the Orange/Brown paint scheme! Sigh! So many bikes, so little munny...

[T.W.R]

:love:

well they had a wastegate that was basically a spring. points ignition. no anti knock techowhatsits ,cast standard kwaka pistons and enough acceleration to starve the oil pump.oh and lets not forget the sidedraught carby and both of its adustments. norjos in chch never forgave me for trading mine on a gpz550.

wish i still had both those bikes

lols one of the original NZ issued 13 kit copies huh?
Allan, John, Mike, Badin, & Craig would have loved you :shutup:


No way mate... it was honestly the slowest piece of crap you could imagine! I mean, speed ain't the be all and end all of motorcycling, but sheesh, even a little bit would be nice! I want a least a little fruit to go with my oil leaks dammit!

:Punk:

[98tls]

Cmon people it's just another jappa. Now if it were a bonnie or an ole iron head sporty, it would take passion and unlimited nights and funds to bring back to glory. This thing probably only need a battery. Where is the character in that. Thats gotta be a wind up.............why would anyone restore an old sporty...jesus ive been looking for one to replace the anchor on my boat............they were a piece of shit new.Remember that its bikes like this kwaka that sounded the end of the old british brigade......why.....because they were crap............If you can find a mint early 750/4 honda compare what its worth next to an old bonni........classic........old bonnis are a dime a dozen.

[toycollector10]

Would you be kind enough to contact the owner of that beast and let him know that he would be welcome to join us on our rides. He can PM me if he wants to but if he's not a member of this forum he can get me at toycollector10@gmail.com

We are a group of Classic Japanese Motorcycle social riders in Christchurch......We have a ride once a month. It's a very friendly bunch of guys, we stop often, if you know what I mean.

Anyone reading this who has a pre 1980 Japanese motorcycle is welcome to join us, we look forward to meeting new members. The group is getting bigger every month. Personally, I would like to see some of the smaller capacity bikes join us. The CL175's, CB350's, RD350's, CB400F and CL77 Super Hawk or Dream 305cc etc etc. We don't race and although the word is out that "It's not a beauty contest" the guys take pride in turning up looking sharp with all the chrome glinting.

Click here for the post for the Sunday run... (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2007-3-25&e=1224&c=1)

<a href="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c130/toycollector10/classicsJan107/DSCF3378.jpg"><img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c130/toycollector10/classicsJan107/th_DSCF3378.jpg"></a> <a href="http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c130/toycollector10/DetailedBike/edited5.jpg"><img src="http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c130/toycollector10/DetailedBike/th_edited5.jpg"></a> <a href="http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c130/toycollector10/DetailedBike/edited4.jpg"><img src="http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c130/toycollector10/DetailedBike/th_edited4.jpg"></a>

[98tls]

Ahhh...........now were talking real classics........any chance you could open a new thread with a few pics mate..........you wouldnt happen to know john ford up in parnassus would you........?

[toycollector10]

but does he need to get in touch with us??

Here are a couple of links to two of our recent rides...


http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=42164&highlight=toycollector10

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=44423&highlight=toycollector10

[T.W.R]

[QUOTE=toycollector10;987436]Would you be kind enough to contact the owner of that beast and let him know that he would be welcome to join us on our rides. He can PM me if he wants to but if he's not a member of this forum he can get me at toycollector10@gmail.com

Yeah could do that :yes: Just have to dig his ph out of the files at work. Have got a few pre 80 bikes that come in for work. Had a very tidy 79 GS850 come in for a fork rebuild & WOF today also, and the owner is a regular rally goer so I'd say he'd been keen to be involved with other bikes of a similar era. Also there's the woman who owns the Z1R mentioned earlier in the thread who I'd say would be interested too.

[98tls]

but does he need to get in touch with us??

Here are a couple of links to two of our recent rides...


http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=42164&highlight=toycollector10

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=44423&highlight=toycollector10 Very very nice indeed.........just thought you might know john ford.......he has a couple of real beautys lurking in the garage........ive recently acquired an old......well relatively.........XS triple that i will breathe some life into........

[T.W.R]

Very very nice indeed.........just thought you might know john ford.......he has a couple of real beautys lurking in the garage........ive recently acquired an old......well relatively.........XS triple that i will breathe some life into........

