Topic: Yes, a Z1 & H1- unofficial Kawasaki thread - H2 is now a rider!!!

[DickL]

Stev-o,

GREAT FIND. They were rockets!

[NobleHops]

A stunner in its moment, the forerunner of the Ninjas that then overshadowed it. I loved the whole range of the GPZs. The motor was by then bulletproof, the suspension "improving". I think the fork was the weak link on yours.

I want several, I think that is as cool an era of motorcycling as the 70s were.

N.

[seanbarney41]

Cool, my uncle has a minty, low mileage GPZ750 in storage that I need to get off him...you got more Kaws than Honda's now Steve-O?

[Stev-o]

Thanks guys.  Just reading up on it and it did get good reviews.  I don't care for most 80's bikes but like this one for some reason.  Would have liked to buy his big brother but I'd prolly hurt myself!

I still have more Hondas but may be selling one to replenish the bike fund!

[grcamna2]

Thanks guys.  Just reading up on it and it did get good reviews.  I don't care for most 80's bikes but like this one for some reason.  Would have liked to buy his big brother but I'd prolly hurt myself!

I still have more Hondas but may be selling one to replenish the bike fund!

Stev-o,  'Going Kawi'? 

[Stev-o]

Thanks guys.  Just reading up on it and it did get good reviews.  I don't care for most 80's bikes but like this one for some reason.  Would have liked to buy his big brother but I'd prolly hurt myself!

I still have more Hondas but may be selling one to replenish the bike fund!

Stev-o,  'Going Kawi'? 

I like Kaws!  I had a Kaw 1000 long before I had a CB. 

Hondas are like the girl next door: pretty and reliable.
Kaws are like the blonde down the street: Hot and exciting!

I like em both. 

[Terry in Australia]

Nice pickup Steve, I'm not a real fan of the smaller Z bikes, but all of the DOHC Kawasaki's of the era had pretty much bullet-proof engines. I've always wanted a GPZ1100, they didn't do anything particularly well, they were just brutally fast. Brutally fast is good. Cheers, Terry.

[toytuff]

Sweet bike Steve.

[ekpent]

Nice find Steve. Cycleworld or Motorcyclist,can't remember which one recently did a very nice flashback article on those. Back in the day they were the very popular and selling as soon as one would hit the floor. They were very popular for club racer types and got very good reviews. Sure they still stand the test of time well today. Congrats.
  Here's a period comparison test that may be a fun read with an adult beverage.  Scroll way down.    https://yeoldecycleshoppe.wordpress.com/category/kawasaki/

[Stev-o]

It's been a rainy week in Texas, but the sun came out for a few hours yesterday afternoon.
I snuck out of work early and rolled the GPz out of the Batcave and dragged her home.
Slapped a license plate on it, checked air pressures and gave it a once over, all looked good.

The bike starts immediately thanks to a fast idle initiated by the choke. Was a little disappointed to find it didnt come with Mikunis, but has the stock Teikeis [never heard of them!]

Geared up and headed to the local gas stop and put a couple gal of 93 in her.  The gas guage then read full, yes, it has a gas guage [and also a warning light if you dont put the sidestand up].

Took it for a 35 mile jaunt, this bike loves to scream! Redline is 9500, I repeatedly ran her up to 9K, never skipped a beat. Effin speedo only goes up to 85mph, WTF?!  Period tests state top speed is 119, I prolly only did the ton. The brakes work real well, much better than any of my 70's era bike, but it has triple discs, no wonder. It is a very high spirited bike, was very comfortable after 15 min, and a joy to ride!  Took a few minutes to get used to the handlebars, a little too close together for my liking, they may be adjustable? [they are not conventional handlebars].  Near the end of my ride, the oil light started blinking. I had checked the oil, there is a window on the side of the clutch cover, it was at half. I poured about a quarter of a quart in it, started it and warning light no more.

Disappointed that it was raining when I got home today, was hoping to take her out again! Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

Ordered a seat on ebay too.

[joeyvans]

Sounds fun! Wasn't there some stupid legislation in the early 80's limiting speedos to 85? Or, what was it?

I've seen the same thing on the larger Honda DOHC F's.

[grcamna2]

That GPz is a little 'Screamer' Stev-o    I'd do a few oil & filter changes to it while your 'test driving'  it.

