Bike of the Month.

The banner page looks absolutely amazing. Great job; being met with a series of shots of one gorgeous build really adds to KZR's curb appeal!

Following on from Lee's stunning modified 650 last month we have now jumped across the pond to take a look at Jim's (Wheelhop) rebuilt KZ. Close to stock and doing an excellent job of replicating the classic Z1. I'll let Jim give you the story.
It was in spring of 2020 (during start of pandemic) and I started looking at Kawasaki 900's and 1000's online.  I always wanted one since I had a friend in High School who I raced motocross with and his father had an early Kawasaki Z1900 and I would always drool when i saw the bike!  I knew that I couldn't afford a early Z1 900 at the time so I was looking for more of a project than a completed bike.I emailed a guy in New York who had listed a 76 KZ900 on ebay and we started exchanging phone calls and a deal was made for him to take a 1978 KZ1000 LTD he had in his inventory and put spoke wheels on it, a reproduction seat / body kit from Z1parts. I thought I would be getting a more complete bike but when I brought it home I realized how many things were wrong with it and began to take it apart immediately.The frame was then powder-coated along with all the bits and pieces including swing arm, battery box, triple clamps, headlight bucket, and “Kerker” exhaust was jet-coated. Reproduction wiring harnesses were purchased, brake systems rebuilt, and new switches-controls, fenders and handlebars were installed.The Z1parts body kit had come with painted side-covers for an earlier Z1 that didn't fit on my 78 KZ so I had to get a set of side-covers and have them colour matched to the tank and tail.Many thanks go out to Matt "Mikaw" who was able to help me with some wiring / electrical issues which had been holding me up for many months.with more help from Matt "Mikaw", Dave (Street Fighter LTD) and the guys up at the Zukey Lake, Michigan get-together we were able to get the bike running for first time since I owned it.The bike took two years from purchase to getting it running again and I am still doing some things this winter to it so it will be ready for the spring of 2023 season.

 

Beautiful bike Jim.

Congratulations Jim !!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to Bike of the Month
It was a pleasure being part of the Zukey Lake, Oink JR, KZRider crew getting your Z back on the road
Im sure you will have a new project for us this Spring  to  preform our magic on 
See you real soon
DD


 

It's a great honor to be chosen for BOTM for February!  Thanks guys.

Congratulations buddy,

Is that my old muffler on there? It cleaned up nicely.

Wheelhop wrote:

It's a great honor to be chosen for BOTM for February!  Thanks guys.

Simply  a recognition of great work and passion 

Kelly E wrote:

Congratulations buddy,

Is that my old muffler on there? It cleaned up nicely.

No, the one in pics came with the bike.   I have yours on a shelf waiting for my next build 

Had the february BOTM out of the garage today for a spring cleaning of the inside of garage!

Along with his older brother

Hey Jim,

Congratulations on your bike of the month!
 
The euphoria may wane over time, but it will always ride with you.

daveo wrote:

Hey Jim,

Congratulations on your bike of the month!
 
The euphoria may wane over time, but it will always ride with you.

Dave 
Your bike still ranks very high as a past Bike of the Month
It is the cleanest  daily rider I have ever seen 
DD

This month we are back to the UK with one for the "disiples of originality" a “true survivor” but more importantly a story of lifelong loyalty not only to a brand but even more so, to a friend.The story started back in 1977 when two friends went to a dealership together and purchased a pair of Z900’s with consecutive licence plates.Some 20 years later one of the bikes was moved on to a new home but this one remained with its original owner until more recently. The gentleman was unfortunately diagnosed with terminal cancer and decided to sell the bike so as not to burden his family with funeral costs. It was at this point that the purchaser of the second bike stepped up in support of his friend and bought this bike, not only to help his dear friend but also as a “keepsake” to remember him by when the inevitable day came.This is where Warren (Warren3200GT) came into the picture, he had an option to buy the bike and add to his enviable collection of “Z” bikes, but he chose to step back and let his buddy honour an old friend. Warren continues to maintain the bike annually and has the pleasure of exercising it as the current owner doesn’t ride any longer. Given that Warren is 20 years the junior of the current owner it is his belief that if “natural order” prevails at some point in the future he will add this 900 to his stable. The bike is 100% original and with the exception of maintenance has remained untouched for 45 years.