![Winds of change!](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5243/539245/5fa2879a92606/Winds-of-change.jpg)
I always fancied a Kawasaki Zephyr when they first came out in the early 1990s, which in turn began when I first saw a Z1, but couldn't afford either of them at the time when the bug had bitten…
Strangely, it was the 550 I thought was the best looking due to its close-pitch cylinder finning as opposed to the 750; the1100 had not been released at that point, so that was my only choice. Fast forward to 2013 and I saw by chance – an 1100 Zephyr for sale on eBay, which piqued my interest again. Also by now I was able to afford one.
So I started looking for an1100, which was now my preferred model.
Yes, it was a case of ‘ biggest is best’, and on balance it’s the better-looking model. Despite scouring every motorcycle media known to man I couldn’t find anything good enough – and not many were out there.
By the end of 2013 I got fed up with the search and forgot all about it, but come 2015 I came across the Japanese 'Sanctuary' website and that did it... Wow! Those bikes look awesome and I knew I had to build a bike along those lines. So the search began again in earnest, until I found a bike very poorly advertised on Gumtree. It just said 'Kawasaki Zephyr 1100' and a land-line number.
As bad as the advert was, this turned up a gem. It was a 1997 registered B1 with wire-spoked wheels, the vendor had owned it from new and it'd only done a genuine 5500 miles! What's more, the price was favourable, too!
The race was on to get the bike – but I had no van, no one to help and no trailer. I sorted a trailer locally, only to find it was overpriced and a deathtrap, as he’d built it himself! I’m stuck, so I pay the dosh and fix it up as best I can ready for the journey to Essex the next day.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 2020 من Classic Motorcycle Mechanics.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 2020 من Classic Motorcycle Mechanics.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Honda VFR750R - RC30
If there’s a more worshipped V4 out there, we’ve yet to see it: welcome to our reboot of the awesome VFR750R RC30…
![Mountain tension!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5243/725565/6128834cd2ab6/crp_Mountain-tension.jpg)
Mountain tension!
Award-winning motorcycle engineer!
![Fazer set to STUN!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5243/725565/61288945b8905/crp_Fazer-set-to-STUN.jpg)
Fazer set to STUN!
What do you get when you mix CRK’s lovely café racer kit to Yamaha’s budget middleweight and the recently-retired Martin Fox? Well, one helluva foxy Fazer!
![Project Suzuki 1984 RG250 part 4 BRUNO BARES ALL!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5243/725565/612877300a5e5/crp_Project-Suzuki-1984-RG250-part-4BRUNO-BARES-ALL.jpg)
Project Suzuki 1984 RG250 part 4 BRUNO BARES ALL!
This month, while we wait for backorder engine parts, we strip the chassis back to the bare frame, assess what is needed and plan the reassembly…
![Project Kawasaki Z900 Stocker part 2 Ralph has a blast!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5243/725565/61288005ee272/crp_Project-Kawasaki-Z900-Stocker-part-2-Ralph-has-a-blast.jpg)
Project Kawasaki Z900 Stocker part 2 Ralph has a blast!
For the best finish on his Z900’s motor Ralph wants the best, so he visits Stephen Smethurst Casting Renovation to find out how it’s done properly.
![Project Suzuki TS400 Part 8 Loom with a view!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5243/725565/61287a0244003/crp_Project-Suzuki-TS400-Part-8Loom-with-a-view.jpg)
Project Suzuki TS400 Part 8 Loom with a view!
We’re getting down into the nitty-gritty this time with component testing and loom building. What could go wrong?
![Project Yamaha TX750 Part 12 A question of balance…](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5243/725565/612874d758e99/crp_Project-Yamaha-TX750-Part-12A-question-of-balance.jpg)
Project Yamaha TX750 Part 12 A question of balance…
Only The Beach Boys had good vibrations… so what’s Mark been up to, to sort out the bad ones coming from his TX750?
![Splitting links](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5243/725565/612881a974776/crp_Splitting-links.jpg)
Splitting links
Ralph Ferrand works with tools all day long – he sells them too at bikerstoolbox.co.uk so he knows what works.
STAVROS: PRINCE OF PRANKSTERS!
It’s probably fair to say that Stephen JamesParrish’s persona and overall levity throughout his life have muddied the waters as to just how good a bike racer he was back in the day.
![Metal magic!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5243/675190/60c86275889dd/crp_Metal-magic.jpg)
Metal magic!
Ralph Ferrand works with tools all day long – he sells them too at bikerstoolbox co uk so he knows what works.. .