What the Adventure Looks Like Now...

So, to have an adventure, something has to start it. The something in this case is a somewhat the worse for wear W1 650 currently located in central eastern Ohio, pictured here. It has a seat but apparently the seller didn't consider the seat to be an asset in terms of sales presentation - not that I care. I already have another stock seat. I've been watching the market for a couple of years now and finally had the money rounded up to give something a shot. Given my mechanical skills and tools, background with these machines, and the fact that I still have my factory shop manuals I was looking for something relatively complete but not necessarily pristine. This bike looked like a good prospect so I went after it. There was the expected pitched bidding battle in the last couple of minutes but (as eBay has been promoting for the last couple of months) I "shopped victoriously". Now the challenge of getting it here from Ohio. It's indoors and so it's not getting any worse and the fellow who's got it has been very supportive (mainly because he's got bigger fish to fry right now) which is appreciated. Been looking at different options for a couple of months. My used car buddy said he could get it here cheap ... but that hasn't happened.Don't have any time off I can use to drive out and get it right now. I'm considering uShip, a reader of this new blog has referred me to Forward Air, and I'm on hold as I write this with DAS (Dependable Auto Shippers)... as a matter of fact it's the second hold after they disconnected me the first time. Side note: Have you ever noticed how people get in business, put their shingle out, and then aren't prepared to actually talk to you and do a deal when you need them to? Like their not really serious about the whole "business" thing? Anyway, if anyone has any other bright ideas, feel free to let me know with a post or an email. On the blog development - I've added a number of links on the right and would be glad to list any more that make sense. Let me know about sources, parts, people, or places and I'll check 'em out. Thanks

The Adventure Begins...Again!

Hi folks,
The last time I was actively riding a W2 650 Kawasaki I was in Japan and the blogosphere didn't exist. For that matter the web didn't exist. I was still reverse engineering code from Tektronics scientific work stations and HP equipment and modifying submarine routines to solve surface warfare problems. I started my Japanese motorcycle experience with a 350 Honda, rapidly moved up to the W2 650 and, in the course of events, was riding a BMW R75/6 and a Yamaha XS 11 Street Special. I never got tired of the (at that time not so old) Kawasaki though, and when my time came to return to the United States I shipped my 650 back to the states only to find that customs had impounded it and required a $700 bond be posted to insure that it would be modified to meet US safety standards. The only modification required was to change the headlight and bulb (about a $50 mod) but I couldn't get the bike out of impound to change it without posting the $700 bond. Needless to say, I didn't have $700. Sailor's still don't make much money and they didn't make didly back then. The bike was undoubtedly auctioned off to some San Diego scrapyard where it may be to this day... although one would like to think it had a nobler end. So... the years have passed and I am now the proud owner of another Kawasaki 650 twin - this time a W1 through the magic of eBay. Still have to fetch it to California from Ohio but it's mine! So this blog will be about the adventures of getting it here and restoring it to it's former glory, a place to solve 650 twin or restoration problems, share knowledge of parts, post links to other resources, and give W Series Kawasaki vertical twin 650 owners a place to connect up. To my best knowledge there is no other such location on the web as we speak. So, welcome all you denizens of the global economy who have, want to have, ride, or restore Kawasaki W Series 650 motorcycles. Long live the Kawasaki Ro Pyak Go Ju (that's 650 in the romaji form of Japanese :-)