Hello KZRiders

Hey Gang,

Hello from Longmont, Co! Brand new to bikes but not new to wrenching or building, was a professional Auto mechanic for nearly a decade before I had to switch professions due to some health issues. Dad is a long time KZ guy growing up on an SR650 and many other Kawi's. He recently started up a motorcycle restoration company out of his garage called Klassy Kaw and helped me locate my first bike, a 1981 KZ440 LTD, black with red pinstripping and 11k original miles, never dropped or laid down.

Went through my motorcycle course (Abate in CO MSF endorsed etc) and got my license. Been riding for only a few weeks now but loving every minute of it and growing more confident and comfortable by the minute. Thanks to Pops I have plenty of other bikes and sizes to ride on and get comfortable to, a few years back he picked up his 79' SR650 in mint condition and rebuilt it to better than new, and he just picked up and is in the middle of restoring a 87' KZ1100 police spec cruiser and a 82' KZ550 Spectre, which will be the next bike I ride in a month or two.

Little bit about me, grew up building and racing cars, first car was a 1985 Camaro Z28 that pops and I had built from two totaled 3rd gen Camaros in the garage, turned it into a race car/daily driver that I learned in and raced in. Did the Hit Rod Power Tour Long Haul 4 times now and lots of miles on the road, can't wait to put that many more on the rode but this time on a bike I'm 27, married and have a son who is a miniature giant lol, and now work as a Trainer for Apple.

Looking forward to learning and listening to all the great advice and tech on here, ride safe and all the gear all the time!

- Irish

Welcome aboard! Your bike looks great! Ed

Welcome. Remember, drivers are looking for cars and trucks not bikes. They'll look straight at you and not see you.
Ride safe.
Steve

650ed wrote: Welcome aboard! Your bike looks great! Ed

swest wrote: Welcome. Remember, drivers are looking for cars and trucks not bikes. They'll look straight at you and not see you.
Ride safe.
Steve

Thanks Ed, really appreciate that and really enjoying how nimble she is and fun to ride, have to say I was already wishing she had a bit more get up and go though, but coming from a racing background I am not surprised by that. Better to learn and really get some seat time on something smaller like this than trying to jump up prematurely.

Thanks Steve, I try to assume that pretty much everyone on the road is trying to kill me, either accidentally or purposefully lol. Grew up learning to drive playing the "what If" game always figuring out multiple options out of any imaginary situation, bringing that back now again learning to ride and serving me well.

- Irish

650ed wrote: Welcome aboard! Your bike looks great! Ed

Ed was scanning through some other forums and reads such as the 650 forum and realized you've helped my Pops (ajsfirehawk on the 650 forum), great advice and thanks for the help. I remember when he was dealing with the cam tensioner issue. His 81 KZ440 is the bike pic I put up and his that is mine to ride, small world haha

nice looking bike enjoy the ride

Kwaker2000 wrote: nice looking bike enjoy the ride

Thanks you Kwaker, will do and jumping on the bike this evening after work for a ride in fact

- Irish