Only had one temporarily as a get me by and was amazed at what fun it was, light, agile, punchy and a joy handling as well as a lovely looking bike, if they retro made a modern version I'd be tempted.
Owed this motorcycle brand new from dealership. Only had a electrical ignition control module problem, which I replaced myself. I had this bike toped out at over a hundred miles an hour on my freeway between toll gates. The only thing that bothered me was the drive belt squeak if it wasn't kept clean. Other than that, no problems, loved that bike, traded for a larger bike.🏁🏁
Awesome little bike. Kawasaki used belt drive back in the day. Why the stopped I have no idea. It is so much more owner friendly than a chain. Much longer life and cleaner. Lighter and less complicated than shaft drive.
That was my first bike ever bought new in 1991! I had no idea on how to shift gears and ride! The salesman gave me a quick overview and off i went. Im surprised that I even made it home! Practice made perfect. The following year I was on a Suzuki 750 Katana. Ive never looked back! Im 61 now and riding a Honda CBR1000 RR Fireblade. Next year ill be trading in for a Kawasaki Z900RS. Im so looking forward to it!
Hi there - thanks for your comment! You made me think back to when I first rode a geared bike, it just made no sense...what I have to click up and down? Eh?! And now here we are years later and it's second nature :)
Cycle world 1983 reviewed the 1983 GPz 305 and gave it rave reviews and even explained the fix to the original jetting issues due to satisfying EPA regulations
Mine use to cut off at 8000rpm due to a faulty side stand safety switch. Took Kawasaki 8 weeks to figure it out. Their solution at the time- disconnect the switch. I’ve fond memories of it all the same. If memory serves it was an ‘85 built for NA market model. Truly a great bike!
Your bike is in fantastic condition. I'd say kept inside all its life. I had a 1983 GPz 305 in 1987 in the states to commute to school. I was 15. I have bought three. two are for parts and one to restore if I ever get to it. Lol. I enjoyed your video
FINALLY, a really good overview of the 305, AND, it's just like mine! The main reason for so many of these bikes blowing up is like many older bikes they need looking after. The 305s were regularly bought and used by new riders and abused. They now lend themselves as a modern classic thus if looked after and serviced will stand the test of time (I hope) 🤣 Well done :D
Also a reason for their demise was the plastic drive gear they used for the oil pump drive failed often and a tiny oil pickup gauze that often clogged.
nice find in lovely condition....and rides well by the look of it change the oil and filter regularly with quality stuff and enjoy the miles isnt there a secondary filter behind the oil pump that can get clogged up? and has anyone yet reproduced the infamous plastic oil pump cog which failed on these engines in a more durable material i wonder?
Gpz305 is a good bike. Just sold my bmw 850 and bought a cbf 500 for the same reason fuel cost on the commute. Not all bikers can afford 10k bikes. Good video.
Thanks Andy. Yeah fuel costs are a big concern these days. The Enfield 650 will become my ‘sunny weekends’ ride and the GPZ my super cheap ride to work!
I had one for a couple of years back in he 90's. Loads or reliability issues with carbs and kept snapping belts every 10k or less. Oil leaks galore. A bad bike fortunately consigned to the history books.
Only had one temporarily as a get me by and was amazed at what fun it was, light, agile, punchy and a joy handling as well as a lovely looking bike, if they retro made a modern version I'd be tempted.
Now there's an idea...a modern 305. That would be awesome!
Owed this motorcycle brand new from dealership. Only had a electrical ignition control module problem, which I replaced myself. I had this bike toped out at over a hundred miles an hour on my freeway between toll gates. The only thing that bothered me was the drive belt squeak if it wasn't kept clean. Other than that, no problems, loved that bike, traded for a larger bike.🏁🏁
Awesome little bike. Kawasaki used belt drive back in the day. Why the stopped I have no idea. It is so much more owner friendly than a chain. Much longer life and cleaner. Lighter and less complicated than shaft drive.
