Classic Kawasaki Z650 / KZ650 - "A 30+ Year Love Affair"

[@rumblerow]

I've watched all your videos Ian and the trip of you and Finn who happens to be about the same age as my son inspired me to get a bike and just go and explore with my son. I completely understand how you enjoyed time and adventure with your son its irreplacable. My sons six foot four now but the memories are there forever. Thanks.

[@IanT-J]

WOW - My daughter just forwarded your comments to me. I'm so pleased you have had the opportunity to enjoy motorcycle trips with you son. My son is also about six foot four now. (We fed then too well !) He commented the other day, (while bump starting the old Zed) that he guessed he was too big to go on the back of the bike. YES he is, he needs to pass his motorcycle licence and join me on his own bike ! And my daughter also need to pass her motorcycle licence and join me on his own bike ! I wonder if either will read my reply ? ? ?

[@johndean5939]

Nice classic oriented videos...,....I bought my Z1000A2 new on 10/2/79........I still own it and use it every summer. Now 44 years old. Restored it 1995. It's going nowhere.......

[@IanT-J]

Thanks John - You really can't go wrong with an old Kawasaki 4 cylinder. Enjoy riding you old bike :)

[@andystewart2426]

Bought my Kawasaki Z1000st new in July 1980, so 42 years ago. I’ve still got it, it’s still going like a rocket and I just love it though at nearly 76 years of age I should be really be slowing down as it a heavy old work of art !

[@IanT-J]

Bought from new and kept for 42 years, that’s an achievement 😁 I hope you have many more summers riding Z1000 please don’t “slow down”

[@andystewart2426]

“Who can catch a Kawasaki” ??? ……….they have always “Let the good times roll “ I guess I’ve got a few years of “Redlining it “!!!!!👍🤞

[@timoflynn8224]

What a video Ian! I loved it. It also took me back to when I took my son aged 12 (he's now 26) on the back of my bike for a tour of Belgium and the Netherlands. Thank you for bringing back great memories. Oh, and I bought BMW R80 new in 1986 and I'm still riding it.

[@IanT-J]

Those father and son memories are so special. Our stories and son age are very similar. Did your son follow you with a love of motorcycles ? Unfortunately my son has no interest in motorcycles, but perhaps one day he will see the light 😁

[@madmaxxmad2]

My first street bike was the 1980 Yamaha 650 Special, bringing back some memories Ian

[@IanT-J]

I'm glad to have brought back some memories, I hope they were all good memories 😎

[@buxvan]

Great video. I saw Mad MAX at the cinema when I was 16 in 1979 & had my first moped, A 1975 mobylette Mobyx7. Loved the Z's in it. Couldn't afford one back then. Bought a BSA Bantam which I passed my test on, then a BSA Royal star 500 in 1982 which I still have 40 years on. Also have a 77 XT 500 which cost me £50 in 1995 (in bits) bought a B2A Z650 In 2017 but got rid of it because I like 1 carb to fiddle with rather than 4.

[@IanT-J]

I love reading other people’s motorcycle histories 👍 I’m sorry your Z650 wasn’t right for you. I too like a single carb, although I’ve just bought a 6 carb I hope it’s not too much continuous maintenance 😩

[@UncleLongbeard]

Great story Ian. Unfortunately I won't have any bike for 30 years as I like to experience lot of different motorcycles and can't afford to keep them all ;) Anyways - you should go to Poland/Czechia/Slovakia. I can give you some good tips for such a trip.

[@IanT-J]

Hi Uncle Longboard, it's good to hear from you :) One day I plan a trip to Romania, perhaps some of your countries mentioned could be incorporated within this trip. Keep making your videos my friend and stay safe :)

[@williamlowther7051]

Fantastic stuff, inspiring story, great video

[@IanT-J]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video William. I have a new series of Honda CBX1000 coming out shortly :)

[@robbateman7987]

Very good video Ian, subscribed to you your channel because and was not disappointed. Immensely watchable content. I have had my 1980 Z500 since new and kept to the UK. It has now done over 80000 miles ans i still love riding it. My Bandit and GS125 it fun too. Many thanks

