New Member, Kelowna BC, 81 B1 GPz1100

Hi!

New member with an ‘81 B1 GPz1100 that’s a bit rough around the edges, but runs.  Burns a bit of oil as it runs, visibly that is.  

it’s been dressed as an ELR, with the worlds worst orange peel. Instrument cluster was immersed in RTV and a mess.  Brakes had seals for another bike put on, and pissing fluid. Petcock pissing fuel. Headlight missing parts. Controls cracked and broken. Wrong bars and controls hitting the tank.  V&H exhaust. Just some of what comes to mind. EFI is long gone. 

it’s a slow project, and so far I have:

- changed the cluster to an 82 Gpz style, allowing the elr style fairing to fit better
- correct brake seals and front master seals, so they have stopped peeing
- found enough bits to fix the controls
- put on the appropriate height bars so the controls stay fixed
- added correct headlight bracket

Much much more to be done! But I can see this will be a labour of love. I remember seeing the B1 new in the showroom and loved everything but the cluster. Then I saw the ELR. Wow!

At the time I was riding H1’s and H2’s so not ready to go four stroke, but always loved the big Zeds! 

But here we are!

I’m looking forward to making this bike much happier and already thankful to all those that have posted such great info! It’s gonna be a slow journey as I have other bikes to ride, but a fun one, I’m sure!

oh, and me….originally a Toronto boy, I’ve been in the electronics industry for over 40 years and worked on my own Kawasaki’s (and other brands) starting in 1975 as a young teen. Hey, once you’re bit…. 😎

jaak       

Welcome to the forum! Great pictures! 

Welcome from the UK, looks like it has potential

Looks nice!

Nice job keeping this motorcycle going! Nice also to see the little bits of the original B1 still attached...i.e. the seat (B1 seat covers can be difficult to source) and the original B1 mirrors...those are getting rare.

 

Thanks!

recently got something that makes me happy…. 

Mcdroid wrote:

Nice job keeping this motorcycle going! Nice also to see the little bits of the original B1 still attached...i.e. the seat (B1 seat covers can be difficult to source) and the original B1 mirrors...those are getting rare.

Yes I’m surprised how good the seat is!

I was wondering if the mirrors were original, or just a period correct look to them…

You are not far from me!  I live in Chase.  You may be interested in checking out this forum...there are a few people from Vernon/Kelowna on it.  BRITISH COLUMBIA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB

hardrockminer wrote:

You are not far from me!  I live in Chase.  You may be interested in checking out this forum...there are a few people from Vernon/Kelowna on it.  BRITISH COLUMBIA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB

Not far from my favourite motorcycle museum! I want him to do something with that H1 he has…

For sure I will check out the club… 😎

We visit the museum often.  They have great pie!  Mark is interesting to talk to but very busy now that fires and covid aren't shutting him down.  I will have to go look at his H1.

I had some buddies drop in to town and took them there, a couple years back.  Timing was perfect and Mark gave us a tour of everything.  We were stoked!! 

the H1 is a 70 or 71 I believe and he hasn't gotten to it.  

I had a 70, 71, and 72 at the same time as well as a 72 and 75 H2. Miss them all! 

   

The fixed controls.   When I got it (as per the pics above) the horn button had something else hacked in to place and the right side controls had metal and epoxy try to hold the shattered bits together.  

Was nice to get that sorted!