The CB1100 Community Forum

nice. Both my wife and my son also ride, but it is a newish hobby for us. These pics are great-- make me wonder why I waited 30 years to get started.

(08-07-2013, 07:11 PM)OldF7Guy_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Cool stuff. Ferret, you need to get a rolling pic of you and your wife on the CB similar to the one on the Kz. A man had to feel like he was the king of the hill running a Kz1000 back then. I actually liked the big Kaws more than the HOndas for what ever reason although I like them both. I am curious if the Kz was a good bike for you?

I vividly remember going into the Kawasaki dealer as a little kid in 1973 or 4 and seeing my first Z1 in person. I thought holy cow what a monster!

This was my exact same thought as well.

Thanks for sharing ferret!

(08-07-2013, 06:55 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I hope Meowguy doesn't mind me piggy backing off his excellent post. Seems to me young couples that ride together develop a special bond that can last a life time, and add a special enjoyment to their marriage.

The Ferret and Mrs Ferret on their then new 1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000. We actually started riding together in 1972, and got married in 1974. Next May we celebrate our 40 th anniversary.

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/BikePic6.jpg.html]

Same couple some 35 years later on a 2006 Honda ST 1300


[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/KB-1002a-1.jpg.html]

And our son and his new wife on their wedding day 4 years ago. She bought him the Ducati Monster as a wedding present.

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/2009_06270067-1.jpg.html]

I was born in 1977 ....LOL

Love the post. I had to LOL about the Harley and the several wives and girl friends. Those darned Harley's any ways.

Great post Mickey! Just cool to no end! Thanks for sharing!!!
Glad to see you both have improved your riding gear in 40 years, especially Mrs. Ferret! Sandals, oh my!
Of course I'm sure my gear wasn't much better back then. (That era was kinda foggy!). Of course there wasn't much true riding gear available back in those days either.
Again, Awesome Post!
Jim

(08-07-2013, 09:23 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]OldF7guy..the Kawasaki was an excellent machine and maybe my favorite bike of all time. Loved it.
What is amazing is how close the specs are on the KZ1000 and the CB1100

Motor. 1015 vs 1044

Hp. 83. vs. 88.5

Trq. 59. vs. 68.6

Wt. 563 w/ 1/2 tank gas. Vs 546 wet

Gas 4.4 gal. vs 3.9 gal

Trans. 5 sp. vs 5 Sp

Chain. 530. vs. 530

Brakes. Dual disc. vs triple discs

Cost. $ 2299. vs $ 9999

Amazingly the CB is actually slightly better is every category measurable category, weight, trq, hp, brakes, it undoubtedly handles better....I think the seat was better on the Kaw, but then again I had a 27 year old bum then and a 63 year old bum now. I like the looks of the big KZ better, especially the pipes. It will take a couple years before I decide just how good of a motorcycle the CB is in my eyes, but on paper it certainly has the potential to move right to the top looking at the numbers.

That is amazing how close the specs are for bikes 35 years apart. Thanks for posting. I like the style then and still like it now. UJM motorcycles have never gone out of style to me. I do wish Kawasaki or someone would attempt to give the CB11 some competition. It would only make the breed better in the long run.

(08-08-2013, 01:44 AM)Inline4_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Great post Mickey! Just cool to no end! Thanks for sharing!!!
Glad to see you both have improved your riding gear in 40 years, especially Mrs. Ferret! Sandals, oh my!
Of course I'm sure my gear wasn't much better back then. (That era was kinda foggy!). Of course there wasn't much true riding gear available back in those days either.
Again, Awesome Post!
Jim

Brooks leathers jackets and Bell Star Helmets were the hot set up in 1977. lol

But that was High Tech compared to the Arai half helmets my parents wore.

Before that we wore green army coats and Bell 500 XT helmets open face helmets

Nobody made motorcycle specific boots then that I recall, and only a couple mfgs made motorcycle specific gloves.

(08-07-2013, 09:23 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]OldF7guy..the Kawasaki was an excellent machine and maybe my favorite bike of all time. Loved it.
What is amazing is how close the specs are on the KZ1000 and the CB1100

Motor. 1015 vs 1044

Hp. 83. vs. 88.5

Trq. 59. vs. 68.6

Wt. 563 w/ 1/2 tank gas. Vs 546 wet

Gas 4.4 gal. vs 3.9 gal

Trans. 5 sp. vs 5 Sp

Chain. 530. vs. 530

Brakes. Dual disc. vs triple discs

Cost. $ 2299. vs $ 9999

Amazingly the CB is actually slightly better is every category measurable category, weight, trq, hp, brakes, it undoubtedly handles better....I think the seat was better on the Kaw, but then again I had a 27 year old bum then and a 63 year old bum now. I like the looks of the big KZ better, especially the pipes. It will take a couple years before I decide just how good of a motorcycle the CB is in my eyes, but on paper it certainly has the potential to move right to the top looking at the numbers.

Thing that the specs can't capture is that the big KZ 900 and 1000 was the undisputed King and everyone knew it. Even the hardcore Harley guys had to grudgingly admit that 'yeah, they're fast, but....'

Now there is no King, there is no royalty, just different nations with their diverse national traits each good at it's own particular niche...

To own the bike that was the King, when it was the King.. that must've been great (I was too poor at the time, couldn't even afford the demoted prince: CB750...)

Funny story on how I came to buy the KZ if you care to read it. Since I was a kid I wanted a BMW. My dad rode Indians, then Harleys but I always loved the looks of the opposed twin Beemer. Anyhow at the time I was managing a Kawasaki shop. I had saved up $ 2000 to put down on a BMW R 90S in orange and silver.I was going to put down $ 2000 and finance $ 2000. My wife and I went to the local Beemer shop and took a test ride. I didn't go 2 miles and knew I didn't want the Beemer. In fact, I hated it. The suspension was soft and due to the drive shaft wanted to raise every time you gave it gas and drop every time you let off. It was like riding a horse on a merry go round. I left crushed. Really crushed. I had wanted one so bad for so many years.

Anyhow a few days later our shop got in our first KZ 1000. I had it set up and took it for a test ride. What a motorcycle. it was awesome! I called the store owner ( 4 stores Honda and Kawasaki) and asked what my price on the bike would be. He said he'd call me back. A few minutes later he called and said $ 1887.00 incl tax. Done deal baby. I paid cash for the bike, and had gas money left over.
Probably the best motorcycle I ever owned. Sold it a couple years later to get cash for a down payment on a house.

Funny thing, I still love the way Beemers look. I think the 76-77 R90/ R100s were the most beautiful motorcycles ever made. 3 times since then I have tried to buy R 75 and R 90 Beemers, and each time a test ride has convinced me not to buy one. Too bad, I really love the way they look.

(08-07-2013, 06:55 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I hope Meowguy doesn't mind me piggy backing off his excellent post. Seems to me young couples that ride together develop a special bond that can last a life time, and add a special enjoyment to their marriage.

The Ferret and Mrs Ferret on their then new 1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000. We actually started riding together in 1972, and got married in 1974. Next May we celebrate our 40 th anniversary.

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/BikePic6.jpg.html]

Same couple some 35 years later on a 2006 Honda ST 1300


[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/KB-1002a-1.jpg.html]

And our son and his new wife on their wedding day 4 years ago. She bought him the Ducati Monster as a wedding present.

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/2009_06270067-1.jpg.html]

I'm sorry, I can't help myself but everytime I look at that picture I want to shout "I FOUND WALDO!" (yes, I know I need professional help)