KZ Relay Ride GOTO http://VintageKawasakiRelay.com

  • Gary - K7GLD
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05 Jul 2013 22:00 #595224 by Gary - K7GLD
Replied by Gary - K7GLD on topic KZ Relay Ride GOTO http://VintageKawasakiRelay.com

toolmaker wrote: Well, this IS a form of slow torture for us riders out west...... :dry:


YUP, it all started as a ride-for-pride using 30 year old bikes, but starting to look more like a 30-year-ride just to get the flag from east to west. I was 75 years old when this started, now 76 - and wondering if I'll still be alive by the time the flag gets here to eastern Oregon, I had planned a news article in the local paper, but as long as this is taking, pretty much ashamed to mention it to the local editor...

Odds looking poorer all the time for a finish this year - we missed the best bet by not doing this as a ride from both coasts simultaneously, meeting somewhere mid-continent.

We'd be done by now...

John Day area - Eastern Oregon
Restored 1983 Kawasaki 1100LTD

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05 Jul 2013 22:22 - 05 Jul 2013 22:56 #595227 by trianglelaguna
Replied by trianglelaguna on topic KZ Relay Ride GOTO http://VintageKawasakiRelay.com
decent idea and worthy of merit if there is interest in a yearly ride or follow up ride armed with the lessons of this ride...a yearly from both coasts in is not a bad idea at all and could be knocked out in the summer months....

1976 KZ900
2003 ZX12R
2007 FZ1000
2004 ninja 250R for wife
Last edit: 05 Jul 2013 22:56 by trianglelaguna.

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05 Jul 2013 22:25 #595229 by Forrest

Gary - K7GLD wrote:

toolmaker wrote: Well, this IS a form of slow torture for us riders out west...... :dry:


YUP, it all started as a ride-for-pride using 30 year old bikes, but starting to look more like a 30-year-ride just to get the flag from east to west. I was 75 years old when this started, now 76 - and wondering if I'll still be alive by the time the flag gets here to eastern Oregon, I had planned a news article in the local paper, but as long as this is taking, pretty much ashamed to mention it to the local editor...

Odds looking poorer all the time for a finish this year - we missed the best bet by not doing this as a ride from both coasts simultaneously, meeting somewhere mid-continent.

We'd be done by now...


Hey Gary, You willing to ride this weekend? I can make it out to Denver or even further west. I think that I could go as far as Jackson Hole, WY or Salt Lake City, UT before I need to turn around. Just a thought if you are from Eastern Oregon it may not be too far of a stretch for someone such as yourself to come and get the Flag. I also sent you and several others a PM with my phone number. But here it is again... 630-391-1787.

KZ RIDER RELAY FLAG CARRIER #55
1977 KZ650B Ready & Fit to Roll Anywhere!
1974 F7 175 -first bike and still own, full resto soon!
2002 ZRX1200R -Red the faster color
2011 Concours 14 -Now a Snarling Wolf in Sheep's Clothing!

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05 Jul 2013 22:30 - 05 Jul 2013 22:32 #595231 by Gary - K7GLD
Replied by Gary - K7GLD on topic KZ Relay Ride GOTO http://VintageKawasakiRelay.com

trianglelaguna wrote: decent idea and worthy of merit if their is interest in a yearly ride or follow up ride armed with the lessons of this ride...a yearly from both coasts in is not a bad idea at all and could be knocked out in the summer months....


WELL, in all fairness, covering all continental states and Canada WAS a bit ambitious, and likely exuberance won out over reality, as far as time was concerned - shucks, it took the covered wagons less time from Missouri to Oregon...

SO, we proudly tell some friend or acquaintance about our ride, and HE sez, "it took HOW long!!!" :ohmy: :laugh:

John Day area - Eastern Oregon
Restored 1983 Kawasaki 1100LTD
Last edit: 05 Jul 2013 22:32 by Gary - K7GLD.
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05 Jul 2013 22:35 - 05 Jul 2013 22:38 #595232 by Gary - K7GLD
Replied by Gary - K7GLD on topic KZ Relay Ride GOTO http://VintageKawasakiRelay.com

Forrest wrote:

Gary - K7GLD wrote:

toolmaker wrote: Well, this IS a form of slow torture for us riders out west...... :dry:


YUP, it all started as a ride-for-pride using 30 year old bikes, but starting to look more like a 30-year-ride just to get the flag from east to west. I was 75 years old when this started, now 76 - and wondering if I'll still be alive by the time the flag gets here to eastern Oregon, I had planned a news article in the local paper, but as long as this is taking, pretty much ashamed to mention it to the local editor...

