Bike of the Month March 2009.

Owner:  Mark Ponsford (pigford) KZ1000r from the z1ownersclub in the UK.

I got my ELR in September 2008.

It is NOT standard and has a bit of history. Back in 1989 a couple of well known bike shops did some work on it....
Steve Bateman (Bournemouth UK) & Debben Performance (still going strong today)

had the cases milled out and 1260cc liners fitted 
The 1989 spec:
1260 Wiseco kit. Megacycle .410 cams. Under bucket shims.

Gas flowed head. s/s valves. APE billet cam chain adjuster.

V&H; end pipe & s/s headers. Fournale air shox. JMC s/arm. 1-off CMA wheels. Mikuni RFS38's. K&N;'s..... etc.



When I collected the bike & got it home.....  Things weren't quite what they seemed

The bike was a poor starter (took a good minute) but didn't smoke. After a week of fiddling about with the carbs (which turned out to be only RFS34's) I decided to do a compression test. Only 100 psi # 1, 2 & 3 and 80psi # 4.

So its engine strip down time 

Top end is as spec & valves looked OK so just lapped them in & fitted new stem seals & APE h/d springs.



Barrels & pistons...    Only 1075cc!  RE BORE time.
Got some 75mm Wiseco hi-comp pistons & re bored barrels. Engine out & full strip.
Got cases grit blasted... paints with PJ1 satin & rebuilt with new seals & 'O' rings etc.
New cam chain... h/d barrel studs.....



Engine back in......... time to re-assemble top end...



Just got a bit more engine stuff to whack back together.......  Roll on summer

another great bike, i thought white would make a nice change and mark's bike is very clean example.

congratulations pigford ole buddy break out the tea and biscuits.

kano.

We will be featuring a different bike each month on kz1000r.com

that we feel is deserving of the title "Bike of The Month."
 
Check back often to see what our pick is.

To nominate or submit your own bike for  "Bike of The Month."
Send some info on yourself your bike and loads of pic's bigger the better.

PLEASE SEND IN YOUR INFO IF YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO OWN ONE OF THESE BIKES!

I really want to bring THIS Registry up to date so accurate number's left in circulation can be made available,

this will intern help us get a true market value for insurance purposes.

Please include the chassis number and the month of production printed on the headstock of your bike.

Your name and location. and most importantly a picture's of your bike.


E-mail me at:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Bike of the Month Jan 2009.

Owner: Eric Murphy's (Murph's) KZ1000j from the z1ownersclub in the UK.

Here’s a list of mod's and parts on my bike,

it started life as a J model (round tank us import),

Front end – FZR1000 ex-up front wheel,forks,fender with race spec Bridgestone Tyre,

One off top yoke, ex-up bottom yoke,

One off fork brace with engraving,

One off fairing brackets after market fairing with twin cibies, carbon effect screen,

Super bike bars ex-up switchgear 750 clocks,

Quick action throttle  exup master cylinder & brakes,

ELR tank with aircraft filler tank breather and pingle tap,

Aftermarket mirrors, standard ignition switch,

Frame – Braced and cut to take single sider powder coated,

Mocal oil cooler on one off bracket,

Engine-J bottom end gpz1100 top end 1170 Wiseco big bore ELR cams ape studs,

heavy duty clutch,

Electronic ignition Goodridge hoses,

Mikuni 36 mm flat sides,

One off pipe- Kerker down pipes mated to Vance & Hines ssr2 cut down can,

Back end – VFR750 Honda single sider with Honda brake and torque arm,

and wheel with 180 Tyre,

One off sprocket and carrier,

One off chain guard with heavy duty chain,

One off under tray,

One off rear sets& linkages,

Hydraulic brake light switch,

All body work is standard ELR painted to my spec by a friend with a body shop,

ELR seat and J rail modded to fit,

All one off parts by friend with machine shop and myself,

Hope this will keep you going, although I’ve probably forgotten something!

Hope you don’t mind it being a clone.

Murph.

