Well-loved: Kawasaki Tengai

Roger Jones bought this bike in July 2011, knowing it had had just four owners in its life and just 26,778 miles on the clocks. It’s now got more than 32k. Roger fills us in: “Sadly an old mate of mine died of cancer and had 15 bikes. I knew him well and his wife asked if I wanted to buy any of them. Well, I knew which one I wanted: the Tengai. I’m sure anyone else would have knocked her down on price, but I didn’t. I paid £1000 for it and I know I’d double that.” Despite how it looks now, the bike did need some work: “The tank had rusted so it needed treating and the carb needed a good clean out. “Other than that, I put a new battery on her and away she went. I try and do at least 1000 miles a year on it and it’s my second bike. I also never ride it in winter. The previous owner (my mate) looked after it so I plan to do the same. I use it to enjoy the Lincolnshire Wolds: if I’m doing 80mph on it, I’m flying! But most of the time you don’t, as it’s not that sort of bike. It handles nicely I think: it’s taut and not wibbly-wobbly. Whenever I get a secondhand bike I take thing apart and re-grease the bits that need doing. The front brake leaves a little to be desired, back then it was okay, but in comparison to newer machines you need to heave on it a little more to stop. “I’ve made some subtle changes: foot rest hangers have different plates and are raised by 50mm (I’m not the tallest chap, as my inside leg is just 29in!) The stanchions are up by 25mm, which also lowers the bike a little bit, I find it more comfy. The new Hagon rear shock really does feel good: they ring you up and ask you some questions and then send you the unit. They did the business as it feels so good on the road. The previous shock was original and had done around 32,000 miles, some of it two-up on trips to France with full camping gear, so it cried enough! “Now, it’s probably worth £2500, but why sell it? I’m 71 now and I would rather keep it in the shed to look at it. It really is a forgotten Kawasaki model and I love my ‘Ten’.”