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New rider, first bike, 1982 KZ1100
- SmokyOwl
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Still... you guys are right, last thing I want is for me to tip. Lets face it, I haven't ridden in a while and my skills have collected some dust over the winter. This weekend is supposed to be soggy and not fun anyways. When I do get better I'll probably keep it to my very local training road, get back in riding shape.
1982 Kawasaki KZ1100 A2, Shaft
Never trade the thrill of living for the safety of existance.
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- Shabba
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As far as Deals Gap goes, when you are up to it, it's a must do road. I've been down driving cars and riding bikes and it's sweet any which way you decide to do it. The suggestions to trailer your bike are great. I prefer to ride there, about a 4 hour ride or drive for me from Central Virginia, and stay a long weekend. It's fairly close to Knoxville so there is plenty to do when you are not carving up the countryside.
-Colin
-82 GPZ750
-15 Yamaha FZ-09
-00 Suzuki TL1000S
-13 Nissan Nismo Juke
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- SmokyOwl
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I made an adjustment to my clutch handle, choking it up the bar an inch...feels much better using it and the clutch cable isn't as tight on the guides. It does look weird with that gap between the grip and clutch placement but function before form in this case.
Oh, I did find something that really helps with faded plastic, used it on my control switch housings. Can't say for similar products but just rub a little of this stuff on, wipe off the excess, and it keeps that dull fade away. Don't know why it works, I know it's for tires, but it works wonders for me. Below is exactly what I used.
www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G7516-Endurance-...s=Meguiars+endurance
Started using the stuff last year on some exterior plastic on my car, lasted a solid year. I think it replenishes the oils in the plastic, similar to replenishing oils in the sidewall of the tire.
1982 Kawasaki KZ1100 A2, Shaft
Never trade the thrill of living for the safety of existance.
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- SmokyOwl
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In other news I asked a couple of coworkers (crotch-rocket riders) if it'd be alright to ride with them on the way home, but decided against it due to their aggressive riding tendencies. Could the bike hang with 'em...yeah....could my skill level keep up with 'em...no. Put on the high likelihood of animal encounters (especially after what happened tonight) and it'd just be asking for trouble.
1982 Kawasaki KZ1100 A2, Shaft
Never trade the thrill of living for the safety of existance.
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- Yetanotherkzrider
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- SmokyOwl
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Yetanotherkzrider wrote: Good luck! I had an 1100 for a few years and loved it. The thing had tons of power. I wouldn't mess with the looks too much since yours looks so nice. I'd probably get rid of the tassels though.
I did get rid of those tassels. The lights would definitely be for practicality and function, but hopefully I'll be able to find something that matches the styling of the bike.
As for the power of the bike, I generally try and keep it under 4k rpms. I realize the bike IS older than I am, and I don't wanna break a rod or ruin the clutch or something bad like that. But it's good to know the power is there when I need it.
1982 Kawasaki KZ1100 A2, Shaft
Never trade the thrill of living for the safety of existance.
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- SmokyOwl
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A Z1R 1000.......smh.....unreal. too bad it's not turbocharged, I'm sure that'd make it worth even more.
1982 Kawasaki KZ1100 A2, Shaft
Never trade the thrill of living for the safety of existance.
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- SmokyOwl
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I knew the drive home would be close on the gas meter. Looking at the gage I had 1/4 tank left for a 35 mile journey. I kept it at 55mph to conserve fuel, and as the road was quite desolate and chilly. I get into my town, main traffic red light, it turns green I take off, and it's a little hesitant to rev and go. Needle's at 1/8th of a tank, right on that little line above empty. A mile and a half down the road same thing happens again....and it just stops. Having my cold weather gloves on I wasn't about to fumble a dangerous attempt to turn the petcock while rolling along, (not to mention I haven't memorized where the petcock is exactly). So I pull it over to the side, allowing the handful of cars to pass behind me. I concentrate....find the petcock....my thoughts start to turn to panic: "Will it work? is it broken?" I turn it 180 degrees....one way to find out I guess. Turn it over....fires right up. I'm another mile and a half away from my gas station. That woulda been a heck of a push. Odd thing though, the tank only took 3.5 gallons...thought it was a 5 gallon tank...what's up with that? Over a gallon of reserve fuel? Really?
SO now I know the signs of running out of fuel, that my petcock works (a good test to be sure), and what the needle looks like when I should start to worry about fuel. A pretty important lesson I think.
1982 Kawasaki KZ1100 A2, Shaft
Never trade the thrill of living for the safety of existance.
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- pete greek1
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Pete
1980 LTD 1000..,1976 LTD 900, have the 1000&900 now. the rest are previous= 1978 KZ 650 B.., 1980 Yamaha XT 500..,1978 Yamaha DT 400.., 1977 Yamaha yz 80..,Honda trail ct 70.., Honda QA 50...5-1/2 hp brigs & straton CAT chopper mini bike...3-1/2 hp mini bike (WHEN GAS WAS ABOUT 45 CENTS A GALLON)!!!!
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- SmokyOwl
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pete greek1 wrote: Did you remember to turn the petcock to on when you fueled up ?
Pete
I did! I think I did it before I even got off the bike to gas up, and I double-checked when I got home too.
1982 Kawasaki KZ1100 A2, Shaft
Never trade the thrill of living for the safety of existance.
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- pete greek1
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Pete
1980 LTD 1000..,1976 LTD 900, have the 1000&900 now. the rest are previous= 1978 KZ 650 B.., 1980 Yamaha XT 500..,1978 Yamaha DT 400.., 1977 Yamaha yz 80..,Honda trail ct 70.., Honda QA 50...5-1/2 hp brigs & straton CAT chopper mini bike...3-1/2 hp mini bike (WHEN GAS WAS ABOUT 45 CENTS A GALLON)!!!!
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- SWest
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- 10 22 2014
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Steve
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