"New" old Bike, and looking for an opinion on a ZL900

MSGAmling · 03-02-2008

The bride layed down the law, and said that my part of the basement was getting too full and something had to go. I sold a Honda '76 CR250 Elsinore and traded a little '80 Yamaha DT100 and Honda XR200 for a sweetheart of a '80 Yamaha DT125 that someone really put a lot of effort into restoring. This little thing runs like it just came off the showroom floor. A slight thaw today made the roads sort of driveable, so a quick 25 mile ride gave me a chance to try it out. Sweet!

I'm also looking for an opinion on a '85 Kawasaki ZL900 Eliminator. By getting rid of 3 bikes, and only bringing one back, I figure that I can bring home one more and still abide by the bride's intent. Besides, seeing the KZ 650 and the little DT125 sitting there side by side, they look like they need more company. I'm thinking about picking up a ZL900, but don't know much about them, and can't find much out about them. I've never had a liquid cooled bike before, so this would be a switch for me. What are the good and bad points of the ZL?

This isn't the specific bike I'm thinking about, but is the same year and model, but a different color. I understand that the bike was only made for 2 years and was popular in Europe, but I haven't seen or heard much about them around here.

gpzrider · 03-02-2008

Send a PM to Rick in PA Wa http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...#37;2Bwa..html

He's big into these bikes and will be able to help.

MSGAmling · 03-03-2008

Thanks gpzrider, I sent him an e-mail

vulcaneyez · 03-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSGAmling

The bride layed down the law, and said that my part of the basement was getting too full and something had to go. I sold a Honda '76 CR250 Elsinore and traded a little '80 Yamaha DT100 and Honda XR200 for a sweetheart of a '80 Yamaha DT125 that someone really put a lot of effort into restoring.

Please post a pic of the Elsinore.

I have a toy version that I have had since I was a kid that I recently came across. I used ride my GI Joes on it.

I recently eBayed the GI Joes and came across the motorcycle toy. I will have to take a pic and post it. Would love to see the real thing though.

fretbuzz · 03-06-2008

The ZLs were awesome looking bikes but unfortunately I never had the chance to own one. I've been told and have read that they are fun and fast.

I also think it is hard to find a good one. Good luck.

**ImpactG** · 03-06-2008

I did have a chance to own one... cherry red just like in the pic. Man 'o man, I wish I'd never gotten ride of it. Hold onto your hat (helmet) 'cause she will just spit fire!

Scruffy · 03-08-2008

Major cult classic. I'd like one of each displacement they made.
-Scruffy

MSGAmling · 03-08-2008

Here are the Elsinore pics for Vulcaneyez.

And here is a stock action photo of the bike in action. Believe me, those twin rear shocks never were very good. The '76 Elsinore CR250 was getting chewed up by the YZ's and RM's, with their superior suspension. But, what a killer power band!

stevenbrown_22 · 03-15-2008

There's a zl900 on creglist for $1900, to let you know I have a zl900 and yes it's fast I love my bike,it's my first bike and I know alot about it. the motor is the same motor that is on the 1984 zx900 ninja.If there's anything else you would like know about the zl900 just ask me and I should beable to give you a ressonable answer!

Rick_in_P.A Wa. · 03-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenbrown_22

There's a zl900 on creglist for $1900, to let you know I have a zl900 and yes it's fast I love my bike,it's my first bike and I know alot about it. the motor is the same motor that is on the 1984 zx900 ninja.If there's anything else you would like know about the zl900 just ask me and I should beable to give you a ressonable answer!

