Indy's Highway to the Danger Zone - GPZ900R

[Indiana_Jones]

I has been a few years since I had anything classic, since the departure of my XJ40 (which unfortunately became too much of a hassle for me and didn't realistically have the space to work on it properly - I had ended up losing that lovin' feeling).

5 years ago when i got a 1990s Royal Enfield Bullet for shits and giggles, this got me back into bikes, which is where my original passion for vehicles began (I sold my last bike when we left Auckland in 2013, which also helped with the house deposit - how times have changed). As much as fun as it was, I decided that I liked riding into work (rather than the loser cruiser), so decided that I need a modern bike for that purpose (you know, actually starting when you need it to etc).

So off went the Royal Enfield and then I got a BMW G310GS, to ease back into the game as it were. That scratched an itch for a while, but around 2 years after that, I wanted to get back on a Triumph (last bike in Auckland was a Bonneville). So off went the BMW and in came my current daily, a 2008 Bonneville.

But still, 2 years later, I had the itch for something to spanner on (wife could see this too). So I decided that I needed a classic bike and a daily bike.

I had been pining for a Meriden Triumph, BSA etc, but then came across a 1987 GPZ900R. Now being a child of 1986 and a fan of Top Gun......well.....I just kinda had to go for it.

So anyways, this has landed at my place:

 

 

 

 

The current plan is to get her back onto the road (rego is on hold) and give her a Top Gun style. 

Also came with essentially a second bike, minus the engine and fuel tank. 

No doubt in the coming weeks, I'll realise the suffering I have brought upon myself, but fuck it, we'll have some fun......

 

[xsspeed]

80s synth and electric drum beat intensifies

[Bearded Baldy]

Shitchea!

[Indiana_Jones]

Just placing this here for future reference: 

 

 

 

Have done a quick assessment of what I have on my hands:

• One bike that's pretty much together
• A bunch of spares slapped together into the shape of a motorcycle (akin to the Titan submersible) 
• A box full of bits from the main bike and the spares bike (at face value, I have two of everything, save the engine and fuel tank).

I knew the carbs were off the motorcycle, but was surprised to find that the wiring loom was not installed - Don't worry, as mentioned above, it's there, it just needs to be installed.......this should prove interesting.

Some 'perks/bonus/glitter in the turd':

 

• Haynes book of lies: 
  
  
  
  
   
• Complete with Barry spec mag articles:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
• What appears to be a brand new screen:
  
  
  
  
  
   
• Rebuild kits for brake and clutch M/Cs as well as calipers:
  
  
   

 

No doubt further investigations will happen over the coming weekend, but the general plan of attack / first things I need to do are:

• Install wiring loom
• Connect battery to test said wiring loom
• rebuild carbs (after ordering rebuild kits)
• Inspect and connect up cooling system
• Replace spark plugs
• Replace engine oil and filter

That should hopefully get me in a position to see if I can get her fired up.

 

........so check back in around 9 months.......

[Bearded Baldy]

https://www.litetek.co/index.html

These guys don't have carb kits for the 900 listed, but would be worth an email. One of the few places the exchange rate works in our favour too.

[HighLUX]

Atleast this has aged better than Kelly McGillis

[Indiana_Jones]

1 hour ago, HighLUX said:

Atleast this has aged better than Kelly McGillis

[Bearded Baldy]

Why did i google that....... shudder...

More bike pics. Now!

 

 

Please

[HighLUX]

2 hours ago, Bearded Baldy said:

Why did i google that....... shudder...

More bike pics. Now!

 

 

Please

Got em

[Bearded Baldy]

On 04/07/2026 at 17:35, Indiana_Jones said:

Progress was made on the gpz today, I am happy.

Edited July 11 by Bearded Baldy
Where is the update! Some of us need inspiration

[Indiana_Jones]

Some progress over the last week and a bit:

• Confirmed the engine had oil in it, and managed to get the engine to turn over using the rear wheel, followed by turning it over by using the starter motor (directly connected to a battery).
• Was hoping to do a compression test, but my tester only has the 14mm and 16mm adaptor and not the 12mm I need. Will need to order an el cheapo kit from tardme to get that sorted.
• Got the wiring loom mostly installed, there are a couple of outliers which i need to figure out where they go - Have got lights, indicators, horn, brake lights and the voltmeter button is working. I can't seem to get the bike to turn over using the starter button (this could be due to some outstanding wiring needed to be sorted - or that the start solenoid is rooted). Likewise, still no neutral or oil pressure lights, so need to get them sorted. 
• Made an order for: anti-dive rebuild kit, carb rebuild kit (x4) and a new air filter - currently enroute from the UK. 

