This might be the final result.
https://www.morebikes.co.uk/41201/official-images-of-kawasakis-2018-z900rs-revealed/
Thats very nice :drool:
Do like that. A lot. Very nice :smitten:
Looks interesting ! :smile2:
Nice but couldn't contemplate losing 500cc - no substitute for cubes.
That does look nice. Wonder what the prices will be like.
Nice looking bike.
Quote from: Timothy Spencer on Thursday, 19 October 2017, 01:22 AM
Nice but couldn't contemplate losing 500cc - no substitute for cubes.
Agreed. Should have bunged in that zx1400 lump.
The problem for me is the original really was something special.
A bit of a monster in its day and a class leader. A landmark bike.
This is another Mini, Jeep, VW Beetle etc.
It might be better than the original in any ways but by modern standards
its not THAT special, the tribute looks is just a markets ploy.
A naked ZX14R would be of a LOT more interest, but would probably sell
like another B-King, a sensible size 900 will shift more numbers.
Haven't seen the final spec but I'd bet on it having a fashionable tiny tank
like many of the current models.
EDIT: Having looked at the link in the first post again, good luck with getting
an exhaust that small if your familiar with current models.
Fingers crossed it does sell. A healthy Jap retro naked bike market alongside
Triumph and a few others might temp Suzuki to have another go!
We all try to get more fuel into our 14's, and thats a bike with a good sized fuel tank.
I think you will probably be right on the Z900's tank size Tony.
Looks good IMWO :salute:
another mini sums it up. a classic look ala original will always look good. they were gorgeous bikes, jaw droppers when they arrived. i had to port and fit expansion chambers, homemade, to gt750 to keep up. pity it used so much fuel. ive done the 140k tank slapper on a 900, hated them forever after that. my boss and mate had first two jaffas in state. my boss bike glazed the bore, smoked. we got approval from kawa to de glaze, fit new rings. they supplied all parts inc. the full box of valve shims. was pretty exciting for an 18 yr old 2nd yr apprentice. just the tank slapping, was so bad. frame was just rubber.
Quote from: grog on Thursday, 19 October 2017, 07:36 PM
another mini sums it up. a classic look ala original will always look good. they were gorgeous bikes, jaw droppers when they arrived. i had to port and fit expansion chambers, homemade, to gt750 to keep up. pity it used so much fuel. ive done the 140k tank slapper on a 900, hated them forever after that. my boss and mate had first two jaffas in state. my boss bike glazed the bore, smoked. we got approval from kawa to de glaze, fit new rings. they supplied all parts inc. the full box of valve shims. was pretty exciting for an 18 yr old 2nd yr apprentice. just the tank slapping, was so bad. frame was just rubber.
Yep that frame sure was something else. I bought a gusset kit for mine, which basically was a set of plates to weld to the frame to firm it up, did a pretty good job as well, you actually felt the back wheel was still connected to the front after that. Not cheap then, plus getting the frame re-painted, new bearings etc once fitted but worth it (at the time). I also fitted a Dave Degens' swing arm to mine (had one on my GT750A as well), which improved the wallowing.
But when I think now about how we all used to chuck our bikes around on those skinny tyres then, compared to tyres now...... :shocked:
Ridden several early Z900's but never owned one.
I did have a slightly similar 1977 US import KZ1000 for a few years though.
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi64.tinypic.com%2F2hnxojc.jpg&hash=faed94630ec88ba2485a74f09f0998b50dbda770)
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi65.tinypic.com%2F2ext1xu.jpg&hash=bf39cb50d2cadbba785690bd3cf27142b2b2a7e8)
love the deer antler bars, clip ons or ace on suzuki cant tell. i used to change bars every second weekend, great fun. i finally bought laverda adjustables, amazing bars. use as clip ons or other way up. often thought theyd be ok today, available, not sure.
Not a bad looking bike..Like Tony said though, the original was a very special ground breaking machine in it's day.
I guess this new one will be bought by people that had one of the originals and want's to try and re live the dream
Quote from: froudy on Sunday, 22 October 2017, 03:10 AM
Not a bad looking bike..Like Tony said though, the original was a very special ground breaking machine in it's day.
I guess this new one will be bought by people that had one of the originals and want's to try and re live the dream
Talking about this with other riders.
There's a heap of riders who were either too young, broke or had kids etc that
were familiar with the big Zeds but never had one. Riders who now have a full
licence and the finance and know the Kwak was something special in its day.
The GSX14 is a reasonably good bike on ability alone, but making it look a little
like a big muscle bike from the late 70's early 80's works for some folk (like me).
I do like Old Skool / retro / classic designs and don't mind them being reused.
I just wish they weren't turned into bikes with average ability, small tanks and
Just fashionable novelty items instead of being the brutes they once were.
Unfortunatly Tony the world is a changing place, we are getting anally retentive about being P bloody C, macines have to be super green and not make any noise so those old bikes are starting to retain their value as it seems a lot of people are getting sick of it. I dont think we will eer see a real brute come out of Japan again.
Please don't mention PC........ :frustrated:
Quote from: mjgt on Monday, 23 October 2017, 05:57 PM. I dont think we will eer see a real brute come out of Japan again.
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi63.tinypic.com%2F211jksy.jpg&hash=a09c36c706dad9e58a334b79478483a864b10b2f)
They dont count, track focussed crutch rockets do nothing for me, nekid is the only way.
First (?) recall on the new Z900. https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/kawasaki-recalls-late-model-z900-motorcycle-for-possible-rear-suspension-defect (https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/kawasaki-recalls-late-model-z900-motorcycle-for-possible-rear-suspension-defect)
They must have got hold of the Putty & Peanut Butter blend Suzuki use to make their bolts! :stir:
Haven't heard of shite bolts on the 14. What did I miss?
the retro one needs twin shocks fitting then it'll look right .
seams they might have made the tie link plates to thin/low standard metal.
cost cutting rules thesedays
:furious:
Quote from: Andre on Thursday, 18 January 2018, 03:30 AM
Haven't heard of shite bolts on the 14. What did I miss?
exhaust bolts :furious:
tho to be fair the bolts are just about ok it's the fact the bike was assembled with no assembly fluids and are different metals being the main cause of the problems
:furious:
Exhaust bolt disaster seems more "forgetting" the copper paste. I have been praying continuously to be spared the drama. Will possibly see if praying helps (or the many tips I read about it) soon. One used header pipe is in the mail for some prior testing if what I want to do is even possible (for me).