Kinda~ same basic engine block but alot of differences. eli doesnt have the chain drive counter balance, ninja has the 34's the eli has 32's carbs..... cams are diff, radiator is bigger on the eli no oil cooler~, the outputshaft will in fact work on the gpz engine and you can in fact remove the driveshaft on the eli and go to a chaindrive set up~, R-1 swingarm and wheel is a hot ticket across the pond.
Where the GPZ has a kick in the pants at 3500rpm the eli has all the power off idle. also a lower redline one being above 10k other below ~never had mine to red-line in any gear~
Dale Walker and HOLESHOT enterprize are your best friends when it comes to the eliminator. Plastic bits on them are GOLD! DO NOT BUY ONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE STOCK AIRBOX!~ "PODS" ARE GOOD BUT MAKE SURE THE AIRBOX IS AVAIL AND SOLD WITH THE BIKE. RARE AND HARD TO FIND ITEM also the chrome sidecovers are hard to come by and dont even start looking for an oem set of pipes/mufflers $$$$$$$$$$$$
GAS TANKS!, will be the first thing you will be asking about changeing. see the post in the vintage section,
the Eli is a pig for fuel in stock trim compaired to many other bikes, and with less than 3 gals of fuel ~stock~ touring on one isnt alot of fun unless stopping is your thing.
Skinny front tire~ the bike will in fact out handle the front rubber and is probly one of the better long wheel bace handlers out here but like I said front rubber isnt there.
not that I am an Eli expert but I have learned a great deal about them in getting mine on the road they are a love it or hate machine they are extreemly picky when it comes to mods done to the air and exhaust systems
mine has been bored and some extras, I am confidant to say its a solid low10 sec machine yet still quite road worthy and docile
the production numbers are not known and the 86 was the last year of the true Eliminator, then they went to the ZL1000 (ZL750 is the holy grail one)
all are avail in every color as long as its black or red, Dale walker told me on the phone that the Eliminator has the best clutch design he has ever seen on a bike and also has one that has some huge ammount of drag strip passes and has not once ever been broken into for repair. ~one of the "school" bikes!
Good luck.

vinnye · 03-27-2008

Hey Steve - have you found the

zl-oa

forum yet?
Didn't recognize your name - but could be different?
Well worth a visit if you have a ZL.

MSGAmling · 03-27-2008

Thanks for all of the great info on the Eliminator. Everyone's posts have been very helpful. Unfortunately, the deal didn't work out and I didn't get the one I had my eye on. It sounds like a very strong straight line machine (as I gathered from some of the posts). Thanks to all you passed on info on these machines, it has been a great read.

stevenbrown_22 · 03-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinnye

Hey Steve - have you found the

zl-oa

forum yet?
Didn't recognize your name - but could be different?
Well worth a visit if you have a ZL.

Hey man thanks for showing me that web site!I tried to start a member ship but it did'nt let me. Ill keep trying, so hope to get to share some things about my zl900 with you and other owners around the would!!

TripleRon · 03-31-2008

Here's my ZL900

BTW it is for sale
Central Illinois

skewterdewd · 03-31-2008

That CR is sweet. Forward-mount shocks were the hot set-up for a short time until Yamaha came out with the crazy monoshock YZ concept. Then Suzuki rolled out the RM 370 and ruined it for everyone. The CR was rockin' fast and bulletproof too. Every kid in my hood wanted one, and on sunday at the local digs the CRs ruled. Solid handling, way faster than the stock Euro bikes, and you could keep them running for more than one moto at a time without being a german rocket scientist. Those were good days.

vinnye · 04-01-2008

Steve, have you managed to get in at zl-oa yet?
It is woth the efoort if you are having problems.

stevenbrown_22 · 04-16-2008

What does PRI stand for on the bottom of my gas switch, on my zl900 elim.?

Rick_in_P.A Wa. · 04-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenbrown_22

What does PRI stand for on the bottom of my gas switch, on my zl900 elim.?

