talk to me about GPZs

[pompousporcup...]

I'm on the lookout for a project bike and the older GPZs look like a good candidate. No matter what i look at i always seem to come back to the older GPZ styling.

Ideally i'd like to find a 900 variant to play with. Are there any major differences between the 750 and 900? Is there a particular year that is "better"? More reliable?

I'm doing a bit of research on the matter and would appreciate previous and current owners opinions

[ws4936]

Inb4 you just want to be Maverick.
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If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.

[chickenstrip]

Quite fancy one myself.

The owners club is probably the best place to go:

https://www.gpzzone.co.uk/gpzforum/activity.php

Not quite sure, but seems you need to register to get any information, and it's a subscription site.

A few things I've managed to glean:

These bikes run hot, so you need to ensure the rad and oil cooler are in good condition and kept free of dirt/debris. It is recommended to fit the pressure cap from late models if you buy an earlier bike.

Fuel taps can let you down due to the spring which sticks in the shut-off system of the tap, which can lead to flooding problems.

Anti-dive systems on earlier models are likely to need refurbishing.

Fuel tank is prone to rot on the underside seams.

Camchain tensioners on earlier models should be changed to one from a later model, which are apparently more robust.

Early model's starter clutches are apparently a weak point - later bikes had a stronger one borrowed from the ZZR1100.

Plus usual things with bikes of that age, wiring loom rot etc.

I also seem to remember that early models had problems with something like oil delivery to the cams (not sure exactly on this). May have been a recall or replacement parts to fix, but best to look it up.

Then of course, when you have a nicely sorted example, do this:

https://www.ac-sanctuary.co.jp/rcm-list/gallery/ninja_formula_package/rcm243/



EDIT: I should add that most of the above, I'm thinking of the 900.
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[wr6133]

lol @ you can still buy a brand new one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-KAWASAKI-GPZ900R-A8-BRAND-NEW-UNREGISTERED-/291437430292?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43db064614

Looking at the prices of the 900's on eBay, you could get a tidy zzr1100 for similar/less, I'd argue more iconic (was the fastest production bike for a while) and probably more practical to rack up miles on. Tidy GPZ's are skirting classic GSXR money too, if the project is too punt on you may see a better profit sorting out a rough old GSXR.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[chickenstrip]

Whilst I wouldn't argue against a ZZR, I do think the 900 makes a better classic, being a true class leader of huge popularity in it's time, the ZZR being more of a development from this. But yeah, with the added pain of classics prices (I always cringe when I see a bike magazine say "prices are starting to rise" - thus helping to promote a rise in prices ).

[Kickstart]

Hi

From vague memory, early on they were known for the not long lived cam chains (~20k), and the carb diaphragms failing (but a lot cheaper to fix these days).

Still like them

All the best

K
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[chickenstrip]

[Vincent]

The 900 was a great bike, and I've seen some great tarted up, naked examples.
I still loved the 550 though...so much fun
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Space Is Deep

[Tiff]

Always wanted a 900, loved my ZZR1100, so went for a Gpz1100s. Best of both worlds!
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1996 Kawasaki GPZ1100s,1996 VFR750,1980 BMW R80,1982 Kwak Z250B,1992 ZZR1100C,1996 BMW K1100LT,1994 Kwak ZZR600E,1993 BMW R1100RS,1992 ZZR 600D,1988 BMW K100LT,1998 Aprilia Pegaso 650,1994 Suzuki RF900,1991 Yamaha XJ600, 1988 Honda Dominator,1992 Kwak KMX125,1987 Yamaha RD50MX,1984 Honda MBX50.1984 Honda Superdream 125

[pompousporcup...]

i think i'l sign up to that forum already bought a fair few parts for the 500 from that site too.

No, i no wanna be Maverick

I really don't know what it is about the gpz900. Yes there are faster, newer, less rust and better handling bikes, probably a bit cheaper too compared to the good 900s out there.. I'm much more a fan of older stuff.

I looked at ebay. The prices depressed me. I'd soon have something newer if i was intending to pay those prices

Condition (as long as its not rotten through the frame) would not bother me too much, same with the 500 i got. It'd be a complete tear down powder coat and build back up slowly sort of project.

Is the 750 the same frame etc then

[pompousporcup...]

https://plus.google.com/photos/101082109814412879224/albums/5831710896584465009

that rear end though

[karoshi]

The 750r is the same bike as a 900r except for engine size, they're great bikes provided you don't expect it to ride like a new supersport.. As standard the suspension isn't brilliant, the anti-five forks can be a nightmare and the brakes (2pots on early bikes, 4pot tokicos after 1986) are poor at best but if you're into tinkering it's easy to improve.