Odds looking poorer all the time for a finish this year - we missed the best bet by not doing this as a ride from both coasts simultaneously, meeting somewhere mid-continent.

We'd be done by now...


Hey Gary, You willing to ride this weekend? I can make it out to Denver or even further west. I think that I could go as far as Jackson Hole, WY or Salt Lake City, UT before I need to turn around. Just a thought if you are from Eastern Oregon it may not be too far of a stretch for someone such as yourself to come and get the Flag. I also sent you and several others a PM with my phone number. But here it is again... 630-391-1787.


SHUCKS, at my age, I'll be doing good to get from here in John Day over to Bend area, let alone a couple of states! ;)

But I admire your determination and dedication - I coulda done it back 30-40 years ago...

John Day area - Eastern Oregon
Restored 1983 Kawasaki 1100LTD
Last edit: 05 Jul 2013 22:38 by Gary - K7GLD.
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05 Jul 2013 22:49 #595235 by Forrest

Gary - K7GLD wrote:

Forrest wrote:

Gary - K7GLD wrote:

toolmaker wrote: Well, this IS a form of slow torture for us riders out west...... :dry:


YUP, it all started as a ride-for-pride using 30 year old bikes, but starting to look more like a 30-year-ride just to get the flag from east to west. I was 75 years old when this started, now 76 - and wondering if I'll still be alive by the time the flag gets here to eastern Oregon, I had planned a news article in the local paper, but as long as this is taking, pretty much ashamed to mention it to the local editor...

Odds looking poorer all the time for a finish this year - we missed the best bet by not doing this as a ride from both coasts simultaneously, meeting somewhere mid-continent.

We'd be done by now...


Hey Gary, You willing to ride this weekend? I can make it out to Denver or even further west. I think that I could go as far as Jackson Hole, WY or Salt Lake City, UT before I need to turn around. Just a thought if you are from Eastern Oregon it may not be too far of a stretch for someone such as yourself to come and get the Flag. I also sent you and several others a PM with my phone number. But here it is again... 630-391-1787.


SHUCKS, at my age, I'll be doing good to get from here in John Day over to Bend area, let alone a couple of states! ;)

But I admire your determination and dedication - I coulda done it back 30-40 years ago...


I can appreciate what you say. I did not notice your age til I had posted. If you know of someone else that could come over. From John Day, OR it is approx 550 miles to Jackson Hole, WY or 525 miles to Salt Lake City, UT. Do you have a son or grandson who rides and you would entrust on your beautiful KZ? You could then ride a shorter portion of the next leg.

KZ RIDER RELAY FLAG CARRIER #55
1977 KZ650B Ready & Fit to Roll Anywhere!
1974 F7 175 -first bike and still own, full resto soon!
2002 ZRX1200R -Red the faster color
2011 Concours 14 -Now a Snarling Wolf in Sheep's Clothing!

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06 Jul 2013 11:53 - 06 Jul 2013 11:54 #595274 by toolmaker
Yeah, back in '77 I rode Miami to Portland and back in 2 weeks - 8,000 miles......can't do that anymore lol :woohoo:

I live near Portland, Oregon and my rider is a '76 KZ900 I bought new. I'm also in the process of restoring another one and a '73 Z1.
Last edit: 06 Jul 2013 11:54 by toolmaker. Reason: added information

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09 Jul 2013 19:45 #595735 by Forrest

toolmaker wrote: Yeah, back in '77 I rode Miami to Portland and back in 2 weeks - 8,000 miles......can't do that anymore lol :woohoo:


Yup, 77 was a good year. ;)

I do however still love to ride. Just Yesterday, I stepped back off the bike after riding 905 miles round trip from my house into Chicago, down to Logan, OH and back home. Total time start to finish was 20 1/2 hours. Tom W. was on his way to a Voyager Rally. SaxJonz and I accompanied him. Sax peeled off early to visit a family member in Ft. Wayne, IN. I stayed with Tom to the Rally Point in Logan. Got myself some dinner and headed back. It was a long day in the saddle for sure. My point is I think I can do the miles to move the flag if needed. Who in the N.W. or Rocky Mountain States is willing to ride and receive the flag? That is the real question here.

