Posts tagged as “KZ1000”

Framed: Harris Magnum 2 Kawasaki KZ

Published May 4, 2011 by Ian

Framed: Harris Magnum 2 Kawasaki KZ

What a unique bike! As a fan of RG500’s I was aware of Harris framed RG’s and the fact that they ran Suzuki’s WSB effort in the mid 90’s. Once again though, I’m learning there is much more to be learned. Harris made (and still makes) a lot more than frames for RG’s. Here is a link to the frame kits they currently offer.

Since I was kickin it on a Schwinn in 1973 here is a nice history of the Magnum line of bikes from Specialsrally.co.uk:

The Harris Magnum was Harris’s reaction to owners of the F1 frame kits and the endurance kits putting them on the road. The Magnum 1 was basically the endurance kit with bodywork and lights and called a magnum.

the Magnum 2 was the same bike with bodywork designed by “Target” who also designed the Suzuki Katana. Later mk2 kits had proper subframes with the battery box mounted in the frame instead of in the fiberglass seat.

The Magnum 3 was Harris’s first attempt at a real road bike. Many thought it a little understated in the styling department and they sold less than 50 worldwide.

In answer to this the Magnum 4 was produced with styling borrowed from the successfull Mk2 and suspension borrowed from the superior handling Mk3.

Last in line was the Mk5, but by the time the Mk5 was produced the Japs had such fine handling machines that their was really no reason apart from styling to produce such a kit. Harris have not produced a frame kit for some time.

If you were curious they still make Magnum frames but only for some Suzuki engines. So if you are a Kawi guy then it’s time to bid.

Read on for the details:

Up for bid is a very,very rare original Harris Magnum 2, This bike was manufactures in 1973, but was built using Z1 and KZ parts. Engine vin# is Z1E 122487. This is a true street legal endurance race bike. While I have owned this bike I inspected the cams changed the oil and filter. I also installed a new Dyna ignition including 3.0 ohm Dyna coils. unique items on this bike includes a single shock rear suspension, I believe a rear Fox shock, morris magnesium rims, harris rear sets, full set of undamged harris fiberglass fairings, 36mm mikuni carbs, new Avon super venum tires, lockhart oil cooler, manual cam chain adjuster, A very rare twin plug head, this might be a “pappy yoshimura” head?, after market race cylinder-bore size unknown, clip-ons, street legal, kerker header, The miles on speedo are unknown. I’m sure there are items not listed above, and some I might have forgot and others I just don’t know about. Here is a chance to own something you will probably never see again. Ride to bike night,park it in your living room and drink a beer while sitting on it, our vintage race.

Now that is a seller with some smarts. He gives you options: ride it or have a beer sitting on it in your living room. In all honesty it looks like it would be a fun project to restore to its’ former glory.

What do you guys think is a reasonable price? I frankly have no clue. I would think it would sell easily if the seller hasn’t set the reserve unreasonably high. It is rare, no doubt about that but how much will you pay for that rarity. Time will tell. document.write('');You can see it here.

3 Responses.

1980 Rickman Kawasaki CR

Published January 16, 2011 by Mike

1980 Kawasaki Rickman CR

No sooner does the RSBFS staff find what we believe is a rare bike, when another staff member finds vitually the same bike available only a short time later. Such is the feast or famine environment of rare, collectable sportbikes. Take this Rickman-framed Kawasaki 1000, for example. It was only last week that Ian posted a similar Rickman Kawasaki HERE.

From the seller:
This auction is for a 1980 Kawasaki Rickman 1000. Bike is original and in great condition.
Bike runs good.
Betor forks
AP Lockeed brakes, Front Double Disc
Super-Rare GOLD Starlite Wheels
Marzocchi rear shocks
Transmission and clutch work great.
Little smoke at start-up but clears out.
Speedometer cable broken
I have receipts for head port and polish
Andrews 2X Cams and Heavy-Duty valve springs
Yoshimura 1105 Piston Kit
Barnett EP Clutch Kit
29mm Carbs
EXTRAS:
Extra Rickman Sprockets
Turn signals with Rickman front signal mounts.

The winning bid for the last Rickman Kawasaki CR was $7,801 in a no-reserve auction. This bike should bring similar money (if not higher), although the auction at the time of this writing is much lower. The current bid is at $2,550, and there is a reserve in place. If you missed the last one, here is your chance to own a peice of Rickman Competition Replica history – chrome-moly tubing and all! document.write('');Click Here to jump over to the auction.

One Response.

No Reserve! 1977 Rickman CR Framed KZ1000

Published January 9, 2011 by Ian

No Reserve! 1977 Rickman CR Framed KZ1000

This one is going to a new home one way or the other. As usual, with some of the lesser known 70’s sport bikes I had to do a little research to be able to write anything coherent about this bike. What I found was interesting to me. Rickman was a little like an English version of Bimota. They were well reguarded frame builders that sourced their engines from several manufacturers. They started with hare scrambles type bikes and moved onto building road racing frames.

For a time they produced some complete small cc motorcycles but then returned again to frames and “kit” bikes. They earned a solid reputation for the frames and the nice fiberglass work that came in the kits. Just from a casual glance I’d say they got the styling correct. Seems like a good combination: a large, hp loaded Japanese motor in a hand built frame with some modern styling.

