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Jay Eshbach of APE passes away

  • slmjim+Z1BEBE
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15 Apr 2024 05:28 - 15 Apr 2024 18:47 #897651 by slmjim+Z1BEBE
Jay Eshbach of APE passes away was created by slmjim+Z1BEBE
Jay Eshbach, 1944-2024
We at Dragbike.com are deeply saddened by the recent news of the sudden passing of Jay Eshbach, the President and founder of APE (American Performance Engineering). Jay's journey began in 1974, operating the business out of his garage in Torrance, California. From these modest origins, Jay propelled APE to remarkable success, emerging as one of the most ardent champions of motorcycle drag racing the sport has ever known.

RIP

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE
A biker looks at your engine and chrome.
A Rider looks at your odometer and tags.

1973 ('72 builds) Z1 x2
1974 Z1-A x2
1975 Z1-B x2
1993 CB 750 Nighthawk x2
2009 ST1300A

www.kawasaki-z-classik.com
An enthusiast's forum focused exclusively
on all things Z1, Z2 and KZ900.
Last edit: 15 Apr 2024 18:47 by slmjim+Z1BEBE. Reason: Typo
The following user(s) said Thank You: Mcdroid, Nebr_Rex, Street Fighter LTD, urankjj, Wookie58

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15 Apr 2024 06:24 #897652 by Nessism
Replied by Nessism on topic Jay Eshbach of APE passes away
Bummer.  I always enjoyed Jay's comments on this board and others he participated on.  He was a no nonsense guy, of high credibility.  
Ed
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/61807...-o-ring-kits?start=0

www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know

1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread

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  • Street Fighter LTD
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15 Apr 2024 06:36 #897653 by Street Fighter LTD
Replied by Street Fighter LTD on topic Jay Eshbach of APE passes away
Truly a pioneer in  motorcycling 
He will be remembered 
RIP  Jay

Original owner 78 1000 LTD
Mr Turbo Race Kit, MTC 1075 Turbo pistons by PitStop Performance , Falicon Ultra Lite Super Crank, APE everything. Les Holt @ PDM's Billet Goodies . Frame by Chuck Kurzawa @ Logghe Chassis . Deep sump 5qt oil pan. RIP Bill Hahn

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15 Apr 2024 07:11 #897656 by Cra-z1
Replied by Cra-z1 on topic Jay Eshbach of APE passes away
APE has been my go to for quality machine work for heads and cylinders. Thanks to guys like him and others it makes it a bit easier to do the things we dream up. RIP

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15 Apr 2024 07:26 #897658 by calum
Replied by calum on topic Jay Eshbach of APE passes away
Was really sorry to read this, but thanks for posting it and letting us know. Hard to believe he started 50 years ago in his garage.
KZ1000 Restomod ( www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/614517-1977-kz1000-restomod )
1977 KZ1000A1 ( www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/616901...-spare-parts-project )
1980 KZ750H ( kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/612054-kz750h-restoration )
2000 BMW F650GS

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15 Apr 2024 13:23 #897678 by TexasKZ
Replied by TexasKZ on topic Jay Eshbach of APE passes away
Sad news for sure,
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24

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15 Apr 2024 16:06 #897684 by Dragbike_Mike
Replied by Dragbike_Mike on topic Jay Eshbach of APE passes away
Yes, sad news, indeed.  RIP Mr. Eshbach.
Presently - 1980 KZ1000B4 LTD w/mild ported head, Megacycle cams, 1015cc Wiseco, Falicon Supercrank, R&D undercut trans
In a former life - KZ-based dragbike - CrMo car tire chassis, 1395cc, Hahn Racecraft turbo system, VP C16, Orient Express 3-spd auto, 7.80's @ 165-170.

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15 Apr 2024 16:06 #897685 by urankjj
Replied by urankjj on topic Jay Eshbach of APE passes away
R.I.P. Sir..
You will be missed.

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15 Apr 2024 17:55 #897687 by ronnieV
Replied by ronnieV on topic Jay Eshbach of APE passes away
R.I.P. Jay,a legend in the industry. 
77 ltd1000 80 ltd1000 78kz1000a ,02 red zrx 12r, 94 cb1000 big one ,03 valkyrie (my couch) 65 olds 442

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20 Apr 2024 07:40 #897881 by TexasKZ
Replied by TexasKZ on topic Jay Eshbach of APE passes away
A very recent interview with Jay about 50 years in business.

1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24
The following user(s) said Thank You: slmjim+Z1BEBE, Nessism, daveo, SWest, urankjj

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05 Dec 2024 15:54 #906678 by saltroni
Replied by saltroni on topic Jay Eshbach of APE passes away
 I am so sorry to hear about Jay. He answered the phone late one night when I was desperately looking for parts for my Busa. Then at the Mojave Mile he came by the truck and and stickered up my bike. he just hung out for a while like a regular guy. I have a pic of him and I and the Busa on my shop wall. All I can say is he was a Great Man and will be missed by everyone that ever met him.  
Steve

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05 Dec 2024 20:38 - 06 Dec 2024 18:09 #906684 by Cra-z1
Replied by Cra-z1 on topic Jay Eshbach of APE passes away
I knew of his passing however what I didn't know was that he was the only one who was doing all of the valve jobs for the Z1 heads I had been sending in over the years. I sent a head in last month and I got a call telling me that they are not doing those heads anymore as Jay was the only one who could get it right on the Serdi machine and he never taught anyone else.

Lucky I have a guy who has done some work on other heads for me and is out of Portland by the name of Schumann Motor Works. He is finishing the stuff APE had waiting on the shelf. Not a lot of shops out there who you can trust with these old heads.
Last edit: 06 Dec 2024 18:09 by Cra-z1.

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