Zed leans into the Wind

I took a few snaps of the Zed today, partly because I just fitted some new clip-ons, and partly because she got a wash, plus a coating of ACF-50, so within a week she’ll be covered in a protective layer of London street-grime, which is great for warding-off corrosion, but will make her look like a dirty old rat bike within a week, so best to get a nice pic or two while I can.

I think I like the scratched-up top yoke even more than the shiny new bits…

I also swapped a few corroded bolts over, fitted some new levers, and messed about with a few other details – but I can;t make her too pretty or I’ll need another rain bike!

Here’s a snap (below) taken by Damian McFadden (EXIF & UMC snapper) on the day I picked it up from Victory/Untitled MC. It’s amazing how a pro snapper can make an old lag riding an old dog look almost cool. Thanks fella!

…You can see the original drop bars, high speedo and low headlight position here… I definitely prefer the new lower stance shown in the latest pics. It’s more aggressive, better for turning and there’s more room between the grips and the tank.

So, where do I put the ignition key again?

The bike is also now featured on BikeEXIF. Check out the pics by Damian McFadden and the rest of the story at www.bikeexif.com.

17 Comments

Gary Sideburn
05/05/2012
Lovely.
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Gareth
06/05/2012
Rode a few rainy north london lights beside this beautiful beast the other day. Sounds as right as it looks. Great bike & site mate. G
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- Dutch
  07/05/2012
  Hey Gareth. We’re you the guy on the Duc Multi who said hi? …Welcome to the Shed.
  Reply
Gareth
08/05/2012
Yeah that’s me, its a very tatty 01 750 sport, I love it but it hates me for the neglect it suffers. It dreams of shedding its plastics to become a cafe. One day… Thanks for the welcome.
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- Dutch
  08/05/2012
  You could take it to Tim & Kev at Spirit and they’ll make it pretty…
  Reply
  - Gareth
    09/05/2012
    When that big job offer comes in I am there with an open cheque book. Love their bikes, that exif bonnie is gorgeous. But until that day I will continue scrabbling around ebay planning the budget build. Whats the cheap instrumentation advice? Motogadget is a pipedream!
    Reply
    - Dutch
      16/05/2012
      Tim and Kev do have a Moto Gadget alternative, which was hard work to install – and needs silicon sealant in cold and wet Britain – but much cheaper. I must remember to ask them what, and where from…
      Reply
Chris Saddler Sam (SakeRacer)
18/05/2012
lovely indeed!!
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tan
26/05/2012
Hello! how is the handling with the small bars? isn’t it to tight to handel this pretty heavy model?
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- Dutch
  29/05/2012
  Handling is good. With clip-ons you lean over the front wheel more, so you have more weight and control over the front wheel, and turning is easy and feels very direct. It also helps with weight distribution in corners.
  Reply
Jonathan
29/05/2012
Absolutely love this bike. I’m currently building a cafe/brat out of an ’81 kz440, been looking for inspiration. I just found it.

LOVE the seat; that’s exactly what I want. Did you have it custom made, did you make it yourself, or did you just buy it somewhere?
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- Dutch
  30/05/2012
  Hi Jonathan, Thanks. The seat was made by Glenn Moger at Redmax Speedshop (speak with Steve Hillary). I sent them a cardboard template in 3D, complete with sides, mid-point bend, and instructions for the rise to the tank and the shape of the curve at the rear, plus some photos of seats I liked (and some I didn’t) and it came back a perfect fit in just ten days. Great price great service, great guys.
  Reply
Justin
06/09/2012
I purchased a 77 Kz1000 and can’t wait to get it looking like that beauty!
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- Dutch
  06/09/2012
  It’s all pretty easy compared to most custom jobs, the main hassle is removing and replacing one of the cross braces in the subframe to accommodate a flat seat, and then tucking the electrics up into a little box… Or replace the side panels with flat triangles of metal. Good luck and send us pics when you’re done.
  Reply
Ramon
24/09/2012
the bike is very cool and so is the jacket Dutch is wearing, someone maybe knows what brand/model it is?
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- Dutch
  25/09/2012
  It’s from FireTrap. Not a proper bike jacket, but good thick leather.
  Reply
ramon
25/09/2012
thanks!
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