What you mean recently acquired mmm??:shutup: you just got sidetracked playing with the TL :bleh:

[doc]

Thats gotta be a wind up.............why would anyone restore an old sporty...jesus ive been looking for one to replace the anchor on my boat............they were a piece of shit new.
tell Scumdog that he has one for sale. CB750 caused the "End of an era" for some of us. You do know that buying japanese products allows them to do more research on whale meat

[imdying]

tell Scumdog that he has one for sale. CB750 caused the "End of an era" for some of us. You do know that buying japanese products allows them to do more research on whale meat
I'm pretty sure Scummy knows he has his own bike for sale... And what is wrong with whale meat? Make great sushimi.

[Kickaha]

.he has a couple of real beautys lurking in the garage........ive recently acquired an old......well relatively.........XS triple that i will breathe some life into........

yeah he does, I've heard a few stories about him out running the local cop on his K100 (although that was a while back)

His boy Matt races a Aprilla 550 Motard as well

is the XS a 750 or 850? my old flatmate had one of each, the 750 came from Hawkswood just down the road from John

[imdying]

CL77 Super Hawk or Dream 305cc etc etc.Do you know Gary Arps? Sounds right up his alley... he is a confirmed vintage jap bike nutter :yes:

[toycollector10]

Please spread the word that we are here on Kiwibiker and ride once a month. Like I said, we are looking for all those "closet" fans of the pre 1980 Japanese bikes to get out on the road with us.

[98tls]

yeah he does, I've heard a few stories about him out running the local cop on his K100 (although that was a while back)

His boy Matt races a Aprilla 550 Motard as well

is the XS a 750 or 850? my old flatmate had one of each, the 750 came from Hawkswood just down the road from John i remember when i was a young fella he out run hopkins the cop from cheviot on his wire wheel katana.........he had a beautiful 650 ss norton i watched him put together from a pile of parts.......it know resides in a kind of museum for bikes up in auckland somewere,hes had more bikes over the years than most of us have had hot dinners i reckon......some awsome bevel drive ducs included.

[Kickaha]

i remember when i was a young fella he out run hopkins the cop from cheviot on his wire wheel katana

Roy Hoskings, he used to live next door to us, pulled me up a few times but never got a ticket


hes had more bikes over the years than most of us have had hot dinners i reckon......some awsome bevel drive ducs included.

He's now got himself a V Strom that he's not long done a tour of the NI on

[Unit]

I Think most bikes that represent bigger engine capacity from 1970 to 1975 are in a class of their own. My first ever bike was a Norton 850 Commando, 1972, it was a roadster, and kinda similar looks to this Kwaka, but different, but had that flat seat, semi western bars, small knobbly on road but will cope with rough back roads, look with the stainless rims, mmmmmmm, and fun to ride, like extra fun especially in the kiwi twistie's, yep I'd have one of these in the garage, definately, nice find

[Unit]

We are a group of Classic Japanese Motorcycle social riders in Christchurch......We have a ride once a month. It's a very friendly bunch of guys, we stop often, if you know what I mean.

Anyone reading this who has a pre 1980 Japanese motorcycle is welcome to join us,
"It's not a beauty contest" the guys take pride in turning up looking sharp with all the chrome glinting.

You guys have got an awesome bunch of bikes in these pic's. What a great idea, pre-1980 jap classics, who'd have ever thought back then. Well, I know when I was living that era of motorbikes we always talked about it, but now years later to see these bikes we used to knock around on still out there totally respected for what they are, much bling to your group.
Next time Im in the beautiful city of CHCH, will make a point of catching up, would love to see this collection in person

[98tls]

Roy Hoskings, he used to live next door to us, pulled me up a few times but never got a ticket



He's now got himself a V Strom that he's not long done a tour of the NI on Hoskings......thats the fella.........long time ago sorry,i thought it was hopkins.So hes got himself a vstrom eh.......hard to imagine him on one of those but am sure he enjoys it........i have awsome memories of him thrashing an old trident up through the bit of road to the conway store.....when it was there,the trident had a huge 3 into 1 on it and am pretty sure you could hear it from his place all the way to the store.You mentioned Hawkswood earlier.......i hadnt been up there for years and was dismayed to see the Hawkswood s bend was no more..........love that bit of road for sure.

[Kickaha]

i have awsome memories of him thrashing an old trident up through the bit of road to the conway store.....when it was there

you must be an old bastard if you can remember that :yes:


You mentioned Hawkswood earlier.......i hadnt been up there for years and was dismayed to see the Hawkswood s bend was no more..........love that bit of road for sure.

