Paul Walshs 13

Bike history

1^st bike was a Yamaha 50cc 1979 – went scrabbling with it and fell down a ditch ended up with the bike onto of me my mate thought this was very funny. Also ran into the back of a car that had stopped at a zebra crossing.

2^nd bike was a Honda CG 125, which I bought of my brother, it always stopped running in the rain. Couldn’t find out what the problem was for ages, until I discovered that the washer was worn on the Crab and it kept sucking in water when it rained.

3^rd bike was a Yamaha RD 250 I had two of these. I past my test on this bike when I was 17.

Once I had passed my test the bike that I always wanted was of course the Kawasaki Z1300, I remember when I first clapped eyes on one I just couldn’t believe how big it was and the sound was just great. Ive never forgot that. (At this time I just couldn’t afford one)

So I had to make do with a Kawasaki KH250 in green. I have to say though this was a great bike and I got stacks of fun out of it, espeasily when you opened it up and just left a trail of smoke (Blue) behind.

I then moved up a little and got a Suzuki GT 380 in white, again I thought this bike was good and quit quick as well.

I then moved onto the Suzuki GS1000, had this bike for a short while until as the norm had to get rid because of other commitments.

20years have now passed and the great news is that after all this time im back on the road, but not just on any old Jap bike, no in my eyes the best beast ever to have come out of Japan. Yes you’ve guessed it the beloved Z1300.

Its taken me a long time to get to this point but now im here it was well worth the Waite.

And even better than that, you may not believe this but my Darling wife loves it!!!!!

(She always likes things big.)

I bought the bike from classic bikes some time ago its not in bad nick, apparently some bloke had it laid up in his garage since 03 so its not had much TLC given (until now) at the moment im having a few jobs done on it e.g., chrome plating, new parts, wheels restored to original condition, six into one being re-chromed as well.

Ive also got the original three into 2 pipes for it, which im told are worth quit a bit as you cant get hold them any more.

The bike is a far cry from my day to day job as a Funeral Manager, I have been Funeral directing for 27 years and the bike is a very welcome relief.

Hence my nickname of 'Mr Reaper' !!

My 2 boys Jenson & Rocco love the bike and I think are budding bikers of the future.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Paul