That was my first bike ever bought new in 1991! I had no idea on how to shift gears and ride! The salesman gave me a quick overview and off i went. Im surprised that I even made it home! Practice made perfect. The following year I was on a Suzuki 750 Katana. Ive never looked back! Im 61 now and riding a Honda CBR1000 RR Fireblade. Next year ill be trading in for a Kawasaki Z900RS. Im so looking forward to it!
Hi there - thanks for your comment! You made me think back to when I first rode a geared bike, it just made no sense...what I have to click up and down? Eh?! And now here we are years later and it's second nature :)
I have your old Gpz305 Tom.
It's up in the Western isles of Scotland now. Still running and looking great.
Haha! That's amazing :) Glad she's still going, let me know how you get on!
Cycle world 1983 reviewed the 1983 GPz 305 and gave it rave reviews and even explained the fix to the original jetting issues due to satisfying EPA regulations
Interesting - thanks for your comment
Yes a nice little bike, Stephen.
I think so too mate, thanks for your comment :)
Mine use to cut off at 8000rpm due to a faulty side stand safety switch. Took Kawasaki 8 weeks to figure it out. Their solution at the time- disconnect the switch. I’ve fond memories of it all the same. If memory serves it was an ‘85 built for NA market model. Truly a great bike!
Thanks for sharing your memories :)
Excellent video a man after my own heart I always wanted one of these being a belt drive and in these colours it’s a beautiful example
Thanks Dave, appreciate your comment!
Your bike is in fantastic condition. I'd say kept inside all its life. I had a 1983 GPz 305 in 1987 in the states to commute to school. I was 15. I have bought three. two are for parts and one to restore if I ever get to it. Lol. I enjoyed your video
Thanks for your comment - I have seen your videos on the GPz 305, glad to know yours is still going strong!
FINALLY, a really good overview of the 305, AND, it's just like mine!
The main reason for so many of these bikes blowing up is like many older bikes they need looking after. The 305s were regularly bought and used by new riders and abused. They now lend themselves as a modern classic thus if looked after and serviced will stand the test of time (I hope) 🤣
Well done :D
Thanks Richard and thanks for your message - hopefully you got my reply!
@@thomascharnock received thanks. Great blog page btw
Thanks, I’ll update it when I get the bike back… 😅
Also a reason for their demise was the plastic drive gear they used for the oil pump drive failed often and a tiny oil pickup gauze that often clogged.
nice find in lovely condition....and rides well by the look of it
change the oil and filter regularly with quality stuff and enjoy the miles
isnt there a secondary filter behind the oil pump that can get clogged up?
and has anyone yet reproduced the infamous plastic oil pump cog which failed on these engines in a more durable material i wonder?
Gpz305 is a good bike. Just sold my bmw 850 and bought a cbf 500 for the same reason fuel cost on the commute. Not all bikers can afford 10k bikes. Good video.
Thanks Andy. Yeah fuel costs are a big concern these days. The Enfield 650 will become my ‘sunny weekends’ ride and the GPZ my super cheap ride to work!
@@thomascharnock Here's hoping for a good summer
This was my 2 nd bike after i passed my test couldnt fault it tbh
Looks in great nick Tom, so do you sell the other bikes or keep them?
I’ve sold the ER5 (the blue one from a while back). Just bought this one to get to work mate
I had one for a couple of years back in he 90's. Loads or reliability issues with carbs and kept snapping belts every 10k or less. Oil leaks galore. A bad bike fortunately consigned to the history books.
Hello friend, can you help me? I'm looking for a GPZ 305. I'm from Mexico. Help me. I saw a video of yours from a year ago.
I've seena few for sale recently in the UK but I can't really help in terms of buying one in Mexico! Thanks for watching though :)
Que tal amigo, yo acabo de restaurar una 93, negra al 90%original soy de Guadalajara y pido 43000 pesos por ella , tiene pagado hasta el 2024