Classic KZs take on America's Highest Road!
- ZappBranigan
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Classic KZs take on America's Highest Road!
14 Aug 2008 07:54 - 14 Aug 2008 07:57
Full report here at MCUSA.com, but I figured you fellow KZ fanatics might appreciate some action shots of our trip last week. These bikes have a combined age of 48 years! Rode from Denver to the top of Mt. Evans, 14,130' above sea level:
Full report and more pics here:
forum.motorcycle-usa.com/default.aspx?f=28&m=418140
Full report and more pics here:
forum.motorcycle-usa.com/default.aspx?f=28&m=418140
"When I'm in command, Every mission is a suicide mission!" - Zapp Branigan
82 KZ750N1 (Spectre)
24k Miles
82 KZ750N1 (Spectre)
24k Miles
Last edit: 14 Aug 2008 07:57 by ZappBranigan.
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- Sandy
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- Fly High,Tony
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Re: Classic KZs take on America's Highest Road!
14 Aug 2008 08:07
:woohoo:
Right ON,you guys!
Awesome pics,and wow...what a view!
Right ON,you guys!
Awesome pics,and wow...what a view!

1977 KZ1000 A-1
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- harm
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- Tom
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Re: Classic KZs take on America's Highest Road!
14 Aug 2008 09:24
That's cool! How did the bikes run up there where the air is so thin?
Tom
Holland, MI
1980 KZ550 ELR
2011 Concours14
2017 KX450 [/color]
Holland, MI
1980 KZ550 ELR
2011 Concours14
2017 KX450 [/color]
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- Mcdroid
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- Gone Kwackers
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Re: Classic KZs take on America's Highest Road!
14 Aug 2008 11:05
Thanks for sharing...

Michael
Victoria, Texas
1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A
Victoria, Texas
1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A
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- ZappBranigan
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Re: Classic KZs take on America's Highest Road!
14 Aug 2008 11:48
harm wrote:
The ZN700 that Stacey was riding seemed to do fine. My KZ750 needed a lot more throttle than usual and didn't like to idle when hot. It would die if I didn't rev the throttle a bit. Otherwise, no problems.
That's cool! How did the bikes run up there where the air is so thin?
The ZN700 that Stacey was riding seemed to do fine. My KZ750 needed a lot more throttle than usual and didn't like to idle when hot. It would die if I didn't rev the throttle a bit. Otherwise, no problems.
"When I'm in command, Every mission is a suicide mission!" - Zapp Branigan
82 KZ750N1 (Spectre)
24k Miles
82 KZ750N1 (Spectre)
24k Miles
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- RonKZ650
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Re: Classic KZs take on America's Highest Road!
31 Aug 2008 20:01
I rode up there too, about 4 weeks ago. That's a nice ride. I remember the gift shop/restaraunt at the top too before it burned down in 1979. Less people there in 1979 than now even though it's burned down + toll road now. Last time my dad and me rode up there in about 1976 the winds were fierce and blew his bike on it's side.
321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
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- sharkynrk
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Re: Classic KZs take on America's Highest Road!
28 Feb 2009 15:43
nice - makes me excited to get my zn700 on the road - could you offer me some insight on the difference between the zn and the kz. i have yet to come into contact with anyone that has experience on both. i really wanted a kz but got a deal on my zn and i hope they are very similar in feel and ride (hope the kz is not alot sportier than my zn)
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- KZQ
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Re: Classic KZs take on America's Highest Road!
28 Feb 2009 17:04
Hi Sharkynrk,
The ZN's were shaft drive models, including the ZN1300, the ZN1100 and the ZN700. While the shafts are dependable and clean they are not as efficient at putting the power to the road as the chain drive bikes.
The 700 hundred part was Kawasaki's response to the Harley Tariff that was proposed to last for five years but was canceled after only two at Harley's request. It provided for a 45% tariff for any bike over 700 cc's.
KZCSI
The ZN's were shaft drive models, including the ZN1300, the ZN1100 and the ZN700. While the shafts are dependable and clean they are not as efficient at putting the power to the road as the chain drive bikes.
The 700 hundred part was Kawasaki's response to the Harley Tariff that was proposed to last for five years but was canceled after only two at Harley's request. It provided for a 45% tariff for any bike over 700 cc's.
KZCSI
www.KZ1300.com
Riders:
1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300
Riders:
1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300
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