Silver Color on 1987 models - anyone have one

[Summit670]

My 87 is silver.  I get the impression that not many of those were made.  Anyone else out there have one?

[tbunder]

there was no US production for concours in '87. the Canadian model was red. perhaps someone switched the bodywork off an '86 or the title is mistaken. if it is an authentic silver '87, it would have a storage pocket that locks in the fairing on one side if I'm not mistaken vs the '86's both being non-lockable and just secured with snaps. the side-fairing engine vent hole is also molded into the fairing vs. the '86 being screwed on to the fairing. but really, the only way to tell if it's an authentic silver '87 is that side-fairing piece since anyone could just switch dashboards as well. I"m sure someone else will chime in here and tell me where I went wrong. 

[RFH87_Connie]

I have an '87 SILVER C-10 and a wineberry (red) '87.  They do exist and it is not an '86 (detachable side vents).  It also has the snap on cover on the left and lockable cover on the right.  By the serial number - my wineberry (red) was built in Nebraska (unless it was Japan) and it is about 255 units after my dad's silver one.  It was near the end of the run, maybe they got plastics shipped prepainted from Canada.  It is factory paint and has not been repainted (other than where he damaged the fairing corner).

Here's a portion of the VIN numbers, maybe someone will say otherwise:

Dad's silver: 11HB503560
My red: 18HB503815

[tbunder]

well, I can tell you there was NO US Concours production in 1987. that doesn't mean there isn't one in the USA. maybe you do have a silver one, who knows. it really doesn't matter to anyone but you so enjoy. I've got one of 1,284 factory produced '84 Mercury Capri RS Turbos but no one on this planet gives a hoot but me and the other 1,283 owners.

[2001concours]

When I bought my 1987 new from the dealer, I had a choice between silver and maroon. The 87 had different set of risers than the 86 models.

I parted my 87 out when the motor leaked oil into the coolant, it wasn't worth fixing with a salvage title.

[Summit670]

I bought my 87 new in 89 in Lincoln Ne.   The color is silver as I stated.  It has the locable storage, the taller bars, the matt finish bags, the mirrors with more rubber pleats, aluminum color exhausts. 

Interesting note - one mirror had more pleats and the other had fewer.  The one with fewer was warrantied because the rubber pulled away from the housing because there was too much tension and/or glued bad.  In my mind I chalked it up to being close to the production cutoff and they were using up old parts (mirrors).

If it is one of the few it makes me happier.  Sure, not many others care but when I'm asked if it is an 86 I get to "matter of fact" them.

[tbunder]

here's some info. that pretty much sums up the changes from '86 to '87. also, if you have an '87 it is a Canadian model as there was no US production model for the '87 according to zxforums. the silver '87 you have is simply excess production of the '86 and sold as an '87.

from COG- With the Concours’ debut Kawasaki made a promise to make no changes for 5 years but in 1987 they fine tuned the design. In the cockpit the designers raised the handlebars 1 inch, lengthened the hoses and cables by the same, and added a right side locking fairing pocket. They then turned their attention to the lower half of the fork. The 1986 had 270mm rotors but the 1987 to 1993 models wore 280mm discs. The stanchions were altered to accommodate the larger brake rotors by relocating the mounting lugs for the calipers. The next changes were to the lower fairing panels. The 1986 lower panels were unique in that the large and small heat exhaust vents were not molded in. They were separate pieces that would screw onto the lower panel. You can see the screws on the exterior. Finally the 1986 bag lids had a smooth finish that was changed to a sand grain texture. The better to hide scuffs and scratches.
Measure your rotors, that will tell the tale.

from zxforums-
http://www.zxforums.com/forums/gtr-1400-forum/1545-concours-over-years-pictures-history.html

[T Cro ®]

That is correct there was no Concours produced in the US in 87 but that does not mean they were not produced in Japan as they were in both Gray and Red to which they were imported to the states. This importation was and is the very reason that there was 2 colors available to be had in 87 as historically the US plant only did one color run in any one given model and year but the units (not specifically the Concours) that were made in Japan often had a dual color run.

The one year that you will not hear much of anything about was the 96 as not only was there no US production there was no import into the states only to Canada; due to lack luster sales of the Concours in the US  Kawasaki decided to not import any to the states that year. Now despite wimpy sales of the Concours in previous years there were so many complaint/comment made as to the Concours being missing from the US line up that it was brought back in 97

NOTE: This history which could be as flawed as my memory was gleaned from this forum as I've been hanging from the rafters here since late 01 to which I put my money down on an 01 in the spring of 02; paid for in Feb and brought home as soon as the snow cleared from the roads in MI....

[Summit670]

Well, I appreciate the additional information guys, and thanks, but let's get back on topic - my original post asked if there was anyone else out there with a Silver 87.

Just curious how many of us there may be.

Thanks.

[RFH87_Connie]

I have one, but it won't be silver too much longer.  I'm going to be painting it soon - ZRX green with black as the bottom 2-tone.  All of the silver pegs and such, including wheels and diff, have been powder coated black already.

[MAN OF BLUES]

 

[T Cro ®]

Don't just watch help us out MOB cause we knows you know mo bout the Connie than we like to admit too.