Kawasaki Z250

I've just be given a basket case Z250. Late 70s/early 80s.
Yes, yes, yes, I know about buying basket cases - I didn't buy this
one, it was free.

What does the vox populi think of Z250s?

I don't remember anyone raving about them when the first appeared.
And I don't remember anybody slating them either.

Any thoughts?

Dave

 

The Z250 twins weren't bad for a 4-stroke. The Z250 was probably the best of
the bunch in terms of performance. The XS250 was very slow but reliable; the
CB250G5/CJ250T were *utter* shite; the 250Dream/Superdream was slow and
heavy, but again reliable (mechanically at least). The Z250C (single pot)
was fun but not on a par with the CB250RS.
I assume yours is a twin? The last of these iirc, was the Z250'Scorpion'.
Not bad for its time ,but seriously outperformed by any of the strokers.The
main thing I always remember about 70/80s 4-stroke twins was always change
the oil regularly or you will wreck the cam/head.
Funnily enough I've just seen someone flogging an engine for one in our
local free ads paper.
Thinking of using it as a 'Morocco Steed' then?

JB

 

Depends which model - there were two basic types, the single and the
twin, and both appeared in multiple variants.

The single is rarer and we got it as a straight roadster - sort of an
overgrown Z200 - and a US Custom version. Nice little soft engine, but
a bit slow.

The twin, aka the Scorpion, is far more common. They were also
amazingly fast for a four-stroke, because they were actually designed
as a 250 rather than being a sleeved-down 400 like the Yamaha or Honda
twins of the era.

Engine's a Honda-like SOHC twin. Early ones had trouble because the oil
pump gear was plastic and stripped its teeth..... They were always in a
high state of tune, and needed careful servicing, especially oil
changes and valve clearances.

First ones were a sort of silver-blue. There was a green meanie Kork
Ballington model (special paint only). They also produced a sort of
economy version with wire wheels and drum brakes. Then it got even more
power, a monoshock rear end and belt drive, exactly like the GPz305.
The 305 is a bored-out 250, and appallingly unreliable.

I've owned a standard model. They're bloody good fun to ride - they do
over 90 (something like 95-97 on the clock) and handle well.
Economical, too.

They're not collectable - £500 should get you a really nice example.
So worth spending a little dosh on if you want a commuter hack.

Problem areas - top ends, camchains, crankshafts, like the 305 - only
not quite as bad.

 

Yes its a Z250 twin. 1980 model.

I remember the XS250 for those reasons - slow but reliable.

The CJ250 was total shite. Shiter than the CB250G5.

I've owned CB250RS's and still have one in the throes of being rebuilt.

The Kwak turned up for nowt so I said yes I'll have it.

Dave

 

Erm, what's a Morocco Steed ?
Anything to do with camels?


Dave

 

Amazingly so! and the K4 was such a nice bike too.

There was a rare and strange thing possible with the G5. The fork tops
could let water leak in. Over time the air gap above the oil could be
consumed until a hydraulic lock was formed. Still, a rigid front end
didn't make the handling worse.

 

Those *mad* buggers who did Frankfurt on very small engined bikes and are
proposing Morocco as the next destination.

Jb

 

Was it bollocks. Given that the 250 choice around that time included
the beautiful pear-shaped tank RD250, the Kwak S1 and the GT250 anyone
choosing a Honda was quite clearly a complete sad git of a loser.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2
`\|/`
`

 

I didn't but several mates wanted 4 strokes, all the above were 2. RD
man I was.

 

TFFT.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2
`\|/`
`

 

Streuth NO! I haven't heard of those "adventures" so far.
Presumably a search through the group archive will turn up some details
of their exploits?

Dave

 

Erm. I had a Honda CB200, so do I count as a double sad git loser, or a
pikey sad git loser? <grin>

I had a "round tank" RD350 (1974) later. Fucking mental, but only 22mpg
at best.....

The S1 - is that the white one? around 1971-ish

 

I can confirm this, having briefly owned one.

 

This isn't AA FFS

 

Not unsurprisingly the RD's were just as reliable as the 4T's though the
idiot who decided on an MZ TS250 rather let the side down. Not to
underestimate the K1-4 and 250/350 Honda's mind, there is a whole Road
Race class for them in Ireland and those boys have a *lot* of fun for no
money. It's actually quite tempting around 0330 some nights.

 

Is that when they come past your house on full noise?

 

LOL....it's the 900cc Weslakes that make the ears bleed

 

Oh yes it is.

<Holds up hand>

I owned a CJ250. *And* a Honda CB360 (which I admit wasn't as bad as
the 250)

 

I had a K1 and a CX500 at the same time <wince>

 

'Hog said...

Your idea of 'no money' differs from mine then. A race prepped 350K4
sells for upwards of 3 large and some spares aren't easy to find so are
consequently expensive. I'd rather buy a race prepped CBR600 for that
money and know I'll be able to keep it in one piece for ever