Z1OwnersClub GB

Hi Folks,

I'm new to the Z1 OC forum, but not Zeds. I returned to biking in August after a bit of a sabbatical - 20 years to be precise!

I bought a January 93 (K plate) FireBlade in the iconic colours of Red White and Purple, but I've come to the painful conclusion that a FireBlade is not for me as it's caused an old motocross injury (broken right wrist) to flare up every time I ride it, so will be parting company next year in favour of a Z900.

My link with Kawasaki goes back to 1977 when I met a gorgeous girl (now wife) when she was 16 (almost 17 she told me) and I was working in the Castle (nightclub) in Richmond. I was riding a 1971 H**** CB750K1 and was planning to PX it for an almost new Z900, but never did as I spent more money on her than I earned!

Anyway to cut a long story short, I owned several Zeds in the late 70s/early 80s in the form of a Z750B1, a Z650B1 and the last Zed I owned was a Z750E which I threw down the road in about 1985. I wish I had bought a Z900 back then! Back in the 70s I rode mates' H1s, H2s and a Z1B (and a Jota ), but the Zed seed was well and truely sown! Then kids came along and my sabbatical started. I last rode a CBR600 in 1996 and had no problems with the wrist back then, so I guess the last 20 years has taken its toll on it.

So, next year I will part company with the FireBlade and look to buy a good Z900, the bike I always wanted. The asking prices are a bit scary though, but asking is one thing and what the seller gets is something else, I hope. I've been keeping my eye on the market for a little while and there are a lot of US imports about and old tat, so I will need to buy very carefully.

Here's a few photos of my Zeds, and hopefully by the summer of next year a Z900 will join the list.

"When I learn how to post a photo, I'll be back! :oops:" - Cracked it, thanks for the pointers and to the person who went to the trouble of listing the various steps to post a photo!








Cheers
Andrew

Good luck with finding the right bike

Welcome to the site and hope You find the right bike soon

Take a look under announcement - how to post pictures in the new here section.

Welcome along

Thanks for the welcome and yes, I do hope to find the right bike and I'm willing to wait until it comes along.

As to real world prices as opposed to some of the more speculative prices I've seen advertised, I would welcome advice as to a realistic price range as to what I should expect to pay - ideally I would like an original UK Z900 with good history. Condition and history is more important to me than mileage. But I wouldn't turn my back on a US or Euro import providing it met my criteria.

Advice and price guidance much appreciated.


I've finally cracked how to post photos (above) with the help of the Thread which guided me through the various steps - thanks!

Cheers
Andrew

Andrew_s wrote:Thanks for the welcome and yes, I do hope to find the right bike and I'm willing to wait until it comes along.

As to real world prices as opposed to some of the more speculative prices I've seen advertised, I would welcome advice as to a realistic price range as to what I should expect to pay - ideally I would like an original UK Z900 with good history. Condition and history is more important to me than mileage. But I wouldn't turn my back on a US or Euro import providing it met my criteria.

Advice and price guidance much appreciated.


I've finally cracked how to post photos (above) with the help of the Thread which guided me through the various steps - thanks!

Cheers
Andrew

Depends what you term as a 'speculative' price?....

Original UK models are MUCH rarer than your 'a' typical Yank import and can command a premium. Also the important parts that are unique to the UK model tend not to be available from pattern suppliers (long rear guard, grab rails etc) so can be much harder to source if trying to return a bike to original UK Spec.

I'd budget £8-10K for proper A4 that's something like original or restored to original in the right way.

Have a read through the link below, having all the important 'right' numbers in the right places makes a big price difference from all the bitsas that are out there.

http://www.freewebs.com/750rs/datecodes.htm

Garry.L wrote:

Andrew_s wrote: Depends what you term as a 'speculative' price?....

Original UK models are MUCH rarer than your 'a' typical Yank import and can command a premium. Also the important parts that are unique to the UK model tend not to be available from pattern suppliers (long rear guard, grab rails etc) so can be much harder to source if trying to return a bike to original UK Spec.

I'd budget £8-10K for proper A4 that's something like original or restored to original in the right way.

Have a read through the link below, having all the important 'right' numbers in the right places makes a big price difference from al the bitsas that are out there.

http://www.freewebs.com/750rs/datecodes.htm

Thanks Garry, that's very useful info and link. Your figures are about the budget I was thinking of; maybe £2,000 more for something special.

When I say 'speculative' I'm referring to some sellers thinking they can ask good UK Z900 with history money for an imported US spec model with no provenance, or in some cases even more. For example, there is a US Z900 on FleaBay at the moment with 'low mileage' but no supporting documentation - it started off £5,000 more than your suggested upper bracket. It soon dropped £2,000. I'm not criticising the bike as I haven't seen it, but it would need to be very special to command that money. At the end of the day, it will be worth what someone is prepared to pay I guess.

Worse still are the overpriced bitsas that are either knowingly, or otherwise, advertised as what they are not.

My only conclusion is that buying a good UK Z900 may be a challenge, but I will take my time and when the right one is in front of me I'll hopefully know...........

'Caveat Emptor' as they say.

Cheers
Andrew

Welcome from Hampshire Andrew.

AL

zorded wrote:Welcome from Hampshire Andrew.

AL

Thanks AL,

Our first house was in Holybourne, Nr Alton, but that was more than a few years ago now.

Cheers
Andrew

Youre five miles along the road i'm in Farnborough.
This guy is in our area (Fleet Hants) and usually has a range of stuff for sale. Not a 'pop up' shop he's been around for a while now.
Could be worth a look but cant say i have had any dealings with him.

http://www.classicsuperbikes.co.uk/cata ... -sale.html

AL

zorded wrote:Youre five miles along the road i'm in Farnborough.
This guy is in our area (Fleet Hants) and usually has a range of stuff for sale. Not a 'pop up' shop he's been around for a while now.
Could be worth a look but cant say i have had any dealings with him.

http://www.classicsuperbikes.co.uk/cata ... -sale.html

AL

Thanks again AL, that's a very useful link and they have and have sold a number of nice Zeds, or so it seems. I'll pop over and see him as he's only 15 mins from me. They may even be interested in my FireBlade (PX or SOR) as they specialise in 90s superbikes too.

Reading the website info the guy's name is Chris Bunce and I knew a guy by that name in the late 80s - so who knows, he may be one in the same?

Edit: Thought I'd just show off my newly aquired posting photos skill and add one of the FireBlade!





Cheers
Andrew

Welcome to the forum,beware, the Zed world is shark infested water,always plenty of advice on here some of it is even good

PAULJAC47 wrote:Welcome to the forum,beware, the Zed world is shark infested water,always plenty of advice on here some of it is even good

Wont you have a nicely restored A4 for sale soon Paul?.

PAULJAC47 wrote:Welcome to the forum,beware, the Zed world is shark infested water,always plenty of advice on here some of it is even good

Thanks for the welcome and heads-up Paul.

I know what you mean about shark infested waters as I've been into classic Triumph cars for many years (and own a couple) and it's the same in that market. I've advised and helped a number buyers get the right car for them - sorting the original condition (or spec) from the bitsas and ringers.

It's a shame that as soon as the prices go up out come the less scrupulous sellers, so if can help stop an unknowing buyer buying a 'turd rolled in glitter' (loved that!) then I will.

Cheers
Andrew