[@IanT-J]

Kept your 1980 Z500 from new, that's an achievement, I guess you will just never sell it, fantastic 😁 Stay safe Rob and enjoy riding your bikes 👍

[@richardfews2113]

Hi Ian nice vid .Recently my email was hacked so I had to do some trimming of my retained folders before transferring them.I don’t know if you recall but in 2018 you gave me some good advice for my first ever longer distance trip which was a present to myself at my retirement ( although that has quite worked out as I’m back part time) The trip planned was through France and Spain inc the Pyrenees.I still retain our exchange as part of the memory bank and your recommendation to view your KZbin vid of you and your sons travels.The Honda 500 cbx 2017 is still touring( now at 38k) and I have the bug always for more adventure .We’re off to the Black Forest this year and the Yorkshire Dales in March.Living in Bristol I have great UK tour options on our doorstep and we’re regularly off on the tarmac.All the best and thanks again .Richard

[@IanT-J]

Great to hear from you Richard 👍 I’m glad you “have the bug always for more adventure” The Black Forest is a personal favourite I’m sure you will have a great tip. In fact a Black Forrest and Alpine trip is on my list. All the best Ian

[@jackwalsh1468]

Ian, enjoyed the story and video. Good to see you posting, again. Cheers, Mate.

[@IanT-J]

Thanks for your support Jack 👍

[@owenhunt9088]

Great story spanning decades. Makes me want to go on an adventure. Nice work Ian

[@IanT-J]

Thanks Owen 👍 Yes - Take your camera and head off on an adventure, big or small it really doesn't matter. I await your video 😁

[@elendshuraglump3620]

Great !!!

[@IanT-J]

Thanks !!!

[@zooperdooper3766]

Excellent video Ian as always! I like going on small trips around Tasmania on my 1980 Kwaka Z440c despite the fact it's almost twice as old as me. Keep up the good work champ!

[@IanT-J]

A motorcycle twice as old as you are, that's quite an achievement 😁 Enjoy your Tasmania Trip 👍

[@elliottpottle4280]

Great video Ian!

[@IanT-J]

Thanks for your support Elliot 👍

[@pasko59000]

Same Bike *, same rider , and 51 years with my mono 175cc next november 2023… * now, my old lady and me run always ´, but only around my garden . Is a Best thérapy✌️…. ( 🎼forever young 🎼)

[@IanT-J]

Great story Pasko, that must be one special motorcycle and one large garden. I hope you continue enjoying both for many more years 👍

[@robosborne6514]

Out of curiosity, how many mile's have you done on ya Kwaka & good & interesting video by the way

[@IanT-J]

Hi Rob I’m unsure of the old Z650 mileage or even if the locks are off the original bike. The bike is however extremely tired and really could do with a total overhaul and engine rebuild 😩 I need to retire but am unfortunately too young 😩

[@robosborne6514]

@@IanT-J thanks Ian, im sure it's been around the clock a time or 2, ya never to old, ride until you no longer can & maybe ya son can help you overhaul the ole girl, defending be worth the effort.

[@GTMarmot]

Ian do you have any information about which engines can be swapped, between the 1970s and 1980s Kawasaki "Z" chain-driven bikes? The engine mounts look very similar between the different models. For example, could I put a 4-cylinder Z500 engine in, say, a Z440 twin (swingarm and sprocket offset notwithstanding)? Or would a Z750 engine find into, say, a GPZ550? Or would a Z400 twin engine fit in, say, a Z200 single? Thanks

[@IanT-J]

Hi GT Marmot, All I know is that I have a different Z650 bike/frame with an old air cooled Z750 engine that fits without any modifications 😎

[@IanT-J]

My understanding is that the old air cooled Z 4 cylinder engines ran for years, in many different cc sizes, but were basically all the same engines although the later engines were painted black 👍

[@GTMarmot]

@@IanT-J Thanks

[@robby_a9397]

Very cool video Ian! Get rid of that squeaky buffoon who talks before you though

[@IanT-J]

"that squeaky buffoon" is unfortunately you best friend from school Rob 😎