Although I haven’t posted for a while, things have been going on…

Firstly I had a late summer visit to Lonesome, and had the grand tour of his new mansion. A palatial van conveniently situated with easy access to major routes (in a layby of a carriageway off the M1.). All amenities are available, including hot and cold running water (hot in summer, and cold in winter). But all seriousness aside, it’s an amazing place he has setup inside an old 7.5 ton box lorry.

The ride and conversation were as last time the perfect tonic to the weeks stresses and strains. The bike ran fine, and Lonesome gave me the usual warm welcome and we talked crap for a while and I headed home.

Then on 20th September the Z750 twin was again entered for the Wolverton Show, and placed among the classic bikes from all areas of the world. There were plenty of British machines, and a fair few Japanese classics too.

My dad once again made the trip up on his BSA pictured here next to the Z750, with my daughter perched on the seat.

There were also a lot of Scooters there too

One of the kind scooter owners allowed Phoebe to sit on his bike.

Anyway, it was a nice day with plenty to see and do, here’s a selection of highlights

Unfortunately the Summer and the tax are both running out, so the Z750 will take a few months break again. Hopefully next year will be good to us with sunny weekends, and I can get out on the bike more often. I also hope to be doing some updates over the winter months as I clean and tidy some areas of the bike.

Stay safe.

It’s been a while since I posted, because the Z750 has been nowhere for a while. Today though my wife needed some shopping so I offered to take her on the Kawasaki, and to my surprise not only did she accept but also decided we should go a little further than the local Tesco to give the Twin a run.

So it was that we went to Asda near Bletchley. As the Kawasaki’s twin cylinders hadn’t breathed fire for a while I thought it may need some coaxing back to the land of the living. I switched on the ignition, and hit the starter button expecting nothing. The lazy starter turned slowly once, and on the second lot of compression the Z750 fired up.

Knowing there was not much fuel I hit the kill switch, and pulled the heavy lump up the hill out of the drive backwards, and onto the road. We both suited up and got back on the bike, which again started on the button with one push. We were off, bound for the supermarket. A nice leisurely ride saw us there in just a few minutes, and parked. While the missus went off for the provisions I checked just how low the petrol was. Lets just say we’d made it to our destination, which luckily had a fuel station on site as we wouldn’t have gone much further.

The wife returned with her booty, and we forced the rucksack to take more than it should (I’m sure she must have forgotten we weren’t in the car). Back on ole Betsy which started again on the button, and round the corner to the filling station. Packed with cars, but on the bike we could jump ahead while the back ones were waiting for the pumps to clear.

Its thirst quenched we headed for home on the Kawasaki. At one stage we were even overtaking cars, and no complaints from the wife either. Then it was home again, and put away for later. Hope we get some more good weather soon.

It’s a beautiful day as I look out the window so I pull the covers off the fire breathing dragon (NO not my wife before any of the wits out there gets the wrong idea). Searched out all my riding gear and then pushed the Z750 out of the drive. It takes a few more kicks than usual to get her started (again not the wife the bike) but soon she roars into life. Excellent.

I pull off and soon find myself on the A5 single carriageway towards oop north and decide I’ll go visit Lonesome Steve at Northampton. A nice gentle ride along the A5 on the Kawasaki and all is good with the world, blue skies, cool breeze and the sound of the Kawasaki Twin in your ears, can’t be beat on a day like this. As I pass out of Towcester past the truck stop I see a big crowd of bikes in the car park, may have to check that out on the way back.

All too soon I arrive at a truck stop just off the M1 where Lonesome has his home in the layby. A simple affair of a van with just enough conveniences to keep a man going. So he is still here I think as I dismount. And the man himself steps out to greet me having heard the sound of the Kawasaki arriving. Seems I have stopped him from getting about the business of having a lazy day, so apologies to Steve.

After a pleasant hour or so putting the world and everyone we know to rights I decide to leave the gent to his peaceful day and head off back home. I take a little back road just across the M1 and through a village to cut off a corner and soon find myself back on the A5 enjoying the ride at my own pace in the sun. I pass the transport cafe and look across, still a few bikes there but can’t be arsed to go across so I continue home.

Again all too quickly the journey is over, and I’m outside my house dismounting the Z750. Another joyful and uneventful plod of a ride over, I put the beast back in its resting place. Life is good when the stress is taken away with a no deadlines, no rush day of gentle riding on an old Japanese classic from kawasaki. Brilliant.

