Leeann wrote:
Now I just have to find those instructions or wait until he gets back from his motorcycle ride (in keeping with the spirit of the thread, it's an '82 Kawasaki KZ550 LTD, 4-stroke, 4-cyl).
OK Leeann, this is really wild...
A year ago, I went looking for a motorcycle to ride to work, so I could avoid putting more miles on our minivan, and for the simple fact that the fuel mileage for a bike is soooo much better than it. Since fall was coming on, the thought of "gasoline-assisted cryotherapy" (nice cool fall riding) being wonderful for my arthritis appealed to me strongly. I found what I was looking for about forty miles away, listed on Craigslist. A fully Vetterized 1983 Kawasaki KZ1100 A-3, in very good condition for being stored nearly ten years in a machine shop.
Aside from rebuilding the carbs and tuning it up, along with the other maintenance stuff needed by a thirty-plus year old machine, it's red, fast and comfortable. The P.O. still had all his documentation from the local dealer up until it was parked, and wanted it to go to someone who wanted to take care of it and ride it
regularly. That was me. After I paid him $1500, I rode away. Nothing like a Kaw inline four. "Voodoo Red" as I call her, will be cared for very well, and I"ll continue to ride, weather permitting.
Shortly after getting "Red" (and doing a load of the maintenance stuff...) my insurance agent told me that if I took the MSF Basic Rider Course my insurance on "Red" would be less, when I brought in proof that I passed. So I did. One Rider Coach watched me pull up on the day of the course, and was thoroughly looking "Red" over. I offered him to go for a spin, and he took me up on the offer. Turns out he owned an '82 like "Red" (full Vetter fairing, bags and all) at one time, and he said he never got over selling his. He remarked that if I ever wanted to sell, to call him, and handed me his card.
It's amazing what is valuable to most folks. Sure, I'd love to have something new, but I prefer the smooth power and handling of "Red" over a new V-Twin something or another any day. And she's a good-looking gal, a real one-off. As cliche' as it sounds, they really "don't build 'em like they used to."
Even more dangerous on two wheels!
Mark/whiteknight001
