Z200...

[Felix]

Seen a Z200 for sale, quite cheaply...anyone know anything about them? All I know is it's fairly old, which makes me wonder about parts availability etc. Thinking it would make an excellent bike for the girly...and probably something simple enough that I could look after it...

Hmm...just a thought, I guess...

[aardvark]

Dunno anything about them, but I'm sure you can pull the lights and mirrors off and find a class to race them in.

[Quarkz]

I've never heard of them Looks a bit like the EL250 which is a good bike, taught me how to ride. Can't be too bad of a buy if it's in good nick. If you need parts for it at all contact the Zman (http://www.zman.com) he's a REALLY nice guy and specialises in old Kwaka parts, especially the Z models.

[spekt-r]

Are you sure thats the right URL Kylie?

[Quarkz]

Ok maybe not http://www.zman.com.au

[spekt-r]

Cool, thanks for the link.

[mike-s]

an el250? nah can't be anything like one of these



it resembles a early 70's cb250 like this more

http://www.whileyouwereout.net/cb250/

But in any case it looks like a pretty clean model and hopefulyl wont give much of a problem to you if you get it. But anyhow from experience it seems you can usually get most parts from a wreckers (it was a bit of a bugger, but still possible to get ones for that 70's cb250), the first place i'd recommend going to is http://www.findapart.com.au, any wrecker worth his salt should be a member. Failing that a google search like http://www.google.com.au/search?sourcei ... asaki+z200 leads you to a few places overseas that have the bits and peices if you really really need a spare something-or-other.

[Nanna10r]

I know its a Kwika an i dont want to start a mutiny BUT Felix mate i wouldnt put a gurlie on any one else on it.
Best Use would be as an Anchor for a tinnie I reckon. This from someone that things all scooters under 500cc should be mandatory land fill. Theres another Slow points on public roads without adding to the drama.
Paddock basher at best. Too old, too slow, too hard to stop, too much friggin around to get parts, just too imo. Perfect for Bush canic'an though
Cheers Brett

[Felix]

Cheers Quarkz, Mike and others...

Yeah, it is kinda like a cb250, but ISN"T a cb250, if you catch my drift. I kinda like the fact it is a bit different, and a kwaka

No mention of RWC in the add, just that it may need a 'tune' to start (?)...it is electric start with a kick lever backup - cool! It looks ideal as a learner bike, and it could do some trips around the hills without to much drama, maybe not just particularly quickly.

And yeah, I did notice it could become a base for a bucket...but it'd kinda be a shame to do it to a bike in pretty good nick...

He's asking a paltry $700 and I may have to consider it - I made the mistake of showing it to someone....

[mike-s]

Theres another Slow points on public roads without adding to the drama.

There's plenty of trumpy's and BSA's out there on the road already , whats one more little bugger gonna do?

Paddock basher at best. Too old, too slow, too hard to stop, too much friggin around to get parts, just too imo. Perfect for Bush canic'an though

Too old? i think he's got that covered in him even looking at the old bird. In the good news dept it's got a front disc brake which is infinitely better than it running a drum, still it's no brembo. But a new set of pads and an overhaul of the brakes should improve it somewhat (if he was keen he could fit a new master cylinder.

I'm guessing that his missus wouldn't be taking it on anything faster than a 80km/h zone, so she should be pretty right on the speed front, she just has to remember to be pre-emptive with the braking and keep the distances & lead times as high as she can. Learners are often slow, so are daihatsu charades, if anyones got a problem with what vehicle you've got, they can wait for you!!

Yeah, it is kinda like a cb250, but ISN"T a cb250, if you catch my drift. I kinda like the fact it is a bit different, and a kwaka

yup

No mention of RWC in the add, just that it may need a 'tune' to start (?)...it is electric start with a kick lever backup - cool! It looks ideal as a learner bike, and it could do some trips around the hills without to much drama, maybe not just particularly quickly.

How long has it been since the current owners had it running? it may pay to renew all the fluids in it and replce all the brake pads as well as checking the seals out (see comment r.e. brakes above) and strip/rebuild the carbs.

And yeah, I did notice it could become a base for a bucket...but it'd kinda be a shame to do it to a bike in pretty good nick...

He's asking a paltry $700 and I may have to consider it - I made the mistake of showing it to someone....

Worst case scenario you've got yourself a play thing to restore if its more than a minor tweak to get it going again. I say give it a shot, you'll at least learn how to take a old clanger of a bike apart without any worries .

[Felix]

Yeah Mike, I realised my mistake WAAAY to late...

Might go and have a look next weekend...can't be too many people interested in something like that. The add says it's been "garaged" for a year so would definately need new everything. Looks like a pretty basic air cooled engine - unless someone can tell me different.

If it were to be generally ok, then it may well be worth throwing a little bit of money to improve brakes etc - I've done similar with old, old cars before..

Gotta send an email...

[mike-s]

Let me guess, someone=girlfriend?

Hell if i had the time, garage space money and the ok from my missus i'd do it too. It was fun the first time around, even though i did a half arsed job and blew the motor up!!

happy hunting

[Felix]

Bullseye Mike....

We feel a bit overcapitalised in the vehicle department at the moment - 2 cars and a bike - might become 2 bikes, so we'd kind of need to keep the cost down. At least if it weren't roadworthy, I could just build it at my own pace, and rego it when convenient.

I have tried (and failed) to interest her in a scooter, or a postie, but to no avail. I even showed her the web-site explaining de-restricting an Aprilia 50cc...not interested. How can anyone not be impressed by a 50cc doing over 100km/h???

[Quarkz]

I don't think scooters impress me full stop Felix Although, really I think I would prefer a scooter to a cruiser looking bike. Even if it is a Kwaka. Have you given her the option of a pocket bike or a golf bike? You can road register some of those and she'd certainly get some loopy looks va vooming down the street. Sure, she'd probably get mowed down by some oblivious driver but it's a option...

[James]

Sorry to be a stick in the mud, but I wouldnt be putting anyone I love on that thing as their introduction to motorcycling. I used to own a Z250 (years ago) and my bro's missus owned a LTD250 last year. Seriously, I rode a 150cc vespa that would kick its arse! They are gutless and make diahatsu charades look like Lamborginis! So I can imagine a Z200 would be worse. What is it, early 80's? Even the big bore bikes werent producing a lot of power in that era, so you can imagine the power a 200 has. Its not just the top speed you have to keep in mind - fair enough the Z200 will go 80kmh, maybe, but its the time it takes to ge there - as well as going up hills it'll die in the arse. They just dont have enough poke to keep up with modern traffic and you have to continually tap dance around the gearbox to keep the momentum up. Its a pain in the arse everytime you get a red light because you have to try so hard to get up the speed again!

Id buy that Z200 to go to the shops and perhaps the 1km I travel to work each day, and maybe just to have a project to keep me out of trouble, but not for $700! $200 Id consider it depending on what else needs doing. Even though it is a Kwaka, and its different - it also needs work & RWC. You should be able to buy a nice registered GN250 or the like for about 1500 bucks which would suit a learner better than the Z200. I mean if its not starting, has been sitting for a year and it needs a 'tune' think 'carby overhaul'. Not bad in itself if thats all it is. But it wouldnt take much for you to spend over $1500 all up on it with pads, fluid replacement, electrics, steering head bearings, chain, sprockets etc etc and when its all done, its still probably only worth $1000 and still wont have enough power to pull a boy scout off your granny! (to quote Barry)

But passion has no logic - Im just giving my .02 since you asked.