I finally found the time and the impetus to get the Z750 out from under its cover and take it out. First stop was the petrol station to fill up, and then out onto the open road for the first real test since its failure coming home from Silverstone Superbikes ( http://z750twinproject.info/ride-outs/kawasaki-z750-twin-goes-to-the-british-superbikes-at-silverstone/ ) so it was with a little apprehension I turned on the A5 dual carriageway after coming out of the garage.

Slowly accelerating up to the speed limit of 70mph, I was listening for the first sign of problems. After about a mile of the speed limit riding I relaxed and tarted to enjoy the ride. A few miles of dual carriageway, then off and back along the V4 Milton Keynes North route. Across the roundabouts and enjoying the wind in my last remaining hairs through my crash helmets vents.

Then near home I again took a detour along the A5 and North to Old Stratford before heading home, all with no sign of problems. Grreaat. I got home, and my daughters boyfriend watched as I pulled in. So I asked if he wanted a quick pillion ride. No need to ask twice so we set off again, a quick ride around the block as my daughter was giving him the evils as we left cos she was waiting to get out and hit the shops.

Felt great to be back on the Kawazaki Z 750 twin again, and now it feels like it’s problems are once again behind it I’m looking forward to another nice weekend for a rideout.

Well as you can guess from the title I finally managed to get the Kawasaki down for an MOT. A few false starts as there were no slots available at the mot station, or I was too busy to get there, but finally it all came together. The bike ran ok to get there, the MOT tester was happy that the bike was roadworthy and we got the required certificate.

I got home, waited a few hours and then applied for tax online. Everything was showing as accepted, MOT, Insurance etc. so the tax went through without a hitch. So now we’re ready to go once more.

This was going to be the weekend I took the Z750 in for it’s MOT and got ready to ride again. The Kawasaki had other plans though. Running through the lights to make sure they all worked, and my previous temporary repair to the high beam/low beam switch gave up. The screw replacing the original thumb push just broke out of the internal switchgear. So no high beam.

Luckily when Big Al got his Z750 he replaced both handlebar switch controls, so there was a spare in the garage. The problem was the wires had been cut (not by Al I hasten to add) so the loom would need connecting in some way. I decided that soldering was the best course of action.

I removed the left hand control switches and cut back the wiring to a point I could access easily, and that had a previous taped repair anyway. I then mounted the “new “ set of control switches, and put the cable through to cut to match the existing bit. So far so good.

Out came the trusty soldering iron, and solder. The first wire was matched to its new partner, and both were tinned and then held together and the iron applied to melt the solder together. Success. Cover the exposed wires and on to the next. The second one also went well. It’s after that things become difficult.

The 2 previously soldered wires now have a tendency to push the others away from each other so twisting and bending becomes the only choice. 3rd and 4th wires done, the 5th wire becomes difficult to position, solder and hold all with just two hands. If you ever want to learn new swear words and new and innovative sentences containing swear words, just turn up when someone is in this predicament. The burnt fingertips and many badly soldered joints which have to be redone are not good for the nerves.

By wire number 7 the whole world seems to have turned against you, and everything nearby is in danger of a kick or getting thrown if it gets in the way. Add some wind cooling the solder rapidly and things get real ugly.

Anyway in the end all 8 wires are soldered, 4 fingertips are burnt and none of the neighbours will let their kids anywhere near in case they pick up some bad words. But joy of joys it all works and now all is right with the world once more. Peace is restored to the Sabbath.

So next time it’s the MOT test. Be afraid…..

I finally decided it was time to get to work on the Z750 twin and maybe get the mot done. I removed the cover and looked at the bike and decided I should replace the torn seat cover as I have had one sitting around which was made by another Z750 twin owner (Thanks Phil).

So I removed the 3 securing bolts and took off the seat. Removed the dangling trim, and prised up the clips holding the cover in place. Luckily the base is in good condition, a rarity on Japanese bikes of this vintage, but this was so I was happy. I covered the stickers underneath the seat and then painted the base to tidy it up.

After waiting for the paint to dry which should take 24 hours according to the tin but in this case was less than 10 minutes, I started to fit the new cover. Impatient? Me? So I pulled it tight across the foam, and started pulling it over the sharp pointy clips at the front. With the help of my wife I worked along one side, then the other pulling it very tight and pushing th4e foam down to ensure a nice smooth crease free finish.

