I see a pattern

Is that an exhaust header on the Suzuki 11? And here I thought you were the calm type. And lordy look at the fairing on the Kaw!! I like all of them but the FZs would probably be my last choice out of the whole bunch. NO offense intended just a personal preference.

Man, you converted that KZ into a serious touring machine. Given the time and what you had to work with thats pretty impressive. Is that a windjammer fairing?
 
Thread starter
Yep, Vance and Hines who were Suzuki drag specialists. Droning from that baby made me swear off aftermarket exhausts forever lol

The Kaw is wearing a Windjammer 2 or 3 fairing with lowers, Kaw factory saddlebags, K&G luggage rack with backrest and a piece of plywood on the rack to help support all the crap. My wife and I were camping our way to Florida and back.

The FZ-1s (Gen 1) are actually wonderful motorcycles, and great solo sport tourers. Liked them so much I bought 2 lol.
 
Those KZ's made pretty good touring bikes. My wife Pam on her '79 KZ650 back in 1979.

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Thread starter
Those KZ 650s were beautiful motorcycles.
 
This is my buddies 1980 KZ1000 MK II. He had the bike custom painted in 1985 or 86.

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I, as well, have always preferred Inline 4 cylinder UJM's. With the exception of my Kaw H-2, every bike I've owned have been Japanese inline fours.

How is Mrs. Ferret doing?
 
Thread starter
Mrs Ferret is doing well thanks. We still don't know if she is going to be able to ride again yet. Need the snow to melt and get warmer before we can find out, but we are hoping.

I-4s are not the only type bike I have had, I think I've had every type they've made. But i seem to keep coming back to them.
thumper_imp said:
If I've figured your pattern correctly, your next bike must be a Kawasaki.

Sorry, but rules are rules!

:P

Well, that new 1000 Ninja sport- tourer looks pretty good lol
 
You are desperate need of some diversity sir. On the other hand you seem to have landed on something you really like and stuck with it. Same with your bikes.....:angel:

Of the lot, besides the CB1100, I've lusted after that GS1100e. Mainly the '82 version.

As much as I like the CB1100's in line four, I prefer the Guzzi V twin. If push came to shove that is. Luckily I don't have to choose and can enjoy both. I can certainly say I prefer torque vs. number of cylinders. And four strokes. :D
 
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Rboe, 82 and 83 Gs1100E's were the same except for color. 81 had a more sculpted tank and a square headlight.

I have not ridden a modern big bore Guzzi only a Breva ( yuk) but I loved my brother's 73 850 Eldorado. Cant find a Guzzi dealer anywhere near me.
 
The 750 motor looks like a Kohler generator motor. :P The new motor (mild massage) is better. The Quota had the older 1100 motor. Nice. But no arm stretcher. The 1200 motor is impressive. But thirsty. Power rolls on pretty darn good, like a big locomotive. Going down the road you feel this motive power pulse of the twin cylinders working away. Different personality than the CB. It has attitude. :) The CB is much more civilized. Maybe some day I'll open up the power in the CB but for now; I have a bike for that. :)

The '81 GS was not very handsome. The 82 & 3 had a very handsome tank, that huge headlight up front and light handling. A well made and nice all around machine. Then they came out with the Katana. Oh man.........
Hey, when you wander through AZ, maybe we'll be able to meet up and you can take the Griso for a spin. :)
 
I traded a Breva 1100 for my CB. The small block Guzzis are woefully under powered but the two valve 1100 in the Breva made respectable power as long as the revs were 4000 rpm or better. Below 4000, lack of decent torque and excessive vibration are a problem and Guzzis are definitely an acquired taste. The motor in the CB1100 is far more flexible and I find the Honda a much more satisfying bike all round.

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Guth_imp said:
Always entertaining traveling through time with you ferret. Neat bikes, great photos!
Yes, I really enjoy looking at the photographs of those great old rides. Wish I had taken more photographs of my motorcycles.
 
Thread starter
Gingersdaddy, yea me too. I had lots of cool motorcycles I cant seem to find photos of. Can't believe i didn't take more/ better pics.

Redbirds..love the big bore motors Moto Guzzi makes, at least I love looking at them. Your red 1100 looks awesome to me. I agree with Rboe though, the 750 looks like an air compressor motor or something.
 
Thread starter
Very cool Mick.... Really swapping paint in that first pic. Hard to make out the rider on the inside. Just beautiful bikes.
 
That 650 engine really was bullet proof, so much abuse but it never gave in. The only which was a problem were the old spoke wheels which kept coming loose or would break. We sold loads of these andZ1000, s at that time, if Kawasaki made a 4cyl retro that would have been a very hard choice.
 
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