[MoMo]

Sounds fun! Wasn't there some stupid legislation in the early 80's limiting speedos to 85? Or, what was it?

I've seen the same thing on the larger Honda DOHC F's.

You're right on that, didn't last very long though.  Govt.  figured we wouldn't speed if we couldn't tell how fast we were going, or some stupid thought pattern like that...larry

[seanbarney41]

Sounds fun! Wasn't there some stupid legislation in the early 80's limiting speedos to 85? Or, what was it?

I've seen the same thing on the larger Honda DOHC F's.

lol

Sounds fun! Wasn't there some stupid legislation in the early 80's limiting speedos to 85? Or, what was it?

I've seen the same thing on the larger Honda DOHC F's.

You're right on that, didn't last very long though.  Govt.  figured we wouldn't speed if we couldn't tell how fast we were going, or some stupid thought pattern like that...larry

You're right on that, didn't last very long though.  Govt.  figured we wouldn't speed if we couldn't tell how fast we were going, or some stupid thought pattern like that...larry

lol, my '78 Chevy Van speedo only goes to 80mph...even that big tank buries speedo with ease

[grcamna2]

My 82' GS1100E had one of those 85 speedos.. My 83' GS1100E had the 140 speedo 

[Killer Canary]

I have big brother.
It's been amazing me for five years now.

[Stev-o]

I have big brother.
It's been amazing me for five years now.

Didnt know they made a GPz900.  Just did a little reading up on it, very impressive!

[grcamna2]

I have big brother.
It's been amazing me for five years now.

Didnt know they made a GPz900.  Just did a little reading up on it, very impressive!

I'd like to see someone adapt the turbo to the 900 from the GPz750 Turbo 

[Stev-o]

I have big brother.
It's been amazing me for five years now.

Didnt know they made a GPz900.  Just did a little reading up on it, very impressive!

I'd like to see someone adapt the turbo to the 900 from the GPz750 Turbo 

Just buy the GPz1100 and you won't have to worry about turbo lag!

[dhall57]

Way to go Stev-o. Looks like a nice addition to your growing family of bikes

[dhall57]

I still have more Hondas but may be selling one to replenish the bike fund!

Maybe the Z1 Stev-o. That would replenish the bike fund nicely. Haha!!

[Stev-o]

I still have more Hondas but may be selling one to replenish the bike fund!

Maybe the Z1 Stev-o. That would replenish the bike fund nicely. Haha!!

Bite your tongue, DHall! It would have to be an emergency like a barn find of 3 Sandcasts for 10 Grand!

I think 1 of the CB750's can go, don't think I need 6 of them any longer. 

[grcamna2]

I still have more Hondas but may be selling one to replenish the bike fund!

Maybe the Z1 Stev-o. That would replenish the bike fund nicely. Haha!!

Bite your tongue, DHall! It would have to be an emergency like a barn find of 3 Sandcasts for 10 Grand!

I think 1 of the CB750's can go, don't think I need 6 of them any longer.

Stev-o, I think at one point you and 'tt' were 'running neck & neck' on buying and owning lot's of sweet vintage bikes but I think you have surpassed him.  Garage/bike pics ! let's see 'em sitting in the stable man. 

[Killer Canary]

You have an eye for klassic Kawis Steve-O.
Don't go changin'.

[Stev-o]

I still have more Hondas but may be selling one to replenish the bike fund!

Maybe the Z1 Stev-o. That would replenish the bike fund nicely. Haha!!

Bite your tongue, DHall! It would have to be an emergency like a barn find of 3 Sandcasts for 10 Grand!

I think 1 of the CB750's can go, don't think I need 6 of them any longer.

Stev-o, I think at one point you and 'tt' were 'running neck & neck' on buying and owning lot's of sweet vintage bikes but I think you have surpassed him.  Garage/bike pics ! let's see 'em sitting in the stable man. 

tt and I are good amigos, plan to get over there one day and take him up on that offer to ride the Ducati! [And drink margaritas afterwards!]
He's had some challenges in his personal life and priorities have changed, life happens, right John?

I took the day off work, The Budman and I had a Hill Country ride planned for today but has been postponed due to rain, so it's a shop day for today.

Here's a crappy garage pic of the Z1, 550F, K4 836, GPz and the H1...





The K3 "Park Racer" is on the lift, I need to cut the oil tank off it! Yes, some genius  welded a gusset over the mounting bolt.