No murph we don't mind it being a clone.

there is no snobbery here bro!

The rear end conversion is one ive wanted to do for years,

but the fact its one of the hardest conversions there is has stopped me.

Your bike is Fantastic and you must be very proud of what you have accomplished.

Congratulations on being our first Bike of the month!

i'D like to welcome another kz1000r2 owner to the registry,

Mark Ponsford (Pigford) from the z1ownersclub in the UK.
We will be featuring a different bike each month on kz1000r.com
that we feel is deserving of the title "Bike of The Month."
 
Check back often to see what our pick is.

To nominate or submit your own bike for  "Bike of The Month." 
Send some info on yourself your bike and loads of pic's bigger the better.

PLEASE SEND IN YOUR INFO IF YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO OWN ONE OF THESE BIKES!

I really want to bring THIS Registry up to date so accurate number's left in circulation can be made available,

this will intern help us get a true market value for insurance purposes.

Please include the chassis number and the month of production printed on the headstock of your bike.

Your name and location. and most importantly a picture's of your bike.

E-mail me at:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Bike of the Month Feb 2009.

Owner: Andrew Ferry (Fer's) KZ1000j from the z1ownersclub in the UK.

Bike was bought as a 1000J rolling chassis in 1995 with the intention of building a replica of Eddie’s race bike.

Frame was braced at rear engine mount and the rear section removed.

Swing arm was made by Harris Performance,

Shocks are Works Performance,

Wheels are Dymag.

Discs and carriers were made up to spec and Lockheed calipers are used.

Tank is US spec J1,

Side panels and tail piece were made up in carbon fiber as were number boards.

Seat, tail and number boards are one unit.

Engine is Gpz1100 taken out to 1260cc, Head is 8 plug with bigger valves and flowed ports,

Cams are Webcam .425.

Crankshaft was welded and balanced with the rotor end modified to take a Triumph generator.

Crankcase oil returns are welded up with end plates made up to take oil seals and support the generator stator.

Generator cover and ignition cover have been cut down.

Ignition is Dyna 2000 running 4 coils.

Boyer power box fitted so no battery is needed.

Exhaust was made by Gibson as replica of race bike and has been nickel plated.

Carbs are 33mm CR’s.

Paint work by Bike Paints to '81 colours.

No lights, no stands and no starter.

38kg lighter than an 1100R.

13 years taken to build it.

I will try to get some pics sent to you.

Fer.

After last months success of Bike of the Month here is another from the highlands of Scotland.

What a bike! such attention to detail,

Fer's bike was the winner in our search for BOM by a whopping 100% margin.

Andrew ferry's bike in Classic motorcycle Mechanics - September 2009

We will be featuring a different bike each month on kz1000r.com
that we feel is deserving of the title "Bike of The Month."

Check back often to see what our pick is.

To nominate or submit your own bike for "Bike of The Month."
Send some info on yourself your bike and loads of pic's bigger the better.

PLEASE SEND IN YOUR INFO IF YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO OWN ONE OF THESE BIKES!

I really want to bring THIS Registry up to date so accurate number's left in circulation can be made available,

this will intern help us get a true market value for insurance purposes.

Please include the chassis number and the month of production printed on the headstock of your bike.

Your name and location. and most importantly a picture's of your bike.

E-mail me at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kano.

Bike of the Month Dec 2010.

Owner: Chuck Margiotta, USA.

Chuck Margiotta's KZ1000R2.

The year was 1991. After calling many Kawasaki dealers and asking if they knew whom they sold their KZ1000R’s to, I was able to locate this bike from the original owner. I made the trip from Philadelphia, PA to Long Island, NY.  100 miles one-way and 2 hours later I owned this bike. The owner started the bike, and said, “Do you want to ride it?” I replied, “NO”, proceeded to hand him the money he was asking, and then loaded it into the back of my Dad’s truck. I was headed for home with a big smile on my face, and did not want to give him the chance to change his mind. I now finally owned an original, 1983 KZ1000R2 after years of searching for the rite one.

