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"New" member in Houston
- mtbspeedfreak
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I'm not new by anyone's measure; however, I just relocated to Houston for a job. One of those "good career move" type of deals...
Anyhow, can anyone recommend a shop that works on these old bikes? I do most of the work myself, but sometimes I get in over my head and would like to have a place scouted out ahead of time.
Also, if anyone's around who's up for a ride, let me know!
Thanks!
Mark
2000 ZRX 1100
1976 KZ 900- Daily Driver
1980 LTD 550- Dalton Highway survivor!
If it has tits or tires, it'll give you problems!
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- testarossa
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- Attack life, it's only trying to kill you.
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I can only give a tentative recommendation to one shop. The reason being is that I have not actually used his services, but I have met the owner. The shop is called Airline Motorcycle Center. Andre is active in the local vintage bike community and has a passion for Japanese fours. He has a killer CB550 that he built. He "seems" like a standup guy. Most shops around here cater to the Harley crowd and the will give you the standard nothing over 20yrs answer. The ones that don't will give you an outrageous price.
I can't ride right now since my bike is partially disassembled, but I hope to rectify that situation soon. I'm also happy to help you if time permits. I can't imagine anything that I couldn't sort out as I have done every bit of my bike. Maybe I suck at upholstery? I haven't tackled that yet on the bike. I did put the leather seats in our Mustang, and that worked out ok.
1978 KZ1000 A2 Click--->Build Thread
2004 ZX-10R
2007 Harley Sportster 1200
2020 Harley Street Glide Special
Angola, IN
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- Mcdroid
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- Gone Kwackers
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Michael
Victoria, Texas
1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A
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- 74ullc
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I'm always up for riding, but I live about an hour south of downtown Houston. What part of Houston are you in?
I don't know of a local shop either. We have one here in town that claims to work on vintage bikes, but I work on mine myself so I've never used them.
Our local Kaw dealer is supposed to have a few guys who worked on KZ's back in the day. There is also another local guy I just heard about, works out of his house. I need to go visit him. If you really got in a bind I'm sure someone could be found to work on it.
Riding around here won't be near as scenic as where you come from. Mostly just flat straight roads, but there is hill country not very far from here.
Gulf Coast, Texas
1977 KZ1000LTD
1984 VF700F
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- Motor Head
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- FIX UP YOUR BIKE RIGHT AND CHEAP
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The relay has already been in Texas, and now that your no longer in CA, I guess you'll miss out?
Hope the climate suits you.
1982 KZ1000LTD K2 Vance & Hines 4-1 ACCEL COILS Added Vetter fairing & Bags. FOX Racing rear Shocks, Braced Swing-arm, Fork Brace, Progressive Fork Springs RT Gold Emulators, APE Valve Springs, 1166 Big Bore kit, RS34's, GPZ cams.
1980 KZ550LTD C1 Stock SOLD Miss it
1979 MAZDA RX7 in the works, 13B...
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- 74ullc
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Motor Head wrote: Hope the climate suits you.
Hey...whats that supposed to mean? It's not that bad.....for about a month total out of the year. :blush:
Gulf Coast, Texas
1977 KZ1000LTD
1984 VF700F
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- sbc1320
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74ullc wrote:
Motor Head wrote: Hope the climate suits you.
Hey...whats that supposed to mean? It's not that bad.....for about a month total out of the year. :blush:
Plenty of humidity I guess, but I wouldn't have it any other way, too used to it.
1980 KZ1000 LTD-B4(MK II engine) - Progressive suspension, MTC pistons, Dynojet Stage III, all wear items replaced, WFO paint scheme(1978), etc..
Past bikes- 2 1976 Kz900's, 5 1975-76 Honda CB750's, Honda 500 -4, Honda 250, Honda 125, Honda 100, Suzuki RM 250, Honda XL350, Kawasaki KLR 650, etc..
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- Motor Head
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Just meant he won't be used to the heat or humidity. But he will get acclimated after awhile.74ullc wrote:
Motor Head wrote: Hope the climate suits you.
Hey...whats that supposed to mean? It's not that bad.....for about a month total out of the year. :blush:
AC in good working condition.
1982 KZ1000LTD K2 Vance & Hines 4-1 ACCEL COILS Added Vetter fairing & Bags. FOX Racing rear Shocks, Braced Swing-arm, Fork Brace, Progressive Fork Springs RT Gold Emulators, APE Valve Springs, 1166 Big Bore kit, RS34's, GPZ cams.
1980 KZ550LTD C1 Stock SOLD Miss it
1979 MAZDA RX7 in the works, 13B...
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- koolaid_kid
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OTOH, I rode year round. In fact, there were several years where all I had was a bike, an RD350. One of my favorite all time bikes.
1983 GPz 750
810 Wiseco, Kerker, K&N, DynoJet S3, Accel, Progressive, etc.
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- 74ullc
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koolaid_kid wrote: In fact, there were several years where all I had was a bike, an RD350. One of my favorite all time bikes.
Speaking of Houston and an RD350....this is only about 15 minutes from me. Very similar to an RD huh?
houston.craigslist.org/mcy/4086970326.html
I might call this guy and ask if I can just come see it. Maybe he will be up for it if I ride the KZ over.
Gulf Coast, Texas
1977 KZ1000LTD
1984 VF700F
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- koolaid_kid
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1983 GPz 750
810 Wiseco, Kerker, K&N, DynoJet S3, Accel, Progressive, etc.
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- Motor Head
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- FIX UP YOUR BIKE RIGHT AND CHEAP
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1982 KZ1000LTD K2 Vance & Hines 4-1 ACCEL COILS Added Vetter fairing & Bags. FOX Racing rear Shocks, Braced Swing-arm, Fork Brace, Progressive Fork Springs RT Gold Emulators, APE Valve Springs, 1166 Big Bore kit, RS34's, GPZ cams.
1980 KZ550LTD C1 Stock SOLD Miss it
1979 MAZDA RX7 in the works, 13B...
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