PRI=PRIME, when ithe valve is on this setting fuel flows ALL THE TIME if you have a sticky float things could get ugly if fuel is flowing over night wile parked

vinnye · 04-17-2008

Steve - the PRIME position is only used after carbs have been removed for cleaning etc or have been drained.
The PRIME postion allows fuel to flow WITHOUT a vaccuum being applied to the tap - from the crankcase. So DO NOT FORGET and leave it on this position once you have primed your carbs. As Rick pointed out - this can be really serious if you get a needle valve sticking - fuel will continue to drain through the carb into the cylinder - and could cause a HYDRAULIC lock = BENT VALVES / CON ROD !
It can also leak down into the engine oil - not nice either!

stevenbrown_22 · 04-20-2008

What does it mean when my clutch feels like its slipping, and the RPMs continue to go up until it begins to catch. And then there days I can ride it and get on it and it run perfectly and catch in every gear like nothing rong with it. Sometimes I thank its my clutch is going out but when it runs good and it can run good for weeks until it start to acting up agein. So it make my thank it is something else. Can yall give any answers or edvice? Thanks!!!:

03-02-2008	#1 (permalink)
MSGAmling Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparta, WI Posts: 157	"New" old Bike, and looking for an opinion on a ZL900 The bride layed down the law, and said that my part of the basement was getting too full and something had to go. I sold a Honda '76 CR250 Elsinore and traded a little '80 Yamaha DT100 and Honda XR200 for a sweetheart of a '80 Yamaha DT125 that someone really put a lot of effort into restoring. This little thing runs like it just came off the showroom floor. A slight thaw today made the roads sort of driveable, so a quick 25 mile ride gave me a chance to try it out. Sweet! I'm also looking for an opinion on a '85 Kawasaki ZL900 Eliminator. By getting rid of 3 bikes, and only bringing one back, I figure that I can bring home one more and still abide by the bride's intent. Besides, seeing the KZ 650 and the little DT125 sitting there side by side, they look like they need more company. I'm thinking about picking up a ZL900, but don't know much about them, and can't find much out about them. I've never had a liquid cooled bike before, so this would be a switch for me. What are the good and bad points of the ZL? This isn't the specific bike I'm thinking about, but is the same year and model, but a different color. I understand that the bike was only made for 2 years and was popular in Europe, but I haven't seen or heard much about them around here. __________________ It's better to burn out than to rust '94 VN1500A8 '81 KZ650 CSR '80 Yamaha DT125 '81 KZ440

03-02-2008	#2 (permalink)
gpzrider Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 2,250	Send a PM to Rick in PA Wa http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...#37;2Bwa..html He's big into these bikes and will be able to help. __________________ 93 Yamaha FZR600 70 F5 Bighorn 350

03-03-2008	#3 (permalink)
MSGAmling Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparta, WI Posts: 157	Thanks gpzrider, I sent him an e-mail __________________ It's better to burn out than to rust '94 VN1500A8 '81 KZ650 CSR '80 Yamaha DT125 '81 KZ440

03-06-2008	#5 (permalink)
fretbuzz Non Omnis Moriar BTK Expert Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heart o' Texas Posts: 7,787	The ZLs were awesome looking bikes but unfortunately I never had the chance to own one. I've been told and have read that they are fun and fast. I also think it is hard to find a good one. Good luck. __________________ I'd rather you offend me with the truth than appease me with a lie.

03-06-2008	#6 (permalink)
ImpactG Perpetual Motion Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 6,642	I did have a chance to own one... cherry red just like in the pic. Man 'o man, I wish I'd never gotten ride of it. Hold onto your hat (helmet) 'cause she will just spit fire! __________________ ImpactG 2004 V2K ---------------- Proud member of Julie's Avatar Cleavage Club (JACC#3)

03-08-2008	#7 (permalink)
Scruffy Scooter Trash! BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Buckley Wa USA Posts: 2,365	Major cult classic. I'd like one of each displacement they made. -Scruffy __________________ Eagle Scout. Veteran. Patriot Guard Rider. 1950s style Savage barhopper 1950s style VN800B bagger