KZ RIDER RELAY FLAG CARRIER #55
1977 KZ650B Ready & Fit to Roll Anywhere!
1974 F7 175 -first bike and still own, full resto soon!
2002 ZRX1200R -Red the faster color
2011 Concours 14 -Now a Snarling Wolf in Sheep's Clothing!

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10 Jul 2013 19:26 #595877 by grantorinobro
Replied by grantorinobro on topic KZ Relay Ride GOTO http://VintageKawasakiRelay.com
I am convinced that Forrest can make it happen. I have complete faith that the flag will move soon. I just wish my GPz had carried the flag. I am tempted to quit my job and ride out for glory to carry the flag again. I always dream of doing the ride across the USA. The midwest states are hard riding. Long straight roads. That is where the big bikes rule. Has it really been to 36 states? The 14 left will be the hardest. Those are the guys with stones in their sacks. This is America and those guys are out there, they just need to be found. I believe that if the "lower" 48 plus canada and mexico are accomplished then it is mission accomplished. AK and HI are attainable only for the rich, retired, or truly crazy KZ Riders. Well, most people would say we are all crazy for riding them darn things. Never forget that most of the great discoveries came from people labeled crazy. On a lighter note, when I am in my 4 wheeled vehicle and I see a pedal biker, I say to myself, "pedal forrest pedal", But right now I am saying "RIDE FORREST RIDE!" You can do it!

1982 GPZ 550 piped and jetted, stupidly loud at 10k rpm
1982 GPZ 550 resurrection in progress, eta April 2014, stock form for discretionary quiet time
1991 ZX11 parted out, this one carried the flag 300+ miles, unfortunately wiring harness melted and parting out was the only option, she was great
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10 Jul 2013 19:31 #595878 by Killman
Never say never, GTB. If some sunny day in 2015 that flag makes it's way up here finally, I might just whip it up to Alaska for you boys. Be kinda fitting for a Canuck to nail that last State for you all. :laugh:

1983 kz440 ltd
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10 Jul 2013 20:43 #595888 by grantorinobro
Replied by grantorinobro on topic KZ Relay Ride GOTO http://VintageKawasakiRelay.com
Eh!

1982 GPZ 550 piped and jetted, stupidly loud at 10k rpm
1982 GPZ 550 resurrection in progress, eta April 2014, stock form for discretionary quiet time
1991 ZX11 parted out, this one carried the flag 300+ miles, unfortunately wiring harness melted and parting out was the only option, she was great

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10 Jul 2013 22:54 #595916 by Forrest
Hey, I really appreciate the good humor going on here. :lol: This whole relay thing should be fun and a great experience for all involved. I am digging this.

It would be great to move the flag and even hit all Canadian provinces. That would be worth another year on the road. It is the North American KZ Relay after all! :P It would even be awesome to go to Canada and even Hawaii!

I should clarify that the 905 miles I completed a couple of days ago were on a 2011 Concours 14. I will say that I accompanied Tom on his 1992 Voyager XII on the downhill leg. I did make the return leg solo and averaged 10 mph faster. The leg with Tom would be closer to my pace on the KZ. If I was still not a working stiff and had more free time. I would just run this flag out to the Left Coast. :evil:

KZ RIDER RELAY FLAG CARRIER #55
1977 KZ650B Ready & Fit to Roll Anywhere!
1974 F7 175 -first bike and still own, full resto soon!
2002 ZRX1200R -Red the faster color
2011 Concours 14 -Now a Snarling Wolf in Sheep's Clothing!

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