Once upon a time ....

[cabnfvr]

I came across this old photo today. Circa 1982. This is the day a Park Ranger told me everything there is to know about "you people".

[955i]

"Well, sir. A little snow and ice has never stopped me yet. In fact, the "Magic 8-Ball" I consulted at midnight last week predicted I would see much snow as I ride through life on my motorcycle. The 8-Ball said that it even saw dimly some snow in Bisbee, Arizona, in April of 2025."

[802Mike]

I was in Tombstone three weeks ago, we camped in Bisbee, AZ. Wish I'd had more time.

[cabnfvr]

Tyson, your "Magic 8-Ball" is head and shoulders above the rest.

[Lee]

Speaking of Head & Shoulders

[802Mike]

Ah, that was the year I sold my Honda 750K.
Didn't ride again for eighteen years.
Thanks for sharing Tim.

[955i]

Tim, was the picture above at a time when you may have owned a KZ of some sort. I can't tell from the photo. (Tintypes don't have true colors, you know.)

[cabnfvr]

Tyson, it's a 1982 Kawasaki KZ1100A-3, shaft drive. I installed lower bars, mini fairing, and Krauzer luggage. I bought the bike still in the crate because I liked the color scheme. I picked it up on a Friday and scheduled the 600 mile service for the following weekend. They said I wouldn't have 600 miles in a week. I told them I'd have 600 miles by Monday.

1982 KZ1100A-3


Cullasaja Gorge, NC. Break-in ride. About 150 ish miles from home, day 2 of ownership. Can't see it on the pick but temps are in the low 30's, I'm wearing a cotton military field jacket, it's getting near dusk, and it's starting to sleet. Good times.

[955i]

Those bikes must have been pretty good. Bones of a standard (fast) KZ, but with the addition of shaft drive. The aftermarket windshield looks useful, too. I assume there was some basic factory tuning to give it a bit more torque lower in the rev range. Perfect for young hoodlums on a sleety cold day.