One of my friends here in Vernal rides a fairly unique machine. A Z750S. It’s not the biggest, or the fastest of machines. It’s not the coolest either. But it does just about everything. It is fast. It seems to handle well. And it cruises just fine. That’s what I like about it…. Versatility.
This one is M’s.
When I still had my Magna, I was allowed to put the kickstand up on it. The bike was fun and ran well. It reminded me of a Cafe Racer in it’s configuration. No wind protection and fairly aggressive riding position, especially compared my Magna. I liked it. It didn’t help me at all to avoid a Sports Bike bug. Kind of underpowered below 6,000 RPM, but once you get into the powerband… it’s all there.
Now, M’s machine has been modified. He’s moved his pegs, changed things around, and has improved wind protection by installing a Vetter Windjammer. It looks strange, I’ll have to say. And he will be the first to say so himself. But it works.
This photo was taken in Rangely Colorado. An hour’s drive from Vernal… but we made it a lot quicker. The Z750S, dubbed “The Enterprise” due to the bikes overall shape with the Vetter, had no problem cruising at 120 mph even on less than perfect rural roads. A testament to the Z750S suspension.
Engine Type: 4-Stroke, Liquid-Cooled, DOHC, 4 Valve Cylinder Head, Transverse In-Line, 4-Cylinder
Displacement: 748 cc
Bore & Stroke: 68.4 x 50.9 mm
Maximum Horsepower:110hp @11,000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 55.0 lb-ft @ 8,200 rpm
Compression Ratio: 11.5:1
Fuel Injection: DFI with Keihin 34mm Throttle Bodies (4)
Transmission: 6-Speed
Final Drive: O-Ring Chain
Rake/Trail: 24.5°/4.1 in.
Front Wheel Travel: 4.7 in.
Rear Wheel Travel: 5.0 in.
Front Tire Size: 120/70-17
Rear Tire Size: 180/55-17
Wheelbase: 56.1 in.
Front Suspension: 41mm Hydraulic Telescopic Fork
Rear Suspension: Uni-Trak with 7-Way Preload,
4-Way Rebound Damping Adjustment
Front Brake Type: Dual 300mm Disc with 2-Piston Caliper
Rear Brake Type: Single 220mm Disc
Fuel Tank Capacity: 4.8 gal.
Seat Height: 32.1 in.
Dry Weight: 430 lb.
Color: Metallic Spark Black
It is unique in the sense that the Z750s was imported for only two years, ’05 and ’06. Very few were sold stateside. It was supposed to be the new UJM. The “do-it-all”, the all bikes (sans off road) in one. If you want a sports tourer, here it is. If you want a first bike, here it is (and you won’t grow out of it your first year). Track bike, sure with limitations.
For me it has been great. It has been the sports tourer/commuter. The Cafe racer project that went unfinished and the light touring bike (yet again unfinished as of now). It has been my first bike and my test mule for goofy thoughts.
The suspension has been modified (ZX6R rear shock and Race tech emmulators in the forks). The engine has had parts and pieces installed and removed.
The best thing about it is that it has been flogged,…HARD. It keeps running. It has never seen a dealer for a problem since it left the show room. Change this, change that. Redline here on a cold engine, put away wet. Maintinance? Sure, when it was new. I keep up with the chain maintenance and brakes, but that is about it. Adjust the valves? Yup, it NEEDs that because it has never been done on this engine. This bike really shouldn’t be running. It has about 40k miles and six years of abuse. It still starts up right away every time. It is like a puppy that keeps getting shoved away, but keeps comming back for more swats on the nose.
Sure it is ugly. I have done goofy things to it. But dispite all that, I love it and it loves me. We are pals. It will be replaces by a bigger, badder machine one day. It won’t be the same as my first bike though.
Which is why you should never get rid of it….
but finish the Cafe project.
Then it will live forever.
That is what the wife says.