The Return of the UJM

1978 KAWASAKI KZ650 C

I knew if I bugged Bill long enough he'd sell me his bike. He hardly ever rode it. I was in a very unusual "bikeless" stage of my life while living in Asheville, NC, which is as close to moto-Utopia as you can get. I needed a bike and Bill had a bike he didn't need. Sounded like serendipity to me.

The Bill I speak of is Bill Miles, my stepfather. He kept his 1978 KZ650 C in the walk-in basement that also served as my residence when not away at college. I marveled at the great shape the bike was in even back in the mid-80s. As the years went by, the bike remained ageless. Bill was meticulous about storage and maintenance, and his work schedule allowed him little time for riding. I made it very well known that I was interested in the bike every time we spoke. Finally, after ten years of incessant why-don't you-sell-me-your-bike blather, he broke down and agreed to the transaction.

For the next couple of years in Asheville, the little KZ served admirably as an everyday commuter and it opened up a whole new world of mountain roads for my wife and me. Even after the purchase of the much more road worthy BMW K75S, the Kawi managed to see plenty of daylight. Kathy and I never ceased to be amazed at the comfort and nimble qualities the 650 offered. The constant "nice bike" comments didn't hurt its status either. ...

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