Wants A Zephyr, But it’s Too Expensive, So Customized a ZR-7S to My Liking and Fell in Love With it | Beloved Motorcycle

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ZR-7/S(738cc)Owner: Catchelion
1. FROM MY BIKE COMMENTS
ZR-7/Check out the user reviews of S

ZR-7/S(738cc)Owner: Catchelion

This corner introduces one MY BIKE submitted to Webike Community every week.
The model introduced this time is Yamaha "ZR-7/S" and the owner is "Catchelion".

The popularity of the Z series and other air-cooled four-cylinder models knows no bounds and has settled into a price range that exceeds that of new supersport motorcycles. Many people must have been captivated by their heritage atmosphere and charm not found in other types of engines, and it is understandable that they have become a premium product. However, it is also true that it has become an expensive car for the average person.

Mr. Catchelion, who is introduced here, first wanted a Zephyr 750 and tried to find one, but the Zephyr, which is also a very popular model, was quite expensive. However, he could not afford it. However, he could not give up on his dream, so he decided to customize a ZR-7S, the same air-cooled 4-cylinder model, to look like a Zephyr. He started the challenge to customize the same air-cooled 4-cylinder model ZR-7S to look like Zephyr.

The ZR-7 is a Kawasaki model introduced in 1999. It was equipped with an air-cooled 4-cylinder 2-valve DOHC engine that shared the same base as the Zephyr 750, and while it was able to demonstrate the ride quality of a classic naked machine, its exterior was a very modern aero design. A derivative model, the ZR-7S, featured a large half cowl with even better aerodynamic characteristics. Perhaps because of the mismatch between the heritage engine and the modern looks, it has not been seen very often in Japan since that time, and even today it is not as popular as the Z or Zephyr.

That is why Mr. Catchelion acquired the ZR-7S, but as soon as he saw it in person, he fell in love with it at first sight!
He was immediately impressed by the highly refined engine derived from a Zapper, and the easy-to-manage handling without any quirks. Moreover, as a customization base, the exterior of popular models such as the Zephyr, Z2, and Z750FX can be used as much as you like, allowing you to arrange it in any style you like. It is a base vehicle that fulfills my dreams. For riders looking for an air-cooled 4-cylinder model, the ZR-7 may be the perfect fit!

The style looks like a tiger-colored Zephyr. However, if you look closely at the engine and suspension, you can tell it is a ZR-7. The customization was not done by a store, but by myself.

The front cowl was removed and the rear frame of the Zephyr 750 was transplanted. In addition, major changes were made to the exhaust and seat area.

In its normal form, the aero style of this model makes it hard to believe that it is equipped with a Zephyr-based engine. This model has gained great popularity in Europe and is said to be easy to ride without any quirks.

FROM MY BIKE COMMENTS

Motive for purchase

- I wanted to buy a Z750FX-1, but it was too expensive and I gave up! I wanted to buy a Zephyr750 and ride it with FX specs, but the Zephyr750 was too expensive and I couldn't afford it, so I decided to buy a ZR-7 because it could be made to Zephyr specs or FX specs and it was inexpensive, but I could only find a ZR-7S, so I bought a ZR-7S. When I saw the ZR-7S in person, I fell in love with it at first sight. I was going to ride it as it is, but I told my friends and acquaintances that I was going to make it Zephyr spec, so I decided to make it Zephyr spec.

Advantages

- Since it is a rare bike, there are almost no custom parts for the stock bike, but with the customization to Zephyr specifications, the range of customization has expanded tremendously even after the specification change. I was honestly surprised that the handling was improved by removing the F cowl and the weight was reduced by transplanting the rear frame from a Zephyr 750, making the bike lighter, faster, and easier to ride, close to the ideal for me. If the Zephyr 750 exterior can be installed beautifully, the store's Z2, Z750FX, and Z400FX exteriors can be bolted on, and with further modification, the GPZ900R and GPZ750F exteriors. The ZR-7S is a base vehicle that fulfills my dream of having an old car too expensive to buy. The picture shows the 7S gauges, but I have now changed to 7 gauges and a one-off R suspension.

Disadvantages

- It is no longer called ZR-7S Custom, but Zephyr 750 Custom. The welding marks that I dared to leave on the bike to show that I made it by myself, not by a store, are said to be messy, lazy, and unsightly. I have no complaints about the vehicle itself, but I am worried that I will not be able to pass the next vehicle inspection since I customized the Zephyr to my own specifications.

Address to prospective buyers

The ZR-7 and ZR-7S can be ridden in stock form or customized. The ZR-7 and ZR-7S can be ridden standard or customized. The ZR-7 and ZR-7S engines have evolved with the changing times since the Zapper and have a high level of perfection, so if they are maintained properly, they should not have many problems and can be ridden with confidence. It is an excellent bike that is easy to handle and easy to ride, so I think it is the best choice for your first big bike.