Eventually it was all pulled on, and as we’d gone round we’d also put on a piece of black trim my dad had picked up from an autojumble which helped keep the cover in place and finish off the edge nicely. A little trim and the seat was ready to refit complete with fingerprints in the soft paint on the underside.

Then I made the decision to start the Kawasaki Twin and a couple of kicks saw it breathe fire once again. But only briefly before it coughed on one cylinder, and then the remaining one gave up trying to drag its dead brother. The last excursion fault had reared its head again, but I had an idea it was one of the carbs and they’d need removing and stripping. Impatience and laziness fought that one out, and laziness won. So I put the cover back on.

One week later and I had worked up enthusiasm to remove the carburettors, which involved removing the side panels, petrol tank and 4 hose clamps. Wriggled out the carbs and removed the cables so I could work on them.

Starting with a diaphragm check, I removed the tops of the carbs and held up the diaphragms to the light and tugged lightly. Both were fine. I stripped the carb bowls off, and checked the floats, and needles and blew in the pipes while holding the floats up to check they were shutting off, and opening with the float movement. All ok. A quick clean through the venturi (holes to you and me) with some cleaner spray, and clean up the inaccessible parts with some more spray and it was time to refit them.

After the carbs were back on, I put the tank and covers back and got ready to start the bike again. That’s where the cats come into it. On the new seat cover I noticed some small pin pricks, and claw marks where the cats have been using the bike as a resting place and clawing the the seat to pull themselves up on their preferred spot. GRRRRRR. Anybody need a tennis racquet restrung, I know where to get some catgut. Also I feel so much less sympathy for Tom when Jerry hits him with a frying pan or other blunt object on Cartoon Network now.

Luckily the Z750 twin started on the second kick, and ran perfectly for ten minutes or so at various throttle settings. Hopefully it can now be ridden for its mot in the near future ready to be taxed and ridden again in 2009. Watch this space…

The Z750 has been rested up for the winter. Last year I paid the money to tax it all year round, but found that the winter was cold, and colder on a bike than in the car, who’d have thought it?

So this year I saved the money and took the bike off the road to carry out a few repairs etc on it while it was stood up. So far since October till now in mid February I have erm  well left the old Kawasaki covered up nice and warm and not looked under the cover since. But I did think about removing the seat to fit a new cover. I also considered cleaning and repainting some parts. But none of it happened.

So there you have it then, 4 months of absolutely nothing happening summed up into 3 paragraphs. Probably could have stretched it a bit and said how I’d also given some consideration to removing the carburettors for a good check over and clean out, but that would have been pushing it as the thought didn’t cross my mind until just a moment ago when I was trying to come up with something to write.

Soon though it will go for this years MOT and be taxed and ridden again, and I’m considering buying slim and fit Al’s Z750 off him if I can raise the funds. So look in again soon to see what’s happening.

Another weekend and another event planned, this time it was a trip to Silverstone to see the British Superbikes race and see if Shane “shaky” Byrne could win the 2008 title in the first race of the day.

But first, I had to wait for Dazza to arrive on the ZZR1100 which he did, at the agreed time, very cold and with a very cold girlfriend riding pillion. So they warmed up for a while at chez nous, I had already got the Z750 out of the garage, and waiting to go so as soon as they were ready we set off.

From my house it’s not a long ride to Silverstone circuit, a quick trip up the A5 to Towcester, left to the A43 and a Z750 speed blast along the dual carriageway saw us there in around 20 minutes or so. We placed our crash helmets in the charity coach for £2 to save us carrying them, and after a quick wander found a seat in the Luffield stands to watch some bike racing.

After watching the Triumph Triples race, we moved to a better vantage point to watch the 1000cc class racing, and found a great spot to view a few bends and the final chicane, and the pit straight. Marvellous. We were well attended as Dazza’s ‘ho’ went back and forth for provisions. Only don’t tell her I called her his ho, as she is a bit sensitive about that.

Anyway after a few races, and a classic racers display to celebrate the 60th year of Silverstone, the Superbikes were on. This being my first time I had to have some video, and pics of the events, and had already taken a few of the other racers. So when the Superbikes did their parade lap, I had the camera on video and recorded this clip.

Then I started the video recording as they cam around the first lap, only for the batteries to go flat just as the bikes arrived in view. DOH!

I do have some pics and videos to put up of all the other stuff later, but unfortunately no superbikes ones. But I was engrossed in watching the action anyway, those guys are awesome to watch as the wheels slide away on a bend yet they carry on feeding in power and clicking up the gears, they have some serious balls. Some of the overtaking at the chicane was spectacular too, watching the subtle change of line to get an exit on the inside of the other guy, all while manhandling a bike through a sharp left-right turn and getting back on the power. WOW.

There was some more action from other classes of bikes, and then the Second Superbikes race, which featured more of the same thrills, and spills. If you have never seen them ‘cept on TV then get to a live British Superbikes race, it’s so much better being there firsthand.

And all too soon it was time to go home. We stood in a long line to retrieve our helmets from the storage coach, then got back to the bikes. The Z750 started on the button after a few attempts, as I was too lazy to kick it this time. I decided to go with Dazza out along the A43 towards the M40 which may be a better way for him to get home. I peeled off at the A422 to Buckingam, after a stint at 70 on the dual carriageway which the old twin buzzed along ok.

Through the country lanes was a bit of a nice ride, and through the old town of Buckingham it was all just a great steady run towards home. Then a few miles to the Milton Keynes side of Buckingham the Kawasaki started to miss a little. It would clear at low or high throttle but midrange missed badly. UH OH.

I nursed the sick twin to the Old Stratford A5 roundabout, and steadily around it. At the other side it seemed to clear a little. Then about a mile from home I lost power on one cylinder completely. It’s luckily a slow bit of road, so I didn’t need to hold up traffic as I limped the Z750 into the housing estate where I live. There I managed to keep it going through the last few turns to make it home.

As it was getting dark I’ve had no time to look at the bike yet, but I’m hoping it’s just a sparkplug, or something in one of the carbs. Still winters nearly here, and the tax and mot run out in October with no plans to renew through the winter anyway I have plenty of time to sort out the stricken twin.

It was a bit of an “on-off-on” affair really. We booked the bikes in (that’s Delboy and his BSA A7 and me and the Z750 Twin) a few months ago as exhibits at a local classic vehicle show. The night before we were to be going, Delboy rings and we both decide we can’t be arsed to go to the show anyway. As I put the phone down and contemplated a quiet day, the long suffering wife chimes in with “I’d like to go, so would Phoebe”

So we decided we’d go anyway, I can show the Z750, and we’ll all get into the museum and show free and it’d be a nice family day out. Sunday morning, and Delboy rings to check once more if we’re going, I tell him the latest, and he and his mate Austin decide they’re coming up to Milton Keynes, and showing their bikes. So it’s all back on.

Anyway, Delboy and Austin arrived on their BSA’s, as I finish a quick spruce up of the Kawasaki (degrease the wheels, and wipe off the mud and crap from the roads). We saddle up and head for the epic journey to Wolverton, I say epic, it’s about 2 miles or so from my house. We arrive at the museum, get waved through even though Austin isn’t actually entered. Then my wife and daughters arrive in the car and we go back to get them in on the exhibitors passes. Parked the bikes along with the other exhibitors and went to get our exhibitor numbers. But first a pic of me and the Z750 twin, with Delboys BSA just in view on the right.

Here is a shot of the Z750 twin with Delboys BSA, and Austins BSA just behind it, and all the other bikes along this side of the track.

Here is a better pic of Austin and his BSA which was involved in an accident earlier this year, and he and Delboy repaired it (for more on this, follow this link)

It turned out to be a brilliant warm and sunny September day, and the bikes and cars turned up in great numbers to fill the museums grounds. We had a walk around the manor house / museum and then around all the bikes, cars and stationery engines for a few hours.

There were some great looking bikes at the show from all the different continents. Old British bikes like the ones below…

Some Japanese classics like the Honda nestled in this pic….

It seems every year more and more Japanese classics are being restored, and ridden to these shows, evidence below….

It seems as if the British bike dominance of classic bike shows is slowly coming to an end as the Japanese classics from the sixties, seventies and eighties become the new classics.

It was a beautiful sunny day, with lots to see, and a myriad of classic bikes and cars, but soon it was time to leave. We went back home with a load of pictures, and a plaque to commemorate our bikes being in the Wolverton Museum show 2008. Hopefully we’ll do it all again next year.