How green is my Kawasaki?

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

IMG_20230724_195633_(2000_x_900_pixel).jpg (606.67 KiB) Viewed 435 times

IMG_20230724_195608_(900_x_2000_pixel).jpg (421.17 KiB) Viewed 435 times

IMG_20230724_195545_(2000_x_900_pixel).jpg (668.67 KiB) Viewed 435 times

Well much to my amazement this is actually sort of finished, it runs, it rides and it looks good.

And I've just noticed the tail piece isn't straight, that will be a job for tomorrow

[KungFooBob]

Needs some Kwikasfucki stickers or something.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Needs some Kwikasfucki stickers or something.

Maybe in pink?

[KungFooBob]

You might as well remind us of the full spec?

[A_morti]

What's it for? No lights but it's a somewhat unique choice for a track bike.

[Rockburner]

Not green enough

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Here we go 234

1982 Z1000J frame braced and brackets removed
1989 FZR1000EXUP front end lengthened with mandlebars
750 Zephyr swingarm with unknown Kawasaki rear wheel, probably ZX6 that's been trimmed a little on the sprocket side
YSS rear shocks
ZX1100A Unitrak engine with Wiseco high comp 1170 big bore
Hydraulic clutch conversion using a bracket from Germany, ZXR750 slave cylinder and a pattern Honda master cylinder
Bandit 1200 front brake master cylinder
Dyna 2000 ignition and Dyna coils
Mikuni RS34 carbs
Vance and Hines exhaust - probably the last Z1000 one sold in the UK
Tommaselli rear sets
Kip Kawa exhaust hanger
Cheap eBay rear master cylinder
Wiring by me (need to get some more wiring supplies)
Genuine Z1100R seat
Z1000J tank that's been cut open, cleaned, and welded up again, aircraft style filler, Pingel fuel tap, (done by Sam Cooke in Felixstowe)
Painted by Neil Bowen in Felixstowe

But let's not forget, the other 2 exhausts I tried, one too restrictive, one too loud
Various instruments, I had a lovely Koso rev counter for it that died.
Another petrol tank that leaks
A very manky tail piece

And generally a lot of work, including a full engine rebuild and expense

[KungFooBob]

What do the Power and Torque figures look like?

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

What do the Power and Torque figures look like?

Not that fantastic, I can't remember the torque, but BHP is 103 at 9000rpm, it's quite slow revving as the crank is heavy.

[Skub]

It gets the Kermit seal of approval.

Should really be in Projects,Owner's bikes,Updates.

[KungFooBob]

Is that a Motobatt?

Needs a bit of black sticky black plastic on it if it is.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

What's it for? No lights but it's a somewhat unique choice for a track bike.

Good question, it's not particularly nice to ride either, it rides very much like what it is, an early 80s big bike, but with better brakes and no wobbles.

TBH it will be a show pony and historic sprint bike, I'm not especially keen on riding it fast anywhere twisty, it's hard work on twisty roads.

I need to put the number plate on it to make it road legal, I've got a Speedo that takes 5 minutes to fit, but it looks a bit gash.

It's so old it doesn't have to have an MOT

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Is that a Motobatt?

Needs a bit of black sticky black plastic on it if it is.

It is, an AGM battery, to make it a little reviver it hasn't got an alternator, the battery will run the bike for about 90 minutes, with several starts, it would do a track day with a battery charge between sessions.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Do you ever think to yourself "why have I put so much effort and money into this?" and not be able to answer that question, and the only thing I can come up with is "because I wanted to" there is no logic here, only lunacy.

Never mind, I've got another two bikes to do similar with.

YPVS will get some attention now

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

And I doubt if I've spent as much as Taipan on bikes in the last 7 years

[Skub]

Do you ever think to yourself "why have I put so much effort and money into this?" and not be able to answer that question, and the only thing I can come up with is "because I wanted to" there is no logic here, only lunacy.

I don't believe there needs to be an answer to that question,other than,'because I wanted to'. Lunacy is better defined by having money and never 'wasting' it on something.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Do you ever think to yourself "why have I put so much effort and money into this?" and not be able to answer that question, and the only thing I can come up with is "because I wanted to" there is no logic here, only lunacy.

Never mind, I've got another two bikes to do similar with.

YPVS will get some attention now

For the amount I've spent on "my" Triumph I could have bought a bike I actually want

Looks nice though, very green.

[KungFooBob]

Pah, I've spent enough on Jack Daniels in the last 5 years to buy a Panigale.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Pah, I've spent enough on Jack Daniels in the last 5 years to buy a Panigale.

I don't drink or smoke, I'm happy with my wife and house, so apart from my two teenage children this is what I waste money on, I enjoy working on and owning old bikes, I just don't particularly like riding old bikes, they're not as easy to ride as new ones.

And having old ones to fiddle with stops me ruining my new one with poorly thought out modifications.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

And somebody has just posted on Facebook a GS1000 rolling chassis for sale for £1750, I'm really glad I haven't got more room, I'd be buying it, then buying a Mk2 1200 Bandit, a set of engine plates and another project would be under way.