A fun ride, 125 miles, in green, green, green country

Very nice.  Is that a power station, with three stacks?

biltonjim wrote:

Very nice.  Is that a power station, with three stacks?
 

This is Morro Bay power plant, built and formerly owned by Pacific Gas and Electric company. It's now shutdown due to, ahem, California 'green policies'. There has been discussion about turning this into a battery plant, but after the battery plant about 150 miles away, had a mass fire local resistance is high.

If you ever have a chance, get over to the Central California Coast to get some really good riding!

Thanks for your reply, Don.
Ah, the ‘green’ agenda - it is resulting in some bizarre governmental decisions here in Britain too,

You have a CBX, and - I believe - other motorcycles, but as a long standing owner of a KZ1300, you seem to have a deep affection for that machine. Your perseverance in overcoming many technical issues in the last two years, and your acquisition of another two 1300’s confirms that.

biltonjim wrote:

Thanks for your reply, Don.
Ah, the ‘green’ agenda - it is resulting in some bizarre governmental decisions here in Britain too,

You have a CBX, and - I believe - other motorcycles, but as a long standing owner of a KZ1300, you seem to have a deep affection for that machine. Your perseverance in overcoming many technical issues in the last two years, and your acquisition of another two 1300’s confirms that.
 

True. and Thank You for the kind reply. I have a gaggle of eclectic bikes, and most of them have family or friend history. The standing joke among family and friends is don't die or I'll get your bike..

The 79 A1 was purchased new from Redondo Beach Kawi. I took a loan from a local bank... can't believe they lent me the money. A meager job, a young kid. It was EVERYTHING I had, and I remember not eating well so I could make the monthly payment.

On the ride today, one of the guys said "I can't believe you would ride that bike here today."

I just smiled and replied "I have been waiting 46 years for this bike to be good. Today is that day."

It never ran right from day one. 1 quart of oil every 200 miles. Plugs oil fouling. Always carried at least 12 new sparklies on longer riders. Learned to change plugs 3 and 4 with tank on, engine hot. Have the scars to prove it..

And yet Kawasaki said oil consumption was 'within parameters' and refused warranty work.

Back in the day, the thought was out of round cylinders. Now we know, as proven by KawBoy, the problem was insufficient oil return to the sump from cylinder walls.. and that drilling holes below the oil scraper ring allows that path, thus not making the oil scraper rings try to perform miracles.

So many memories on this bike.. Death Valley rides low on fuel with a full moon, girl friends, then ex-wives, then bike neglect, followed by a rebuild by master mechanic Ray Slocomb, then Ray dies..

Then the long process of me trying to up my wrenching skills, sometimes doing good, sometimes failing miserably.. to 'sort' the bike into a 'runner'.

And then, today.

She's not perfect, but she runs better today than she EVER has.

Sorry for the long response, but I've been celebrating with a cocktail or two, thinking of what a long strange trip this ride has been, and

Feeling Grateful.