Nice Z400

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1979-KAWASAKI-RED_W0QQitemZ4627969343QQcategoryZ98
07QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I really liked my old Z400 twin. As did Petrolcan after he bought it,
until some shitbag stole it.

This one isn't quite as describer: it's a mix & match between various
models. It has a Custom tank, seat and tailpiece, but spoked wheels (the
Custom, aka - I think - the D1) had alloys. That was the one I had.

And the guards should be chromed, not painted.

Aftermarket cans, but you'd expect that.

So.... not quite as it appears, but nice nonetheless.

 

The Older Gentleman said...

Froom what I remember the B1 did have a tailpiece, but I don't remember
what shape tank it had. I don't like the way he's hammered the silencer
to clear the kick-start lever, he could have done that a little neater.

I found a picture of this 1976 model, which suggests it might not be as
unoriginal as you first thought:

http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/372788/

 

Yes, I think you're right.

However, the mudguards should definitely be chrome and not painted. My
guess is that they were looking manky.

 

They were considered sort of plodding and commuterish even in the 1970s,
but everyone I know who's had one has really liked them. I liked mine.
So did P'can. Champ liked his, I think. They had a really torquey
engine, were very easy on fuel and they made a nice noise, which (oddly)
counted for a lot.

 

You owned a 400 while still at school?!! I don't know if I could have
coped with that much good head at such a tender age.

 

So did I until the last two years of school (thank gawd). The rest
doesn't quite compute, I guess your trying to help Ace along.

 

Champ said...

When I was in the 5th form I used to get picked up from school by my
girlfriend in her M regd Hillman Imp.

 

It was the phrase "picked up from school", that set off a
memory in my mind of my sister nearly crying from the
shame...


....of being picked up from school by my Dad on his R51/3
with a Stieb sidecar. Funny but I really enjoyed it...!

Not quite as cool as being picked up by an older girlfriend,
with a car!

Nick

 

Steib, unless he got a cheap Far-Eastern knock-off.

 

Frinton Boy said...

Better still, she was my elder sister's 17 (nearly 18) yr old
schoolmate.