I thought the Hawkswood s bend was still there but no longer part of SH1 and you had to turn off to ride it, I'll check next time I'm up there

[98tls]

you must be an old bastard if you can remember that :yes:
yea but not as old as him........hes my old man..first marriage etc.yea the s bends still there i guess just not part of the main drag anymore eh.

[Hitcher]

I was standing in Havelock North on Saturday morning, talking to MSTRS on my cell (as you do), when this dude rolls by on an absolute minter Honda CB500 Four. Rego CB500. Nice. Very nice.

[Edbear]

We are a group of Classic Japanese Motorcycle social riders in Christchurch......>



Well you don't look very Japanese, even classic Japanese...!:mellow:

Oh, you mean the bikes!:yes: Yeah, they way cool and a pleasure to see so many being looked after. Wish I coulda bought Inline4's 350!

[Toaster]

Wow, good pics of the old style bike. Nice one!

[HenryDorsetCase]

So are we all bidding on the ELR on tardme at present?? *I would if I was allowed to....

[MyGSXF]

I thought the Hawkswood s bend was still there but no longer part of SH1 and you had to turn off to ride it, I'll check next time I'm up there


yea the s bends still there i guess just not part of the main drag anymore eh.

Yes, the bends are still there..:yes: but not part of the main highway anymore, so yeah.. ya gotta turn off to get them now! We have a lot of our club doo's at 'The Staging Post'.. which is on the same piece of road.. awesome place!!! :Punk:

[Scouse]

Well to get back on topic I would'nt say that this bike is original otherwise the heads and barrels would be the same colour

[T.W.R]

Well to get back on topic I would'nt say that this bike is original otherwise the heads and barrels would be the same colour

you need to get your eyes checked :yes: The majority of the heads are still black it's only the areas that have been exposed to the elements that have deteriorated back to plain alloy. You got to remember it's got 40 odd thousand miles on the clock.

Just a bit extra too; the original key ring was on the bike and had 'Hartley Motorcycles, Albany' on it :yes:

[Smokin]

There was a very tidy one parked up over here that was owned by a truck driver that comes into my work quite often, sold it a couple of months ago for a simular figure to a guy in Christchurch. He had parked it up because one of the coils had died and he couldn't find another until just reciently, got it running and stuck a "for sale" sign on it on the side of the road.
It was sold within a couple of hours.

[toycollector10]

I'm just breathing some life back into this.

Question. Does anyone know the guy who owns the Z1?

If so could you point him at this thread as he might be interested in joining the Classic Jap riders........But I just want to say that it's not about the bikes, it's about people. The bikes are just a point of common interest.

[speedpro]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/94178294@N00/429966467/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/429966467_25ffc0fe53.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Z1R TC" /></a>

you got that right jim and they had a thirteen litre tank which gave this one a range of about mmmm not very far.. which is why it has a twenty litre tank and jimmy steadman never forgave me for fitting an el cheapo accessory fairing blade.. but when you are 19 you have better things to do with your money .

If that is Jim's old bike it would give a lot of new bikes a BIG scare. On Woodbourne it went from 0-175mph-0 inside 1400m. The rear tyre went from new to canvas in 15km and with 8 teeth missing from the back sprocket it would still pull 9,300rpm in top, up a hill. John Faithful had the other quick one. Had to know what you were doing though or BIG meltdowns.

[speedpro]

I agree with whoever else said it. I don't think it's "original" either. There a few things that are different, nice, but different. I like it though,I like it a lot. I had a black motor Z1 that I used to race with all the good Moriwaki gear, still get teary eyed when I look at the old photos. The original '73 bottom end is still doing good things in the Mac.

[pritch]

In case anyone is reading this and thinking it sounds like fun but you don't have the right bike... John (Inline4) has a Honda CB350 for sale at Energy Honda in New Plymouth. Pretty as a picture.

[gav]

Was working in a bike shop about 1993, and heard this unusual clatter of an engine pulled up. Went outside and an older fella was climbing off one of these!
Chap was looking for directions and wandered inside, I just drooled over his bike.
We sold mainly farmbikes, but did happen to have one of the first Fireblades on the floor. Clueless boss was rather taken back when I said I'd rather have this 20 year old bike than all the bikes we had in the shop!

Saw the bike about six months later as we were parked at the top of the Wangamoas in Nelson and could hear this bike coming, best sounding bike I think I've ever heard. Never saw it again, wonder what happened to it.
Think it was a 1973 MV Augusta 750S, but could be wrong ...... :innocent: