Hello everyone

[BJ81ZED]

Well its finally happened, back to square one with a big Kawasaki Zed, same year as my first one in the early 80s.

Last bikes I had was 12 years ago, tried Suzuki for the first time, a SV1000 GSXR special edition and before that a GSXR750K5. Mother in law passed away in 2019 and my wife had apparently discussed with her getting me a bike again but it only came up a week or so ago while I was looking for a Tamiya Z1300 kit in 1/8th scale. I searched eBay and found real Z1300s, one of which I was told to call about because of the low price but it had gone in two days of being advertised. Fast forward a week and I am now the proud owner of my first shafty, a 1981 Z1100STA1. I say owner as its not yet in my possession, it is still at the dealer about to have full service, road test and its last MOT as they have had it for a couple of years. Its a German model restored by a well know German 80s bikes restorer. I do have the dealer pictures and there is a YouTube video by the dealer too but no pictures of my own yet.

I cant wait to have it here for the first time and finally sit on it and fire it up. My first big Zed was a Z1000J tricked up to be a Lawson Replica by one of Pip Higham's mechanics, very fast, it would pull to red line two up and the Harris Endurance exhaust on it sounded like nothing else. as it is customary to post a picture on the introduction posts I will put one of this bike for now and one of the below mentioned GPz.

After that I had a Z650 but I cant remember which year and model, it had cast wheels and hazard lights if anyone can help pin the model down. Then it was a 1988 GPz750 Unitrak in black, I had to go to Norfolk to get that as it was not a common colour. After that is was a ZZR600 and then a break before the Suzuki's which were as a result of a redundancy package.

Anyway, back to the new purchase and I received the correct Kawasaki workshop manual in the post today (eBay). Looking at the spec the German and Swiss versions had 3bhp less and also less torque then the EU model in general. anyone on here know how this was doe and if there is a simple change to get the extra three ponies?

Cheers

Brian

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[Philippe]

Hello Brian

welcome to the club! A lot of nice people here, allways ready to give advice.
Nice Z1000 you had back in the eighties and the Gpz 750 looks great in black!
As soon as you have your Z1100 shaft, show us a picture please.
If you want to know what parts of the German version are different compared to the EU version, have a look at the parts diagram in an original parts manual. It might be the carbs or perhaps the camshafts, I'm not sure.
Back in the eighties German law prohibited bikes to have more than 100 Bhp...they changed that law later because they realised they couldn't stop progress.
Greetings from Belgium
Philippe

[DavidZ1R]

Welcome Brian, might catch you up Rivington one fine post lock down sunny Sunday

[steve452]

Hi there.

Welcome to the Forum. A funny thing happened on my way here

[chrisNI]

[marmck]

Hello & Welcome to the club.

[BJ81ZED]

Hello Brian

If you want to know what parts of the German version are different compared to the EU version, have a look at the parts diagram in an original parts manual. It might be the carbs or perhaps the camshafts, I'm not sure.
Back in the eighties German law prohibited bikes to have more than 100 Bhp...they changed that law later because they realised they couldn't stop progress.
Greetings from Belgium
Philippe

Hi Philppe

I do remember the thing about German bikes being restricted to 100 not under it but for the sake of 3bhp (100 for EU and 97 for German/Swiss models) it seems crazy to make a difference. Looking in the manual the only difference in the carbs is the US needle jet, all other markets have common needle jet. Nothing in the camshaft sections at all and the cam heights for exhaust and inlet are listed and it is only showing one so maybe the cam lobe profiles are slightly different. No part numbers listed but it may be a slightly milder cam for the affected markets. More research needed.

Cheers

Brian

[kev edwards]

Hello and welcome,

[ADRIAN H]

Hello and welcome, from Sunny Bournemouth.

[Ultim8pc]

Welcome BJ81ZED, we'll look forward to seeing photos!

[KWACKERZ1]

Welcome great back in the day photo's

[BJ81ZED]

Well tomorrow afternoon the Z1100 is finally arriving, the excitement is killing me but were all ready to go and the Lancashire weather is being kind to me this week. As soon as she arrives I will post a couple of photos then head out for local ride to reacquaint myself with a heavy bike with poor brakes

My daughter and I went shopping for some new gear in Darwen at the weekend so two excited people in the house. Just got my Spring 2021 magazine to so all is well.

[Ultim8pc]

Well tomorrow afternoon the Z1100 is finally arriving, the excitement is killing me but were all ready to go and the Lancashire weather is being kind to me this week. As soon as she arrives I will post a couple of photos then head out for local ride to reacquaint myself with a heavy bike with poor brakes

My daughter and I went shopping for some new gear in Darwen at the weekend so two excited people in the house. Just got my Spring 2021 magazine to so all is well.

I'm just over the border near Skipton and get over your way quite a bit. So would be good to have a meet up when we're allowed.

[BJ81ZED]

Well tomorrow afternoon the Z1100 is finally arriving, the excitement is killing me but were all ready to go and the Lancashire weather is being kind to me this week. As soon as she arrives I will post a couple of photos then head out for local ride to reacquaint myself with a heavy bike with poor brakes

My daughter and I went shopping for some new gear in Darwen at the weekend so two excited people in the house. Just got my Spring 2021 magazine to so all is well.

I'm just over the border near Skipton and get over your way quite a bit. So would be good to have a meet up when we're allowed.

I would be up for that, we would also heading over your way too, plus need a trip to Devils Bridge for old times sake although all the corners were straightened out and a by-pass added (and a lot more traffic) have somewhat changed the route for the worse since the 80s. Last time I passed Settle on the bypass with my daughter on-board 13 years ago on the GSXr 750 I got pulled for speeding too.

[BJ81ZED]

Its finally arrived, about to go for a spin to reacquaint myself with old school technology.