Kawasaki Z Series

[Josh|RD125LC]

Hi,

Just been looking at a few of these old school Kawasaki's, and they look pretty beasty if you ask me. On Ebay, just been looking at the Kawasaki Z250 and Z650, and I think they are mean machines. Just would like a bit of info on them really, if any of you can remember what they are. Well my dad talks from experience, he had a Z650 after he wrote his 250LC back some years ago, his cousin used to have a Z1000 and one of my uncles had a Z250 back in late 70's.

Any help appreciated.

P.S: Are they possible to 33bhp because they are quite old bikes (Late 70's, early 80's).
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Honda MBX50 | Yamaha RD125LC | Suzuki RG125F Lucky Strike | Suzuki GSF600S
RD125LC Pictures

[mr.z]

the 250 probably isn't 33bhp even, so would be perfect..

wasn't there a 400?

i'd really like to own a z1000, great bikes, a real classic...

33bhp thing wont be a problem with whatever you get...
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[Josh|RD125LC]

If there was a 400 version, that would be ideal. Yeah the 250 doesn't make 33bhp.

Never realised these bikes would appeal to me that much, not until I saw one boot it past me yesterday. Engine was like a roaring sound. Almost deafening.

The Z1000 looks very meaty, but think they are fetching quite a bit now?
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Honda MBX50 | Yamaha RD125LC | Suzuki RG125F Lucky Strike | Suzuki GSF600S
RD125LC Pictures

[king756]

Theres a zzr400.

What you really want is a new Z750. Failing that aprently there lots of tuning options available on the older models, I think theres a 750 big bore kit for the z650.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Think the Z250 was OK, but when stretched to the GPZ305 they became unreliable.

Z650 is now getting on and appreciating.

There was a 400 version of the Z550 I think

All the best

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

[Tarmacsurfer]

The Z250 was a nice little bike, forgiving handling and the motor was pretty bombproof. Been two up on one from Reading to Birmingham, then down to Hasting before now and neither of us are small blokes.

The Z650 is a smart little thing, good basis for a custom although a little prone to rust. Fast becoming a classic though, so price is rising.

The Eddie Lawson Z1000 is iconic.

I've owned and ridden most four stroke kwaks from the mid eighties onwards, love the marque. Can't give you exact power figures, but I'd suspect the older Z250s to be around the 30-33 mark, so may well be suitable for riding on the restricted license.
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I'm immortal. Well, so far.

[Mr C]

I had a Z250

it was fucking awful



don't get misty eyed with nostalgia

it was an evil handling, didn't go, noisy, oil drinking, didn't stop BASTARD of a bike

not a patch on anything fom the mid 80s on really

my2p
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187.3bhp = 201mph

[Mr C]

there ya go

absolutely DREADFUL
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187.3bhp = 201mph

[mr.z]

[tatters]

there a mint Z650 fitted with a turbo charger in my local bike shop , lovey looking bike. some nice Z1000,s pop up on ebay sometimes was think of get on before l got the ZZR600.
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[stinkwheel]

Ok, Used Motorcycle Guide has something to say on these bikes, but before that.

I had always been told the Z250 was a bit of a bitch (a bit before my time but several mates had them). They ran nicely when they were going then the engine would bomb big style and break your heart. They also come fitted with a hinge in the middle of the frame.

I always heard the Z400s were pigs vide infra but I know a couple of folks who swear by the Z440ltd if you can find one and stand the nasty american pseudo-chopper styling.

Z650 are ok but they are getting old now. Several mates had them and they ran for miles on minimal maintainance (and often on three cylinders). They seem VERY lardy by todays standards and the handling is err, entertaining. A bigger zed sits bolt upright until you try to go round a corner at which point it flops right over then you have to muscle it back up again. Quite fun when you get used to it though and never takes you by surprise. They have a good turn of speed for all that and will keep up with most things. Popular engines for chops.

I was once shown a letter from Kawasaki UK written in the early 80's basically saying "re. your letter regarding the oil consumption on your Z650, we would not consider a half pint every 500 miles to be excessive.".

Beware hashed electronic ignition conversions. Boyer boxes are a popular fitment but will not work properly unless the electrics and bettery are in top notch condition.

As early 80's inline fours go, they are not bad. Not as scary as a CB750 and not as lardy as a GS850.