 

 

 

[Hwodda]

Quote

I has been a few years since I had anything classic, since the departure of my XJ40 (which unfortunately became too much of a hassle for me and didn't realistically have the space to work on it properly - I had ended up losing that lovin' feeling). 5 years ago when i got a 1990s Royal Enfield Bullet for shits and giggles, this got me back into bikes, which is where my original passion for vehicles began (I sold my last bike when we left Auckland in 2013, which also helped with the house deposit - how times have changed). As much as fun as it was, I decided that I liked riding into work (rather than the loser cruiser), so decided that I need a modern bike for that purpose (you know, actually starting when you need it to etc). So off went the Royal Enfield and then I got a BMW G310GS, to ease back into the game as it were. That scratched an itch for a while, but around 2 years after that, I wanted to get back on a Triumph (last bike in Auckland was a Bonneville). So off went the BMW and in came my current daily, a 2008 Bonneville. But still, 2 years later, I had the itch for something to spanner on (wife could see this too). So I decided that I needed a classic bike and a daily bike. I had been pining for a Meriden Triumph, BSA etc, but then came across a 1987 GPZ900R. Now being a child of 1986 and a fan of Top Gun......well.....I just kinda had to go for it. So anyways, this has landed at my place: While browsing classic motorcycle forums, reading up on vintage bike builds, and following garage restoration projects online, I sometimes like to relax and unwind for a bit by checking out https://tropical-casino.com/

That is an absolute dream project bike! Transitioning from modern daily riders like the G310GS and the Bonneville to finally scratching that itch for a proper spanner-friendly classic is a familiar path for any true gearhead. And let's be honest—growing up in the 80s and seeing a classic Kawasaki GPZ900R land in the garage is the ultimate Top Gun fantasy come to life. There's nothing quite like the iconic silhouette and raw character of that machine. Enjoy bringing that legend back to its absolute best!

[Indiana_Jones]

1 hour ago, Hwodda said:

Following classic GPZ900R builds on forums is always addictive, especially when someone dives deep into sorting out the quirks of an iconic 80s machine like that. There is something proper about watching a project come together step by step, from mechanical sorting to getting the stance right without losing that classic Top Gun aesthetic.

I fear I won't live up to your expectations lol, but it's gonna be a journey and I'm having a good time (it's nice to work one a project of my own rather than someone else's).

Since I'm posting:

• Have now got a battery
• Seem to have managed to get the starter to turn over using the starter button, after a bit more wire checking and cleaning up the solenoid (I should order a new one for general piece of mind).
• Got the oil pressure light to work, until I snapped the cable by mistake, so need to fix that
• Got the Neutral light going (found where it needed to plug into, because I'm a genius)
• Order mentioned in earlier post from the UK has arrived
• Have started carb strip down and clean, has been a bit of dog. Once done, will provide a more detailed post

While I'm posting (again), any ideas on the best solution to fix a worn key / barrel? the ignition key seems to be abled to be removed from the barrel when in the 'on' position, less then ideal. 

[tortron]

40 minutes ago, Indiana_Jones said:

best solution to fix a worn key / barrel?

Sometimes i repin them (but I keep all the wafers out of scrap ones) but the last one i got for my cb650 was really cheap for a good quality non branded replacement, probably applicable for this

[Bearded Baldy]

High chance the starter button wouldn't work until you plugged in the neutral switch. Solenoid might be fine.

[tortron]

32 minutes ago, Bearded Baldy said:

High chance the starter button wouldn't work until you plugged in the neutral switch. Solenoid might be fine.

Or the stand switch (first thing to go tbh)

[Indiana_Jones]

1 hour ago, Bearded Baldy said:

High chance the starter button wouldn't work until you plugged in the neutral switch. Solenoid might be fine.

Interesting, will test this theory. I would've assumed it wouldn't have made a difference given the age of the bike.

1 hour ago, tortron said:

Or the stand switch (first thing to go tbh)

The lack of a side stand switch didn't seem to impact it. That said I managed to find the switch and the plug connector, it just doesn't have the wiring between the two lol

9 hours ago, tortron said:

Sometimes i repin them (but I keep all the wafers out of scrap ones) but the last one i got for my cb650 was really cheap for a good quality non branded replacement, probably applicable for this

Repin them as in replace the pins in the old barrel? Would be keen on this approach as the key seems to work for everything else bar the fuel flap (which i can live with), but would rather avoid having to have more than 2 keys if I could help it (especially if they all look the same).

[tortron]

1 hour ago, Indiana_Jones said:

Repin them as in replace the pins in the old barrel

Yeah. Its really easy, can buy assorted pins/wafers if needed

[Indiana_Jones]

50 minutes ago, tortron said:

Yeah. Its really easy, can buy assorted pins/wafers if needed

Cheers, will take a look into it, might flick you a DM if I get stuck.

[Indiana_Jones]

On 06/08/2026 at 06:27, Bearded Baldy said:

High chance the starter button wouldn't work until you plugged in the neutral switch. Solenoid might be fine.

Can confirm this theory is correct, starter doesn't work unless you have the neutral switch in place. 

Pictureless update, have got the battery box and battery installed, so looking pretty good on the electrical front at the moment (he says without testing the ignition leads yet.....).