OK.....First Impressions of my mini Z1R...

After riding back and forth to work for 3 days (about 30 minutes one way of mostly surface streets - no freeways) this bike turns out to be an absolute hoot to ride. I've never owned a small-bore 4 holer before so this is all new to me. The tranny is a real joy to shift and it's a semi-close ratio so all you do is wind on the throttle and row on the shifter lever. This is what riding was all about when I got started back in the mid 60's with my first Hondas.
The suspension is about what I expected from a late 70's bike.....soft in front and oversprung/underdamped in back....but not TOO pogostick-like.....it CAN hold a line with the Metzeler LaserTecs front and rear.
The engine is an absolute treat. It really comes alive above 6 K and has a very nice howl to it even with the stock mufflers and air box.....and the sound is backed up with semi-serious acceleration. A novice could easily get in too deep on this bike REAL quick.
I'm tickled to death with my purchase and it'll make a great commuter hack with the price of gas heading for outer space. I swear this little sucker runs on fumes. Even with semi-aggressive riding I have a hard time telling if the tank level is dropping.....unlike my 1200 Bandit which is a serial fuel gulper if I'm not careful with the loud handle.....and don't even ask about my H2 or my GT550 strokers. :laugh:
I think me and C2 are going to have a great summer...
and hopefully many more to come. What a great little....er....mid-size bike. The seat would need some serious work for LD use....but then that's another story entirely.
Now, to finish the break-in and then get rid of those chicken strips on the Metzelers.....:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Hey H2 - Put up a pic of this low miler C model. Cheers-Colin Firth

so, i take it you are enjoying your DOHC profusely?

they are a blast to ride, i cant wait to enjoy mine when i get it back togeather.

OK, Colin, here you are......
I can never resist anyone's wishes to see any of my bikes.....
I'm just a bike-pic hooker....what can I say....
:laugh:

That's quite a hot rod you have there Colin. That's a serious money pit you've got happening there.... :woohoo:
Oh....a favour from you, please, Colin....Does your 77 C2 still have the stock master cylinder on it ?? Is it the round metal reservoir style ?? Pics ??
I need the big-bore early-style master cylinder for my next H2 project and no one can tell me if the 77 master cylinders are square (like the 78's and later) or round metal ones like the H2 style. Thanks for any help with this.....from anyone.

Post edited by: H2RICK, at: 2007/06/02 23:53

Rick I have to tell you I never get tired of seeing that 650 of yours, in a word stunning. To answer your question about the 77 master cylinder on the one I have it is round but the cup that holds the brake fluid is made from plastic with a plastic cap on it. It is constructed like the MC on your 650 but shaped like an H2.

You should enjoy your summer riding the 650. I'm waiting on some new exhaust parts to come in so I can finish mounting the stainless ZR7 exhaust on my 650 C-1. Then I can get it out of the downstairs bedroom and back on the road.:whistle:

Another heart warming story about a 650. I have to say, Rick, that your bike looks about as close to showroom fresh as I've seen. Nice score on a stunning survivor.

Now you understand why those of us who have "little" 650s like them so much.

I agree with Nate, you have a nice looking bike. I always liked the extras a C model had.

H2RICK wrote:

OK, Colin, here you are......
I can never resist anyone's wishes to see any of my bikes.....
I'm just a bike-pic hooker....what can I say....
:laugh:

That's quite a hot rod you have there Colin. That's a serious money pit you've got happening there.... :woohoo:
Oh....a favour from you, please, Colin....Does your 77 C2 still have the stock master cylinder on it ?? Is it the round metal reservoir style ?? Pics ??
I need the big-bore early-style master cylinder for my next H2 project and no one can tell me if the 77 master cylinders are square (like the 78's and later) or round metal ones like the H2 style. Thanks for any help with this.....from anyone.<br><br>Post edited by: H2RICK, at: 2007/06/02 23:53

Thanks Rick. Nice looking ride you have there - Yup, mine's a money pit but it is my only self-indulgence aside from my Vevet Elvis Paintings Collection:)

My original round master cylinder for the front brake was seized so I replaced it with one from a (dare I say...) Honda 750 Super Sport. It's my only non Kawasaki part and my next hunting project is to track down a decent shape '77 one. In 1978 Kawasaki changed to a more rectangular shaped one. I tried to order the round '77 from Kawasaki a couple of years back and it would have taken 6 months to get it. I couldn't wait that long so I picked up the Honda one at the boneyard.

Cheers-Colin Firth-Ontario Canada

Sweet looking C2. Just get a little fairing to complete the Z1 R look.
Mark

DAMN! :woohoo: that thing is mint!

Beautiful C2 for sure.
Brings back memories.