Kiwi rarity

**T.W.R** · 4th February 2007, 20:40

This extremely well presented Z900 Kawasaki stopped in at the tearooms next to work the other day, so as it was we had to have a nosey over it

The owner said it was one of a few that Ken McIntosh had waved his magic hands over, braced frame and box section braced swingarm etc

Anyone know anything about these, as there can't be many getting about the country.

The pics don't really do it justice, It was absolutely mint and the engine ran as sweet as a nut

**Dadpole** · 4th February 2007, 21:14

Very nice. They were a stunningly good looking bike in their day. I remember trying to chase one on my T350 through Wgtn when they first came out. A black engine though? I thought all the 900 series had the alloy finish, though I am trying to remember back quite a few years.

**T.W.R** · 4th February 2007, 21:23

Originally Posted by Dadpole

Very nice. They were a stunningly good looking bike in their day. I remember trying to chase one on my T350 through Wgtn when they first came out. A black engine though? I thought all the 900 series had the alloy finish, though I am trying to remember back quite a few years.

Still a stunner these days

The engine had had some work done to it

didn't get into what had been done but it looked the goods

and I think around 76-77 black casings made an appearance on Zeds

**shafty** · 4th February 2007, 22:01

Great pics TWR - cheers, - cool to see a classic stunner being used on the road. (showing me age!)

**slowpoke** · 5th February 2007, 04:45

Yep, something like this is the bike equivalent of a MILF. It isn't the same as a taut young thing but it's still a hottie 30years on from it's hey day.

**Meanie** · 5th February 2007, 05:23

Nice very nice and in showroom condition too

**Edbear** · 5th February 2007, 06:19

Sweeeet!!!

**pete376403** · 5th February 2007, 08:12

Reversed fork legs and twin disks aren't exactly as it came from the showroom but very pretty for all that.

Any truth in the story that Suzuki copied this engine for the GS series? I've heard that parts interchange but never had a Z motor apart so can't confirm that.

**Motig** · 5th February 2007, 08:12

Great Bikes, unfortunately that one appears to have aged better than me. I look nothing like my photos back in the 70's, I was a slimline model back then. The 1st 900's had the black engines but changed to the metal finish with subsequent models. Something to do with the black finish not wanting to stay on according to Classic Motorcycle Mechanics and the black came back and stayed on for the Z1R and Z1000 MkII.

**What?** · 5th February 2007, 10:06

Originally Posted by pete376403

Any truth in the story that Suzuki copied this engine for the GS series? I've heard that parts interchange but never had a Z motor apart so can't confirm that.

None at all.
Only interchangable parts are some of the screws that hold it together, and maybe the spark plugs.

**nudemetalz** · 5th February 2007, 10:30

Very nice, Bill. Thanks for sharing.
Betcha she sounded great.

**Dadpole** · 5th February 2007, 10:53

The reversed fork legs were the first thing to do back in the day.
Every bike mag pushed that mod to improve the handling (and the bikes of that era needed all the help they could get).

I was perving at an early Z1000 at the Wairarapa air show. Nice bike, but I think the Z900 was the pornstar of that era.

**T.W.R** · 5th February 2007, 18:01

Originally Posted by T.W.R

The owner said it was one of a few that Ken McIntosh had waved his magic hands over, braced frame and box section braced swingarm etc

Anyone know anything about these, as there can't be many getting about the country.

Anyone have any ideas on the Ken McIntosh connection? was this Zed9 a one-off, short run like the BR suzis, or done to order type of bike?

either way it's a pretty unique machine with the improvements that it has

Originally Posted by slowpoke

It isn't the same as a taut young thing but it's still a hottie 30years on from it's hey day.

Can't beat a legend with class

Originally Posted by nudemetalz

Very nice, Bill. Thanks for sharing.
Betcha she sounded great.

The shop is starting to become a magnet for classics

supprisingly it wasn't that loud, but it had a nice deep growl as it took off