Triumphrat

crambuster · 03-25-2007

Hi all!
I am thinking of getting a Kawa 750 zephyr 1992 75000km.
This will be a sort of lerning mechanics project...
Do any of you know any thing about this bike or have you ever had one?
Might turn it into a cafe racer or something else...or sell it later.
The bike has been standing still for two years...what should i look for or what problems could i have????
I would of liked to find a cheap triumph but here it's not easy....
My trident will be back on the road soon ....have not got back on the bike since the crash last summer...

welshrob · 03-25-2007

I`ve owned a few GT750`s and 550`s which is the shaft drive version of the zephyr. The Motor`s are virtually unbreakable but are very mechanically noisy so don`t worry too much if it rattles a bit. Camchain and primary chain rattle is common. If it`s like the GT then the motor should have a designation ie G4, G5, etc. The later G7 ones are the best, not sure what a 92 model would be. The carbs on the earlier models aren`t great and it can be difficult to get a smooth tickover if they`re worn. They were a good bike in 1992 but are pretty average now. I hope it`s very cheap.

crambuster · 03-25-2007

Thanks for the info as for the price of the bike well 500 swiss francs very cheap..what this is in us dollars or sterling i do not know.

doodledog · 03-25-2007

Do not attempt to start it without turning it over and draining/changing the oil, it will be contaminated to heck and full of water from condensation, clean out the tank for fresh fuel and swill out the carbs, take out the plugs and turn her over after the oil cange when your happy and all old fluids are gone give it a go at starting, I know its only been stood for two years but stuff goes bad.

bovefrankj · 03-25-2007

A very popular bike in it's day but you don't see many around now. Those you do see tend to be mint.

mdgore · 03-25-2007

I went for the Suzuki GSX-1100G. The mighty shaft driven beast of doom!!!! I think the Zehpyr and the G were the fore runners to the sport touring segment, if you can call a 600+ lb motorcycle sport anything. I really liked that bike and regret selling it. The a$$hat I sold it to totally ruined it. arg........................

Sprint1050DA · 03-25-2007

I wouldn't say that they were the forerunners of the sport-touring segment. Both of those bikes were in some ways the last gasp for the UJM. I like the Zephyr quite a lot. Almost bought one about 3 years ago, but didn't have the funds.

stevent · 03-25-2007

Never owned a Zephyr, however I owned two air cooled 750 Kawi's, a KZ 750 and a GPZ750 and they are indeed "sturdy". If you look up the definition of "bulletproof" in the dictionary it shows a 750 Kaw. Not much a reasonable person can do to screw one up short of running it out of oil for a few thousand miles.

:upthumb:

crambuster · 04-02-2007

The bike only has 35000km on the clock.....
I think i am going to have fun twiddling with this bike.... :hammer: :-D

Motley · 04-02-2007

You might like to take a look HERE, lots of good info on older bikes.