I bought this bike to use while I refurbished my 134,000 (you read it right) mile Pan European. I recently bought a Kawasaki KLV 1000, so this bike is up for sale. It's a Kawasaki EN 450 Ltd from 1989 with 34k miles on and all it needs is a new rear tyre (unless I buy one to use the bike before it's sold).
When I first saw the bike, I wasn't into cruiser/chopper style bikes and thought it would be too small for my 6' 3". However, with it's forward controls it has been one of the most comfortable bikes I've ever ridden.
Tall or small, it suits 'em all... and it's great fun to ride with what is basically a sports bike engine in a small cruiser frame. It embarrasses a lot of larger cruisers and only weighs around 200kg. It really is a fun bike.
I've done a helluva lot to it since I bought it last year... new silencers and a new one-piece magnet flywheel, a belt drive to chain drive conversion, new twin-tone horns, new upgraded cam chain tensioner, new regulator/rectifier, new steering head bearings, new plugs, HT leads and plug caps.
I've also replaced the front wheel, front brake disc and pads, radiator, rad temp sensor, thermostat, rad hoses, clutch cable, and fitted a new battery. The tank has been internally sealed and I just cleaned and checked the petcock after mysteriously running out of fuel (I think the tank breather pipe was kinked after fitting the plugs).
I've also cleaned and sync'ed the carbs before Christmas and fitted new air filters and a cigar lighter power socket. I soaked it in ACF50 in readiness for the winter, so it looks a bit oily at the moment. Talking of oil, it recently had an oil and filter change plus the coolant was drained, flushed and refilled with silicate free anti-freeze.
I won't say it's paint/chromework is perfect but it is very presentable and classic bike insurance with 50mpg makes it cheap to run. I have a spare seat, radiator, triple tree, and a box of other bits to go with it. Although a rare bike now, it was a very popular bike in the USA and there are still a few over here - although most are breakers or scruffy.
I would like to get my money back on the cost of the bike plus a little for the parts and labour I've invested, so I'm looking for £1250 and a good home for the bike. PM me on this forum if you want more information.
If you want to see it in action and get a sense of what it's like to ride, watch my video on YouTube of a trip to Coniston earlier in the year. There are some stills of the bike towards the end of the video. Here's the link/video...
