Just a quick introduction to the group...
I am 44 years old and live in Lake Stevens WA (east of Everett, north of Seattle). I started riding street bikes at the age of 16 and my daily ride is a 2001 Kawasaki Concours I bought new in 2002 and is now rapidly approaching the 60,000 mile mark. I commute year round by bike, am an active member of the Concours Owners Group (COG), completed a Saddlesore 1000 to earn membership in the Iron Butt Assoc, and have completed more 600+ mile days than I can remember. Like the Concours, I have always had a thing for the original Eliminator and a few years back set out to find one in good condition to pamper and ride around in the sun. In December of 2005 I picked up a 1985 ZL900 (Red) with less than 18,000 miles, got a good deal and rode it home in the rain. I put it in my in-laws garage to sit until spring when the weather would improve.
An unfortunate mishap (knocked over in the garage), caused problems with the carbs and it was running on only 3 cylinders with gas dripping from the exhaust on a continually flooded #1 cylinder. I never could make the time to work on it, spring soon turned to summer, then fall brought a new house after 13 years and fixing motorcycles went to the back burner. Pretty soon it was winter again and no rush. As winter turned to spring again my mother-in-law began a constant series of "reminders" that she would like her garage space back. Faced with trailering it to the new house, I decided I might as well trailer it to a shop instead. Wasn't going to be anytime soon in my schedule to devote to it, so for the sake of expediency, I decided to just pay shop rate and get it done. Instead of trailering it to the new house, it came home Monday snarling under it's own power.
What a hoot to ride! I have very little info on what may have been done to it, near as I can figure I am the 3rd or 4th owner. It is scary fast compared to my Connie (which is no slouch). After reading some of the posts here, I am thinking my 34mpg average may mean it has been re-jetted. Having to stop for gas after only 75 miles is not something I am used to with a 7.5 gal tank on the Connie!
Cosmetically it is in pretty good shape. The only real flaws are some pitting/corrosion on the forks and a few other areas and some cracking/delamination of the chrome coating on the side covers (anyone know of a source for replacement?). It also has mismatched mirrors, other than that it is in pretty darn good shape for a 22 year old bike.
Even though I am a hardened veteran when it comes to riding, this is unchartered territory for me. Connie has very little chrome, only gets washed when I ride in the rain and has been customized to provide all the comforts. This bike has lots of chrome (that I intend to polish), will not see riding in the rain (or sleet, or snow as Connie does) will be kept bone stock and will live a pampered existence for it's golden years.
Looking forward to exchanging info, pics, and stories with the group as well as meeting folks for riding.
Wayne Wilson