03-08-2008	#8 (permalink)
MSGAmling Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparta, WI Posts: 157	Here are the Elsinore pics for Vulcaneyez. And here is a stock action photo of the bike in action. Believe me, those twin rear shocks never were very good. The '76 Elsinore CR250 was getting chewed up by the YZ's and RM's, with their superior suspension. But, what a killer power band! __________________ It's better to burn out than to rust '94 VN1500A8 '81 KZ650 CSR '80 Yamaha DT125 '81 KZ440 Last edited by MSGAmling : 03-08-2008 at 07:53 PM. Reason: Spelling correction

03-15-2008	#9 (permalink)
stevenbrown_22 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 5	There's a zl900 on creglist for $1900, to let you know I have a zl900 and yes it's fast I love my bike,it's my first bike and I know alot about it. the motor is the same motor that is on the 1984 zx900 ninja.If there's anything else you would like know about the zl900 just ask me and I should beable to give you a ressonable answer! Last edited by stevenbrown_22 : 03-15-2008 at 02:10 AM.

03-27-2008	#11 (permalink)
vinnye Cruising In Fourth Gear BTK Intermediate Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 208	Hey Steve - have you found the zl-oa forum yet? Didn't recognize your name - but could be different? Well worth a visit if you have a ZL.

03-27-2008	#12 (permalink)
MSGAmling Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparta, WI Posts: 157	Thanks for all of the great info on the Eliminator. Everyone's posts have been very helpful. Unfortunately, the deal didn't work out and I didn't get the one I had my eye on. It sounds like a very strong straight line machine (as I gathered from some of the posts). Thanks to all you passed on info on these machines, it has been a great read. __________________ It's better to burn out than to rust '94 VN1500A8 '81 KZ650 CSR '80 Yamaha DT125 '81 KZ440

03-31-2008	#14 (permalink)
TripleRon Still On The Kickstand Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 31	Zl900 Here's my ZL900 BTW it is for sale Central Illinois

03-31-2008	#15 (permalink)
skewterdewd frequently disturbs class BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 2,147	That CR is sweet. Forward-mount shocks were the hot set-up for a short time until Yamaha came out with the crazy monoshock YZ concept. Then Suzuki rolled out the RM 370 and ruined it for everyone. The CR was rockin' fast and bulletproof too. Every kid in my hood wanted one, and on sunday at the local digs the CRs ruled. Solid handling, way faster than the stock Euro bikes, and you could keep them running for more than one moto at a time without being a german rocket scientist. Those were good days. __________________ They all do that.

04-01-2008	#16 (permalink)
vinnye Cruising In Fourth Gear BTK Intermediate Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 208	Steve, have you managed to get in at zl-oa yet? It is woth the efoort if you are having problems.

04-16-2008	#17 (permalink)
stevenbrown_22 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 5	What does PRI stand for on the bottom of my gas switch, on my zl900 elim.?

04-17-2008	#19 (permalink)
vinnye Cruising In Fourth Gear BTK Intermediate Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 208	Steve - the PRIME position is only used after carbs have been removed for cleaning etc or have been drained. The PRIME postion allows fuel to flow WITHOUT a vaccuum being applied to the tap - from the crankcase. So DO NOT FORGET and leave it on this position once you have primed your carbs. As Rick pointed out - this can be really serious if you get a needle valve sticking - fuel will continue to drain through the carb into the cylinder - and could cause a HYDRAULIC lock = BENT VALVES / CON ROD ! It can also leak down into the engine oil - not nice either!

04-20-2008	#20 (permalink)
stevenbrown_22 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 5	What does it mean when my clutch feels like its slipping, and the RPMs continue to go up until it begins to catch. And then there days I can ride it and get on it and it run perfectly and catch in every gear like nothing rong with it. Sometimes I thank its my clutch is going out but when it runs good and it can run good for weeks until it start to acting up agein. So it make my thank it is something else. Can yall give any answers or edvice? Thanks!!!:

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