Kawasaki W800

[Raymond]

But then I've been reluctant to copy the 650 advert link here because a really cherry HS with low miles at that price, I'm afraid someone here might snatch it up before I make up my mind

Yup, the grass never stops growing.

If you want a bike to git out there and ride, the W800 will not be a mistake. Simple, low-stressed, reliable, quality finish, looks like a 1960's Bonnie to many folk, does the job, but without the oil-leaks, dodgy electrics and fifty-odd years of abuse. Doesn't sound like an old Bonnie of course. Polly has a full Motad system which lets about the right amount of sound out, not loud, just more mellow than standard.

But how to weigh it against the Special? Got a W and an XS in the garage but it's like asking which is my favourite child.* They are different, the W is objectively better but Miss November has her own charms.

I sometimes tell people facing a tough choice, flip a coin. Your immediate reaction to the flip tells you a lot - if you think Damn! then you have your answer right there . . .

*I don't have any children, but I do seem to have three grandchildren

 

[RC4MAN]

Well, no longer have to worry, the XS has been sold, lasted 2 days

 

[Mailman]

Well, no longer have to worry, the XS has been sold, lasted 2 days

Does that mean the Kawasaki is in play?

 

[46th Georgia]

Well, no longer have to worry, the XS has been sold, lasted 2 days

Well, it's good to know that there's a "new" XS owner out there. Hope he finds us.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

I was >this< close to buying a non-current 2022 blue 800 from a dealer 80km away when the price mysteriously went up $3000 dollars when someone (finally) showed interest in it.

 

[Raymond]

Today, took Polly to the village m/c engineer for annual MOT test.

Didn't feel the need for any special preparations and she duly passed with no advisories. The only thing Tosh mentioned, and it wasn't a test observation, was that the front brake lever would benefit from lubrication.

I'll strip the lever, take a look at that and the pivot bolt, grease it all up and reassemble. It just so happens I have a spare front brake lever but I doubt that will be needed.

I said to him, that's why we let somebody else have a look at our bikes once a year.

Mileage 38,095

Tosh and I discussed that Polly is a one owner from new bike and in fact he remembers when I acquired the W800. We agreed the bike looks a bit middle-aged but he said that's patina and a sign of a bike that has been used.

We also discussed his Trabant car - it sounds a bit like a 4-wheel equivalent of the 500 Bullet. A relic of a bye-gone age, simple, slow but fun. Says his Trabbie brings a smile to his face every time he drives it.

 

[Raymond]

With the XS650 being re-wired and the Bullet being given a top-end job, Polly has of course been out and about a fair bit of late. This morning, noticed the bike felt heavy to push. When we got home, put on the centre stand and turned the back wheel - considerable resistance. Investigation soon showed the brake arm pivot was seized.

So the back wheel had to come out. Giving me the full set - garage with all bikes hors de combat.





Not that the plan was for Polly to remain of hors status for too long.





I remembered the alloy chain adjusters a member on the W800 forum gave me





Took me a wee while to realise they are slightly shorter than the rusty old ones - wondered why the chain was so slack although I hadn't touched the adjuster screws . . .

But now it's all back in one piece, the new adjusters do show the bike up though.

 

[Its been a long time]

But now it's all back in one piece, the new adjusters do show the bike up though.

That's something that's proving to be quite the (expensive) problem for me at the moment on the old 650D now it's back from the dead.

The recommissioning whilst keeping the 48 year patina idea is proving quite problematic to live with. Latest "great idea" is a batch of rechroming that's no doubt going to be a rather extortionate cost.

 

[Mailman]

That W800 is a great , dependable bike. I regret not buying one when I had the chance.

 

[Raymond]

Just in case any of you gentlemen is interested, this 2019 W800 Café is up for sale in Maine - friend of a friend situation:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1E1rpYHKRm/

I don't know anything about the bike but it's a chance to own one of the new-style Dubs.

 

[Downeaster]

Just in case any of you gentlemen is interested, this 2019 W800 Café is up for sale in Maine - friend of a friend situation:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1E1rpYHKRm/

I don't know anything about the bike but it's a chance to own one of the new-style Dubs.

That's about an hour and a half from me if anybody wants me to put the Mark I Eyeball on it.

 

[Wagner73]

Just in case any of you gentlemen is interested, this 2019 W800 Café is up for sale in Maine - friend of a friend situation:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1E1rpYHKRm/

I don't know anything about the bike but it's a chance to own one of the new-style Dubs.

Nice bike; the headlamp is a bit scary.

 

[Raymond]

Nice bike; the headlamp is a bit scary.

Yeah, I like a tradional headlamp too.

Polly with her new boots on, back when I fitted Kenda both ends. Since gone back to Avon RoadRiders . . .

 

[Wagner73]

Yeah, I like a tradional headlamp too.

Polly with her new boots on, back when I fitted Kenda both ends. Since gone back to Avon RoadRiders . . .

Yes, headlamp looks good on yours! So, I take it you like the Avon's better? I ask, as I went with Bridgestone BT-46's on the XS, but Avon RR Mk2's on my yet-to-be-finished KZ.

 

[Raymond]

OE on the Dub was Dunlop 'Roadmasters' which didn't live up to the reputation of the old-time TT100s in handling and their only good trait was they wore out fast. Fitted Avon RRs which were a big improvement over the Dunlops. Much more secure, better cornering, and even lasted significantly longer. The Kendas were a gamble and a disappointment - I'd run Kendas on another bike and liked them but the fitment for the W800 just felt weird, used to say it were like a front tyre in the back, steering felt well funny, replaced as soon as decent. Went back to the Avons.

I've had good use of Roadriders on the Dub, I replace rear when it's worn down, ditto front when it's worn, but front lasts more than twice as many miles before losing that loving feeling. So not often replaced together. The present rear was getting a bit low on tread in the autumn so left it over the winter but 'spose I really ought to get a new one on there soon as. But although it's worn past where I'd like it too especially across the middle, I still trust it enough to gad about on, maybe trying to keep off smooth patches of tar, sommat I do anyway.