Turning 100

[Timothy Linke]

Bill if the clutch is a problem. Look at a FJR1300ae I have one and i like
the auto clutch. They can be had at a reasonable price as they are not in
high demand.

Come by and try mine if you would like.

On Oct 7, 2017 9:07 AM, "William P. Zeller" <cherryriver at cherryriver.com>
wrote:

> A week or so ago, my ZX <https://www.facebook.com/phot
> o.php?fbid=912181732177275&set=a.181762335219222.46473.10
> 0001563719117&type=3>clock <https://www.facebook.com/phot
> o.php?fbid=1540136146048494&set=a.181762335219222.46473.10
> 0001563719117&type=3>turned past 100K miles (160K km). (photo <
> https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=912181732177275&
> set=a.181762335219222.46473.100001563719117&type=3> from '15)
>
> One of the disappointing things (!) is that Kawasaki neglected to include
> the sixth digit so now my bike appears to be nearly new, with only 430
> miles (692km) on it.  I suppose at some point I'll be compelled to open up
> the speedo case and paint a numeral "1" on the face.
>
> It so happened I was able to visit MCC Motorcycle Center in Villa Park, IL
> yesterday on my errands.  It's a very large Ducati-Triumph dealership
> that's been around forever but just built up this new location.  There were
> so many Bonnevilles on the floor I could hardly count them all, and the
> rows of Ducatis were downright intimidating.
>
> In conversation with the salesman, I had the opportunity to recall my
> ZX's service history over the sixteen years I've owned it.  (For reference,
> it was a "crate bike" sold new in March, 2000 to a guy in Downers Grove,
> IL, from whom I bought it in August, 2001 with 2230 miles (3600km) on it-
> he couldn't stand the ergonomics, specifically the ridiculous handlebars.
> The price was $4400).
>
> Basically, I've changed the battery twice, the OEM having gone some nine
> years at least, and the chain once, at 48,000 miles (77,250km).  It's
> still, heaven help me, on the second chain.
>
> I replaced the okay-condition rear shock with one off a crash bike
> obtained from a lister here in order to get a shock with 20,000 fewer
> miles.  I am on the third headlight bulb and replaced on taillight bulb,
> although all have been since replaced with LED types.
>
> The steering head bearings have been replaced twice, most recently about
> two years ago when the bike was rescued from a post-divorce storage
> situation that was none too favorable.
>
> That's it for service.  I know I've never owned another bike so reliable
> and trouble-free.  Even my GL1800, which has a few more thousand miles on
> the clock owing to its considerable service in two-up travels, has been a
> little more demanding.
>
> Back in August '00, I was thinking the ZX was a holding bike til I got
> replacement for my traded-off Concours, but such turned out not to be the
> case.
>
> Nowadays I have to confess to thinking about getting another bike for the
> ZX's uses, because, after all, it can't last forever, and besides, there
> have been one or two technological advances in the last 21 years (modern
> suspension, anyone?) and I have to confess to giving thought to the Honda
> DCT automatic transmission as the arthritis of my many years of being a
> carpenter makes clutching sometimes unpleasant.
>
> But still... nothing seems as comfortable or as suited to as many purposes
> as this thing and it still goes along pretty well.  Given the mods making
> it more to my liking, full Givis, Heli handlebars, and dozens of little
> touches, how could a new bike really replace it?
>
> And, cost so little over time?
>
> What a bike.
>
> Bill Zeller
> Lemont, IL
>
> P.S.- I still have the valve shim kit here, although Art Johnson requested
> a half-dozen.  The kit is low on 2.30 and 2.40 but otherwise intact.
>
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