1979 Kawasaki Z1000 A3 MkII

I have had this old girl for 28 of its 35 years. Bought as a cheap runaround (everything had to be cheap in those days) it was my every day ride for many years. I eventually got around to doing a bit of restoration work (engine rebuild and paint around 1990) it gradually became a weekend and then very occasional ride. It spends most of its time tucked up in my shed. However, I am not afraid to use it, and it has never been fully restored so it remains a very well presented example of a well maintained but everyday useable machine - just how I like them.

This era and style of bike are my main interest where bikes are concerned, basically the sort of thing I grew up on. My previous bike was a Suzuki GT 750 Waterbottle - boy do I wish I hung onto that one the way prices are going with those! Honda CB750s, Suzuki GS1000 etc. All starting to get collectable. But I own them to enjoy them, not as investment, and I enjoy my Kwacka (get the name?) just fine. I don’t need the latest and fastest - too fast for me anyway!

We have been all over the country over the years, especially to race meetings (super bike, production and GP) and shared a lot of adventures, so this one is not going anywhere ever. But she might like some company in the shed...hmm, now let me see if there’s a Waterbottle going cheap out there somewhere...