UMG says:

Z250
Straightforward twin that mutated into the GPz305. Engine suffers top-end hassles from 20k if oil changes and maintainance neglected, with even the big ends going. The odd one reinvigorated with a newish 305cc engine but most dross now. Later models had a belt drive (lasts to 20k) and unitrak rear end (needs yearly grease)

Z400/440
They shoot horses don't they? It would be fair to put most Z4s out of their misery too these days.Early KZs suffered gearbox, piston, balancer and camchain faults. Z400s reliable for the first 30k miles thensuffer similar problems. Z400B gutless below 5k, above vibrates badly. Z440 best of the bunch with few problems.

Z650
A tough old trooper, a good intro to jap. classics. Borrows some style from Z1, but wont terrify with well matched handling and power delivery. Dubious main bearings if oil changes neglected but can run to 100k. Early Zs had quick wear swing arm bearings, later models had needle rollers. Use Metz or Pirelli tyres and dunlopads. SR custom version has better finish.
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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.

[ZRX61]

[bish777]

I used to have a Z550GT or GT550 to the rest of you.

Nice, sounds good and given a nice clean up they dont look half bad either. They go reasonably well too, smooth engine with a good spread of soft power with a little kick at the top. Shaft drive is a nice touch and very economical too.

For looks if you dont use it you can get ride of the parcel rack.

I quite fancy getting hold of a Z1100 at some point as i think they look deadly!
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GSXR1100J

[stinkwheel]

Oh yeah. My mate bought a mint looking GPz305 (which is a follow on from the Z250) full dealer service history, one previous owner. Ran like a little sewing machine.

Big-end shells collapsed at 16,000 miles and TOTALLY fucked the engine. When you turn the crank with a spanner and only one of the pistons moves, you know you are in trouble
____________________
“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.

[bish777]

It seems Kawasaki only got their fours to work lol
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GSXR1100J

[mchaggis]

I've heard numerous horror stories about the GPX and GPZ 600 fours. The GPZ500 twin seems to have worked successfully apart from the disintegrating rotor.
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I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[king756]

imho this is the Z to have, she'd make a nice bonus to
https://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~ajevans/ZPics/album_pic7.jpg

[yzf750r]

a friend of mine has a wakaisaki z1000, 1979! Street fightered! Total on off, home made exhaust system... everything! Been in streetfighters mag, people may have seen it at Yorkshire Rallies, Newark, Elvington???
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04 zx10r with mods - 187.4bhp at the wheel! :o

[Tarmacsurfer]

Meh, I don't do nostalgia. Just going on my own experiences.
The hinge in frame is synonymous with bikes of the era, the GPz was the same. Spaghetti forks lead to some "interesting" handling charecteristics, not to mention the fact that unless you buy something rebuilt the original bearings etc will most likely be mullerd by now, going on his previous posts though Josh doesn't seem to be averse to getting his hands dirty () so maintenance and some straightening out shouldn't be too much of a trial.
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I'm immortal. Well, so far.

[iCraig]

[mchaggis]

I might be confusing engine bombing problems with just engine wearing out on old bike problems, where the whole bike is getting over the hill and everything is failing at once I suppose.
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I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[Sadie]

Personally, I've owned:

Z200
Z250
Z400 (4 cylinder, very rare in this country, the 2 cylinder was the common one)
Z550
Z900

and I loved every single one of 'em!



PS: I'm a bit of a Zed fan!
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With experience comes age.

[TheShaggyDA]

Rather than trying for an older Zed, I'd go for one of the Zephyrs.
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[stinkwheel]

Although if you are going to go for a zed, do a proper job. They only built that engine to get one over on Hondas CBX "Well, if you can make an inline six, we will make one too...only 30% bigger and water cooled "

https://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~onepoint/z1300%202.jpg
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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.

[New York Doll]

I always liked classic bikes. I have noticed that recently a lot of classic Japanese bikes are becoming 'acceptable' with the classic purists.

I have always loved the looks of the Z650, one of the few classic Jap bikes that really excite me (more excited by British bikes, usually).

Have a look at:

Z650 History
Z400/Z750 History

Might be of some interest.
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"You know even if I live to be a 100 years old which is highly unlikely I must say, but if anyone mentions 1977 then a crooked smile will come to my lips, I know it will. It was the year that changed my life" - John Peel (1977)