Any Z4 owning motorbike riders out there?? What's your ride?

So, bought this little thing a few weeks ago. 17 year old Z1000 with just 12k miles. Got it quite cheap as the seller had it up for too much money for ages then decided it had to go. Enter moi!

It was all there and looked pretty good, but was a little neglected. Seventeen years' worth of chain oil spattered everywhere. I have spent the last three weeks stripping it back to engine and frame and rebuilding/ cleaning it as I went. I changed the oil, coolant, plugs, cleaned the air filter, changed sprockets and chain, resprayed the little visor (it was tinted yellow) and the rear brake caliper. Rebuilt and cleaned all the brakes too. I should have shares in Autosol by now with the amount I got through!

First bike I have 'refurbed' but I am well chuffed with the outcome. I would like to thank Mr Haynes, as it would not have been possible without him! :D
Totally standard bike apart from braided front brake hoses (just waiting for OEM mirrors to arrive as it had bar ends which didn't fit my remit).
IMG_8835.JPGIMG_8838.JPGIMG_8834.JPGIMG_8833.JPG
 
Where did 17 years go? :o

That looks fantastic Andrew, although I was expecting you to buy something a bit older!

It'll make a 440i feel pedestrian. :lol:
 
Mr Tidy said:
That looks fantastic Andrew, although I was expecting you to buy something a bit older!
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That is still the plan. I keep being outbid on bikes on the bay (cos I'm cheap), so wanted something to do.. This one was because I had a later Z1000 a few years ago and really liked it. They are a little nuts for an old codger like me; no abs, no TC.
I haven't ridden it yet! :o
 
Pondrew said:
That is still the plan. I keep being outbid on bikes on the bay (cos I'm cheap), so wanted something to do.. This one was because I had a later Z1000 a few years ago and really liked it. They are a little nuts for an old codger like me; no abs, no TC.
I haven't ridden it yet!
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Take some spare underwear when you take it out then. :lol:

After you've read about Rob smartbears triple issues a 4-stroke might seem like a better plan, but my 1980 Z650 C2 needed valve clearances adjusted with shims - like my MC does now!

The difference is a full service with valve clearances on my Z650 cost nearly 50% of what I paid for the bike in 1982. :o And it felt like it had a hinge in the frame! I had an RD250LC next that was almost as quick but was so much better around corners.

But if you have a hankering for a triple a mate of mine might be persuaded to part with his KH400 if the price was right!
 
Mr Tidy said:
But if you have a hankering for a triple a mate of mine might be persuaded to part with his KH400 if the price was right!
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I would love a Kwaka triple (although Rob's recent issue hasn't helped), but want a neglected one that I can add value, or at least add something, to. Prices are ridiculous ATM. 400s are nearly as pricey as 750s. It's all the nostalgia bandwagon, cos they were dangerous and terrible bikes TBH.
 
Pondrew said:
I would love a Kwaka triple (although Rob's recent issue hasn't helped), but want a neglected one that I can add value, or at least add something, to. Prices are ridiculous ATM. 400s are nearly as pricey as 750s. It's all the nostalgia bandwagon, cos they were dangerous and terrible bikes TBH.
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Maybe too late as my mates KH400 is really clean, unlike the two KH250s he sold last year!

My Z650 felt far more dangerous than my KH500, but then it did have quite a few modifications. I'd love to buy it back if I could find it.
 
Mr Tidy said:
My Z650 felt far more dangerous than my KH500
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Z650s having been going up in value a lot recently. A battered high miler will cost you £3k plus, a good one £5k plus!
GPz900s were fetching mega money a few years ago. Now it seems people are struggling to give them away! Fickle this nostalgia thing.
I have learned in the last few weeks how expensive restos can be on bikes; I paid £22 for a drive sprocket nut (yes for one nut) as I mullered the old getting it off.
 
Pondrew said:
Z650s having been going up in value a lot recently. A battered high miler will cost you £3k plus, a good one £5k plus!
GPz900s were fetching mega money a few years ago. Now it seems people are struggling to give them away! Fickle this nostalgia thing.
I have learned in the last few weeks how expensive restos can be on bikes; I paid £22 for a drive sprocket nut (yes for one nut) as I mullered the old getting it off.
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Nostalgia definitely comes at a price, but maybe a GPZ900 would be worth stashing away for 2 or 3 years until it becomes the latest greatest next thing!
 
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1976 Honda 750K6. had it 7 years.
 

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k755 said:
1976 Honda 750K6. had it 7 years.
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Like it. The prices of those went mental a few years ago too! The first ever 'superbike' IIRC. :thumbsup:
 
Pondrew said:
k755 said:
1976 Honda 750K6. had it 7 years.
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Like it. The prices of those went mental a few years ago too! The first ever 'superbike' IIRC. :thumbsup:
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Didn’t some consider this the first superbike? :?
https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/retrospective-review-1969-kawasaki-h1-mach-iii-500
Rob
 
Smartbear said:
Didn’t some consider this the first superbike?
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I read that the Z1 was collectively considered as the first true 'superbike', but Honda released the CB750 first so could be considered to have nicked the crown. I dunno, they were all bloody dangerous with more power than engineering knowledge IMO.
 
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