New member.

[ReggieB]

Welcome! From a former GPZ 750 owner

[system7]

The GPZ-750 was a handsome beast. Bit big for me though, and I never liked the lack of low-end torque with 4 cylinder four strokes.

I think one of my brothers had the Yam or Suziki 250cc two stroke.

He managed to lose the top of his finger by fiddling with the chain while the engine was running.

They sewed it back on and he then was able to still play blues guitar as badly as before.

My brother Chris bought this monster in the seventies. The Kwacker KH-750. Bit of a bird -puller too. There was always a crowd of spectators round it when he parked it in town. But it threw a tank-slapper on him once, at 110mph, and he sold it the next day.

Kawasaki KH-750 The Widow-maker.jpg

[KAWASAKI ADDICT]

Both very nice indeed. Worth a fair amount of £s as well now.

[system7]

The motorbikers in London were quite a tight-knit community in the 1970's.

We were all wondering where Kawasaki would go after the four-stroke 4 cylinder 750 and 900 cc bikes.

Turned out it was the ridiculous and heavy 6 cylinder Z-1300. Only person who bought one was a small 5' female.

She was a local legend.

[KAWASAKI ADDICT]

I agree. I'll stick with my ZX9R. In the kitchen for winter overhaul. New discs, fork seals, radiator etc.

[system7]

I have had a browse at my local dealer recently.

Couple of very nice stripped down 400cc singles there. AJS and Mash Chinese built bikes:

https://mashmotors.lv/en/400-cc-cat/

Quality is better than most people think apparently. Just wonder if I am a bit old for this game.

It must be in the blood actually. My Dad escaped across France from the Germans on a motorbike in WW2, when it had all gone pear-shaped in 1940.

Got home in one piece, anyway.

[KAWASAKI ADDICT]

The biggest problem with Chinese bikes is depreciation. Value drops like a stone. Better to get a 2 Yr old Honda cb500 for similar money.

[system7]

Thank you for some sage advice there.

In the 500cc category, it's gotta be a twin. Low end grunt is important.

I did see a nice Kwacker 500 twin recently. But Honda has always worked for me too.

Second hand is a good option.

[karma67]

Should've got your hands on an RD250!! The bike responsible for reducing engine capacity to 125 for learners! Completely Bonkers!

that reminds me of sidewinders,those small 1 wheeled things you bolted to you bike to get round the 125cc law.