That is a manly man’s gas cap there my friends. It’s not museum quality but I can’t imagine there are too many out there to choose from and hey, we all know it is a lot more fun when there is no reserve on the auction. Even though it isn’t in pristine condition it only has 6196 miles on it. Here is the best explainer I could find about the “CR” series of frames.

The details:

For sale here is a rare Rickman CR (Competition Replica). The frame was built by Rickman in the UK in 1977. It is constructed from Reynolds 531 tubing, which is beautifully brass-brazed and then nickel plated. It has Betor forks, AP Lockheed brakes, and superb German-made Ronal wheels. It is fitted with a 1977 Kawasaki KZ1000 motor, with Kerker exhaust and K&N Filters.

The bike runs well, but is a bit smoky when cold. Cosmetically it is certainly presentable but not a concours candidate! The bodywork is generally good though the fairing has some stress cracks, etc. The frame is in good condition. A prior owner has fitted frame-neck covers which are just thin pieces of aluminum sheet and seem to serve no real purpose–these can be seen in the pictures.

The speedometer and tachometer are new.

The rear brake master cylinder leaks and needs to be rebuilt.

The bike comes with a selection of eccentric washers for adjusting the chain tension.

There is NO Buy-it-Now and No Reserve either.

Does anyone else see Ducati in those lines? Does anyone know if the wheels were part of the kit or added by the various owners?

Who says we don’t have naked pictures here at RSBFS?

The Italians do it, the British have done it, why can’t someone here in America make unique frames, add them to solid engines and mix in some different styling? Maybe the latest incarnation of Buell is the answer.

document.write('');Make room if you are bidding because you might be taking this one home.

7 Responses.

Before Yamaha, Honda And Cagiva Eddie Piloted A Kawi

Published October 21, 2010 by Ian

1982 Kawasaki KZ1000R Eddie Lawson Replica

I still find it hard to believe people used to race these beasts. Well, some hearty souls did and bikes like this helped catapult them into the world of grand prix racing. This was Kawasaki’s tribute to Eddie Lawson winning the superbike title for them here in the United States. What caught my eye was how dog gone shiny this thing is. I figured that it was just too shiny and had to be a respray. After looking at some photos though, I think it is the original paint. Kawasaki just lacquered em up back in the day. I’ve commented before that you could practically eat of some of the bikes we post because they are so clean. Check out the picture below and tell me that isn’t true about the bottom of the engine.

I don’t know if I own anything that is that clean. I guess I’ll have to assume some this cleanliness comes from the restoration the seller describes but overall just a beautiful example to survive the years unscathed. It isn’t bone stock; you can see the airbox has been removed and I can’t quite tell if that is the original Kerker pipe. In a couple of photos I found on the net the muffler did not seem to slant up like this one does. It may just be my poor eyesight. The seller can you give you the details much better than me:

Up for bid is my 1982 1000R EDDIE LAWSON REPLICA I bought this bike from its original owner and have owned it for almost 20 years .This is production # 611 of 750 built in 82″ engine # KZT00JE03527, This bike has a complete full restoration with new tires, brakes, sprockets , grips ,ext. This bike has a total of 16,000 original miles on it with a Wisceo 1035cc bore kit installed 500 miles ago. Bike looks ,runs, and sounds better than new and is in show room condition. A must see to appreciate and would make a great addition to any collector who wants to own a piece of superbike history.

Only know problems with bike are the trip meter on odometer does not reset and speedometer works but is getting a bad signal from front wheel speed sensor making needle jump back and forth a little on actual speed.

This bike is decribed to the best of my knowlage listing any know problems and is being sold AS-IS condition with no written or implied warranty it has a clean NYS. title.

This bike is for sale locally so I reserve the right to end action early if needed.

Pay Pal payment excepted terms $1000 down remaining balance due 1 week after end of auction needs to be received in full before any shipping or delivery

Buyer responable for veichle pick up or shipping , Please contact me by e-mail with any other questions on bike or possiable help on ship

It looks like that shiny engine has caught a few people’s attention as the bidding has been active on this one. As of this writing, in the fabulously plush RSBFS offices, the auction stands at $9,100 and the reserve has not been met. I can honestly say I don’t know how high this one will go for a little Kawi superbike history. document.write('');Jump on over here.

2 Responses.

Vetter Mystery Ship #7

Published May 16, 2009 by Alex

If you feel that nothing is sexier than a Vetter fairing on an older bike, then I have something you may really enjoy: Vetter Mystery Ship No. 7 of 10 is currently available in Iowa. Vetter fairing’s were a staple bike accessory during the late sixties and into the eighties. It turns out that Craig Vetter wasn’t happy with just fairings. In 1980, Mr. Vetter created ten of his own superbikes based on the Kawasaki KZ1000. The intention was to tie into Vetter’s racing sponsorship and having Dymag magnesium wheels, Yoshimura exhaust, and other goodies it becomes somewhat neat while remaining, unmistakably, late seventies. This example, No. 7, was originally owned by Malcolm Forbes–a good anorak fact, not necessarily adding to the value. What would be interesting to know is if the bike is completely original and how many miles it currently has. Extremely rare and probably carrying a small following, it is difficult to know if the asking price of $24000 is market correct or not. What is the bike worth? Whatever a buyer will pay. 24k may sound high, but consider, that there are only ten in the world (with most being in museums); what is it worth to you? See the Craigslist ad here.

mystery mystery2

See attached links for more information on the Vetter Mystery Ship:

Motorcycle Museum’s Mystery Ship page

Craig Vetter Website