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Author Topic: The story of my other ride.  (Read 2729 times)

WT100

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The story of my other ride.
« on: January 23, 2011, 11:11:43 PM »
Well as requested this it the story of why i haven't been on as much.  Don't be frightened, the Dragon is safe and warm in the garage too...

Soooo.

30 years ago i bought my first ride a Kawasaki 350.  



Rode the wheels off it on the I 30 between Dallas and Arlington one summer.  80 mph drafting semi trucks.  

Nest year upgraded to this Yamaha 650.



Sold it for $150 (idiot) and was off bikes for almost 30 years.  Two years ago i got a scooter and fell back in love with riding.    Upgraded to the Dragon which you all know about.

I've ridden 7,000 miles on scoots so it was time again for a new challange and a coming home of sorts.

Late last month i picked up this beauty.  



1980 KZ650
29,000 miles, top end rebuilt, upgraded to dynatec coils and dynatec electronic ignition, new tires front and back, fresh paint job within the year. 4 into 1 exhaust. upgrade from stock airbox to 4 K&N air filter pods.
Runs and sounds like a rocker.  



My mechanic friends took about 3 hours going over her. Updated turn signals, rear tail light and front brake line. Changed fluids and cleaned up some of the wiring.



Pics of her at that point.









Next came Cafe fairing, drag bars. new grips and bar end mirrors.







Then came the RIDING!!!   
350 ish miles so far in between cold and snow.





And of course there is a video ;D



So that's the story.  Sorry for the "off topic" but i didn't want you all thinking i had gone off and gotten arrested in Sudan....again.
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Rianna

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Re: The story of my other ride.
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2011, 11:32:42 PM »
Whoa! That is AWESOME, WT!! Thank you so much for sharing that with us!!!

LOVE your riding jacket too!

That is one nice looking bike...So shiny! I know you are enjoying it. I enjoyed looking at the older pics too. :)

My son came in and he said he might let me look at your video later. ;D

Wow...arrested in Sudan...I bet there's an interesting story there...I'm glad you're doing well, WT, and thanks again!

(80mph drafting semi trucks - Geesh!) LOL!
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Hoolander2

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Re: The story of my other ride.
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2011, 03:01:10 AM »
Yes, very nice.  Makes my heart ache just a little.  ;)  Thanks for sharing!
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WT100

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Re: The story of my other ride.
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2011, 03:13:55 AM »
Thanks, glad you liked my little story!
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axy

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Re: The story of my other ride.
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2011, 09:16:21 AM »
I guess she is air/oil cooled? In 2002 I bought a new Kawasaki ZR-7S, very distant relative of your bike, but with the same underlying mechanics.

Nothing beats the sound of air cooled 4-stroke 4-cyl Kawasaki.

Unfortunately, Kawa has since switched to water cooling and lost a bit of that charm, best captured by Bubba Zanetti and his motorcycle gang in the original Mad Max movie. :)
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axy

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Re: The story of my other ride.
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2011, 09:20:58 AM »
I have just realized that you looked like Peter freakin` Fonda in the second picture!!!!  ;D  :D  ;)

http://digilander.libero.it/guido_1953/pics/sunglasses/a1968-peter-fonda.jpg
http://www.celebrityring.info/images/pictures/Peter-Fonda-3.jpg

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WT100

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Re: The story of my other ride.
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2011, 03:01:50 PM »
Quote from: axy on January 24, 2011, 09:16:21 AM
I guess she is air/oil cooled? In 2002 I bought a new Kawasaki ZR-7S, very distant relative of your bike, but with the same underlying mechanics.

Nothing beats the sound of air cooled 4-stroke 4-cyl Kawasaki.

Unfortunately, Kawa has since switched to water cooling and lost a bit of that charm, best captured by Bubba Zanetti and his motorcycle gang in the original Mad Max movie. :)

Yes it is a specific sound. Not a "thumper" but not quite a "screamer".   At least the way i rid it...

Funny i was just looking at a ZR this weekend.  Looked like just an updated version of the KZ motor.

Everyone keeps referencing Mad Max.  Gonna have to watch it again.  And Easy Rider too apparently...   LOL
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axy

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Re: The story of my other ride.
« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2011, 03:30:43 PM »
Quote from: WT100 on January 24, 2011, 03:01:50 PM
Yes it is a specific sound. Not a "thumper" but not quite a "screamer".   At least the way i rid it...

Funny i was just looking at a ZR this weekend.  Looked like just an updated version of the KZ motor.

Everyone keeps referencing Mad Max.  Gonna have to watch it again.  And Easy Rider too apparently...   LOL

Well, ZR-7S (not in production anymore, succeeded by Z750 around 2005) was a successor of Kawasaki Zephyr 750, who in turn was the next bike in line after "old" KZ750.

"Vigilante" gang from Mad Max mostly drove 70's KZ1000. In fact, Kawasaki had donated 14 of them to make the movie and they were all crashed during making of the movie.
« Last Edit: January 24, 2011, 08:05:46 PM by axy »
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Hoolander2

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Re: The story of my other ride.
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2011, 07:34:54 PM »
Nothing beats the sound of air cooled 4-stroke 4-cyl Kawasaki.

Except the sound of an air cooled 2-stroke 3-cyl Kawasaki.  ;D   (faster too) 
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WT100

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Re: The story of my other ride.
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2011, 07:42:58 PM »
Quote from: Hoolander2 on January 24, 2011, 07:34:54 PM
Nothing beats the sound of air cooled 4-stroke 4-cyl Kawasaki.

Except the sound of an air cooled 2-stroke 3-cyl Kawasaki.  ;D   (faster too) 
Never rode one of those but seems they were nasty fast!
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Agent Bob

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Re: The story of my other ride.
« Reply #10 on: January 25, 2011, 12:23:08 AM »
What year was that 650 Yamaha WT? Mine was a '78 and they made them for about 11 years I believe. Nice looking at the "old school" rides.
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WT100

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Re: The story of my other ride.
« Reply #11 on: January 25, 2011, 01:12:41 AM »
The Yamaha was a 76.  Would have loved to find one of those but they seem to be very "collectable" and are very hard to find. 
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thebatman

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Re: The story of my other ride.
« Reply #12 on: February 05, 2011, 12:33:04 PM »
if you look closely at wt's pics.... Those grips that WERE on are now on my ag... thanks again tim, they make her look so much better.... ;) :D(need to update that thread... :D)
I always follow you.... Love your rides
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WT100

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Re: The story of my other ride.
« Reply #13 on: February 05, 2011, 02:35:20 PM »
You'r welcome bat.  Hope to see some videos of your impressive projects soon. 
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