I started to clean the bike up, and figure out what I wanted to do to it. At the time I really wanted to make this bike into a S1 Replica, but the unique parts needed were unobtainable at the time. Back then there was no internet, and all parts were sourced and purchased over the phone. I made many phone calls, and eventually began ordering many parts.

My first modifications were Dunlop tires, Works Performance Shocks and braided brake lines to enhance the ride. Next was a steering dampener and fork brace to further improve the handling. After that I decided to order a JMC swing arm from England.

This took 1 year to get and many frustrating phone calls to England. While waiting for the swing arm, I had my close friend Al machine me rear sets and foot pegs. In order to make this bike stop like a super bike,

I ordered Performance Machine 4 piston calipers for the front and a 2-piston caliper for the rear. Al again helped me out by machining the caliper mounts.

The front mounts are pretty straightforward, but the rear mount is a true work of art. One solid piece of aircraft aluminum milled in the center with spacers built into it. The original owner had installed 29mm Mikuni Smoothbore carb's, but they were too small for this 1000cc motor.

I swapped them for a set of 33mm’s, and the correct push pull throttle was installed. Another friend Pete, a professional race motor builder set the carb's up on a DynoJet Dyno and they carbureted beautifully. The bike idles perfectly and the throttle response is awesome.

Finally the swing arm arrived and again Al machined some more stuff for me. He made me a chain guard, a chain adjuster tool, and machined bolts for the shocks and chain guard because of fitment issues.

A new gold RK chain and PBI aluminum rear sprocket were installed at the same time. A sealed Yuasa battery took care of any acid spilling when the front wheel left the ground.

I personally detailed many parts on the bike such as polishing the triple clamps, front forks, front and rear caliper mounts, and the rear sprocket.

Next I had the oil cap, breather top, oil pan, fork brace and a few bolts here and there chromed. After one of the stock pick-ups went bad I installed a DYNA coils and ignition setup. After spending over $10,000 I was very happy with how the bike came together and I deemed it complete in 1993.

I owned 4 other bikes at the time, but I enjoyed every second of the 2000 miles I spent riding my ELR the most. The bike won 1st place at multiple shows, went on many Sunday morning cruises, and together we met a lot of great people over the years before I stopped riding in 1997. The bike was then properly stored in my climate-controlled garage to not see the light of day until recently. It is now 2010 and with the bike still under my possession, the way I originally built it.

I decided to install a brand new Kerker KR exhaust that was professionally heat coated. The original exhaust had a tiny dent on the bottom like most others, which always disturbed me.

Along with the bike I still have the 2 original keys, the owners manual, and most of the original parts that came with the bike when I purchased it 19 years ago.

Sadly I must say that I will not ride this bike again due to health issues. Recently my son said to me, “Hey Dad, lets get your Green bike professionally photographed”.  I replied, “You know that’s not a bad idea.”  So out of storage it came. I thought to myself, “Finally I might be able to get Bike of The Month honors.”  I hope you guys enjoy seeing the bike, and reading my story.

I’ve enjoyed owning this for many years, and after the photo shoot I finally feel like I’ve completed the journey and met the goals I originally set for the bike. You know what they say, “Let the Good Times Roll”. After riding one of these KZ1000R’s, I knew exactly what Kawasaki meant, and I’m sure many of you share the feeling as well.

Chuck.

We will be featuring a different bike each month on kz1000r.com
that we feel is deserving of the title "Bike of The Month."

Check back often to see what our pick is.

To nominate or submit your own bike for "Bike of The Month."
Send some info on yourself your bike and loads of pic's bigger the better.

PLEASE SEND IN YOUR INFO IF YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO OWN ONE OF THESE BIKES!

I really want to bring THIS Registry up to date so accurate number's left in circulation can be made available,

this will intern help us get a true market value for insurance purposes.

Please include the chassis number and the month of production printed on the headstock of your bike.

Your name and location. and most importantly a picture's of your bike.

E-mail me at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.