PS readers’ Z specials
Owners of Zeds often build, and enjoy their bikes in more diverse ways than most. We invited five readers to show The PS their variations on a trusted theme
Dndividuality, self-expression and non-conformity flourished in the 1970s. Whether it was clothes, music or interior décor (avocado bathroom suite, anyone?), the somewhat monochrome word of postwar-Europe gave way to brighter, more daring tastes influenced somewhat by the more buoyant, cash-rich and ostentatious USA.
Brit bikes were often beautiful, but usually understated. Take the 1969 Bonneville – one of the prettiest bikes ever built, but it’s really about the best execution of typical ideas of the time rather than anything new. The most popular colour was old-man’s cardie burgundy: tells you everything.
The rise of the Japanese superbike was timed well for many reasons: influences on the style from both home and the geographically-closer US market played into their hands. Few pulled off daring innovation quite like Kawasaki: big chromed quad exhausts (CB750 notwithstanding), metallic paint over a bodykit with a fresher vibe than the functional Brit iron got our attention. But that was only the start…
As well as tuning for power (see p64 for more on the guts of these things), the modifying scene for Zeds quickly grew as people reinterpreted the bike in many different ways. Race rep, street special, turbo, hardtails even… A strong motor with an attractive set of cases is a good start no matter what you do.
And we’re still at it: enjoy the efforts of these five readers, and their six bikes, at an airfield location. I was supposed to test them, too: but a bout of food-poisoning kept me out of my leathers and closer to sanitation facilities, most unfortunately…
THE PRODDIE RACER TRIBUTE
Don Potter’s US-import is frame number 265 of the 1972 batch. Not the earliest out there, but notable nonetheless, and certainly an earlier bike than the UK models, which didn’t arrive until 1973.
It has also been on the receiving end of a Greg Walker restoration: for those of us that aren’t immersed in Zed culture, the specialist out of California is recognised as an authority, in both terms of knowledge, and the calibre of his restos. It’s a good ‘un – 20 years on it still looks this good. Nothing is repro, it’s all KHI parts refurbed correctly. Not that some people will be told.
“I keep getting told how it’s the wrong colour,” Don says, rolling his eyes. “But th