Here's mine:
https://i.imgur.com/VN51fXx.jpg

Mods I've made:
Zzr1100d front end (forks, wheel and bars)
Zx9r front mud guard
Gsxr1000 front calipers
Zzr1400 brake & clutch master cylinders
Zx9r switchgear
Venhill quick throttle
Dynojet s3 carb upgrade
Pod filters
4-1 exhaust
Zx636 stick coils
Zzr1100 cam chain tensioner
+4 degree ignition advancer plate
Hd clutch springs
Zzr1100c rear end (wheel, swingarm, brake, shock & linkage)
Corbin seat
tail tidy
Led rear brake light
Stebel nautilus air horn
& an agm gel battery

(Edited because I forgot a few things..)
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Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it. - Elwood P. Dowd

[pompousporcup...]

ive never ridden a new super sport so have no reference for comparison my experience goes as far as a cbf600f, a newish cb500f twin and my current and a bit rattly gpz500 a6.

That looks lurvly. What did the z1100 front and rear end set you back (pm me if needs be)?

Is there a remarkable different in output between the 750 and 900? I have a habit of not keeping things oem.

[karoshi]

I guess the point I'm trying to highlight is that compared to a modern bike the gpz is heavy, it has a long wheel base to it, the frame isn't all that rigid, and the stock brakes and suspension aren't exactly special either.. don't get me wrong, they're still great to ride you just have to know the limitations as Callahan would say

I haven't really kept a record of how much I've spent tweaking mine but it's all been sourced through eBay..I picked up the 1100d front end for about £150, but then spent another £100 on Hagon progressive springs, £150 for the gsxr calipers and so on.. the.1100c swingarm was only £30 but it cost another £75 to have it cut to fit the gpz with custom spacers.

Haven't ridden a 750r myself but they're not far off the 900 in power, there's a debate about whether the 750 turbo is faster than the 900 also
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Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it. - Elwood P. Dowd

[karoshi]

I ought to say, chickenstrip posted a link to the owners club, if you get one it's well worth the yearly fee to join, there's a big forum section on upgrades and mods with specific threads on individual upgrades.

It can be a bit quiet on there but theres a lot of friendly & knowledgeable people, also the guy who runs the forum runs the gpzzone web parts shop as well, good source for some parts if you can't get them through wemoto or Kawasaki.
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Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it. - Elwood P. Dowd

[chickenstrip]

[Vincent]

https://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j71/Drewskovitch/Jap%2070s%20bike%20toys/Bike%20toys/Cafe%20900R_zpsvhnxvqaj.jpg
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Space Is Deep

[stinkwheel]

GPZ900R. First motorcycle to crack 150mph straight out of the box.

What isn't to like?
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[pompousporcup...]

Such a sexy bike. Not much left oem on that though and I can see just how quickly costs would spiral out of control.

If I can find one without the silly price tag I'm game. On that note, what does a ropy example usually go for? Ideally a3/a4, so 87-89

[chickenstrip]

just grabbing the first copy of Practical Sportsbikes that comes to hand (Dec 2014 issue), there were two for sale in there. An '85, with 22k miles, "standard condition", £2500. Then, a '90 example, 23.5k miles, "goes well in excellent condition", £1875. There are nearly always one or two for sale in that magazine, although I'm not sure that's the cheapest place to buy them. The early ones do tend to be a bit pricier, taking into account condition, but I'm not sure the year would be my main influencing factor - condition perhaps more important.

But that's where my knowledge runs out - I don't know whether those in the know say certain years are better or not. Certainly there were upgrades (I think they ran A2 model to A12, so were around for a very long time), some teething troubles were fixed, but did they lose some character later, as some models do with development? I can't see that being a big thing with the GPZ.

I like that one (OP's and Vincent's posts) better than the one I linked I think - keeps all the standard bodywork, retaining more of the original look
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[Vincent]

A good condition one will hold its value well and there are probably a few fitted with aftermarket parts but with the original parts in the garage. £3K should get a near-mint one but I bet there some bargains around. There'll be a few old geezers flogging them off, that have probably spent most of the last 10 years in a dry garage so low mileage.

Check motorcycle mechanics mag
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Space Is Deep

[Vincent]

[chickenstrip]

Some interesting/useful reading:

https://www.z-power.co.uk/merchantmanager/view_information.php?pId=18
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!