Author Topic: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 (updated with pictures)  (Read 13317 times)

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Offline TomL

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1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 (updated with pictures)
« on: March 13, 2012, 07:44:21 AM »
I need an opinion.  A friend of my dad has had a '73 Z1 since new.  He replaced the stock exhaust probably 15 years ago with some sort of performance exhaust.  Mice got into the exhaust and it somehow rusted out.  The bike was "taken apart" at least 10 years ago.  I know the motor is out of the frame.  To what extent it was taken apart I don't know.  Supposedly the original exhaust is in good shape and the bike only needs things like new tires, probably a carb rebuild. 

He wants to sell it to me for $500.  This is a no-brainer right?  From what I have read these bikes are pretty desirable and can fetch a pretty penny. This is the fourth season I'll be riding my CB350F, which i fixed up to be my first bike. I don't plan on parting with it.

Input please!
« Last Edit: March 26, 2012, 07:23:55 AM by TomL »

Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #1 on: March 13, 2012, 08:08:06 AM »
Gimme gimmee gimmee. What a lovely bike for that price. Bite his hand off. :) You would pay more for the standard pipes.
'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


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Offline dragracer

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2012, 09:01:59 AM »
You really don't want that bike- sell it to me,lol.

Got for it man. There are tons of parts for those bikes and of course there are several forums dedicated to them just like this site.

Offline Xnavylfr

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2012, 09:25:26 AM »
I'd jump on that so quick there would be a hole left in the ground from the suction!!!


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Offline TomL

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2012, 09:46:49 AM »
Glad to see there seems to be a consensus.  For that much money I think I'd be an idiot to pass it up.  I just hope it is as described.  Supposedly it's been in a basement of a newer home for 10 years or so.  That should seriously limit corrosion and/or rust.  My only hope is that it isn't 100% stripped.  I'd like to not have to mess with running the 40 year old wiring back through the frame.

Offline kirkn

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2012, 11:45:21 AM »
For $500, it wouldn't matter if it were stripped to every last nut and bolt, and every wire unplugged!

A '73 Z1 with all that OEM stuff is, like, the holy grail of Kawasakis!!

Offline grcamna2

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #6 on: March 13, 2012, 01:48:20 PM »
I have some good OEM carb floats I can let you have for a song...if I was you I'd be singing for that nice find  ;D can you show us any pics ?
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Industrial Rat400f Killer

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2012, 05:09:03 PM »
Buy it, put it together and ride it or sell it for $4k. No really, they're worth that much.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2012, 05:32:17 PM »
Buy it, put it together and ride it or sell it for $4k. No really, they're worth that much.

Original mint ones go for $10K on eBay.  Go buy it...NOW!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KAWASAKI-900-Z1-1973-/251015359502?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item3a71ae6c0e
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline TomL

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #9 on: March 14, 2012, 10:26:42 AM »
Well I'll be seeing it soon.  I guess helping the guy fix computer issues for the last 5 or so years without ever getting paid is finally paying off.

Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #10 on: March 14, 2012, 10:47:19 AM »
Well I'll be seeing it soon.  I guess helping the guy fix computer issues for the last 5 or so years without ever getting paid is finally paying off.
I'm hoping Karma gives me a similar break.  ::)
'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


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Offline dragracer

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #11 on: March 14, 2012, 11:18:37 AM »
Well I'll be seeing it soon.  I guess helping the guy fix computer issues for the last 5 or so years without ever getting paid is finally paying off.

Let me know if you need help sourcing parts. I might have some odds and ends or know where you can get some things. Those bikes are becoming hard to find in my neck of the woods even if they've been parted down over time. I mainly drag race the old KZ's and have friends in our crew that run them as well. This is my most current no bar KZ project;http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=101419.0

Do you plan to do an original restoration or mods to the bike??

Offline bwaller

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #12 on: March 15, 2012, 07:27:42 AM »
Just so you know if you end up with the Z1, I have a set of 73 carbs that are completely rebuilt, adjusted & ready to run.
« Last Edit: March 15, 2012, 07:35:37 AM by bwaller »

Offline Xnavylfr

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #13 on: March 16, 2012, 06:42:18 AM »
Thats a real nice find. You could always bore it to 1075 and it becomes a REAL sleeper, leave all the 900 badges on it and everybody thinks Damn thats a REAL fast Z900. SURPRISE<SURPRISE<SURPRISE
If you don't buy it you'll be sorry!!! later!!


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I still have some KZ parts!!

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #14 on: March 16, 2012, 06:45:04 AM »
Did you get it?
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Jeff.Saunders

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #15 on: March 18, 2012, 05:41:47 AM »
If it is a 73, the bike is much more valuable restored to original condition.  Nicely restored 73 Z1's will fetch over $15,000 - even over $20,000 if done perfectly.  Any customization will devalue the bike dramatically.  The key is making sure you understand what is correct for a 73 Z1.  Lots of later Z1 / KZ parts will fit the bike, but many of the 73 parts are unique as they changed the design of many of the parts through the production run.

DON'T throw away any parts - even if they look rough.  Some of the original parts are VERY hard to find.

Many of the parts on these bikes are date coded - so a collector will be looking for correct date codes when assessing the value of the bike.

Offline Industrial Rat400f Killer

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #16 on: March 18, 2012, 08:02:54 AM »
There's a book that is the tell all for how to tell what parts were from what year. My friend has it, I'll ask the name of it and post it in here for you.

Offline Jeff.Saunders

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #17 on: March 18, 2012, 08:29:45 AM »
There are several books that are useful.

Dave Marsden's restorers guide is a good starting point, but it skims over the real detailed stuff - and it contains a few errors.

Mickey Hesse's book - Volume 3 is the best about showing the differences in parts - unfortunately it's only in German.  His Volume 1 is a decent read - it is in both German and English - it too has some errors showing parts on a bike from a later model - and providing wrong information on some of the later KZ1000 models.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #18 on: March 18, 2012, 08:50:24 AM »
Jeff - I believe I saw an awesome heavily modded Z1 on your website last year? Is that yours and do you still have it??
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Jeff.Saunders

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #19 on: March 18, 2012, 08:58:17 AM »
Jeff - I believe I saw an awesome heavily modded Z1 on your website last year? Is that yours and do you still have it??

Probably my turbocharged Z1
 

I still have this - it should be at Mid-Ohio this year on the booth.  RayJay turbo, 1200cc Wiseco turbo pistons, HSR 42mm carb, 2" over swing arm, raked frame and more.  Originally I bought it 10 years ago with the thoughts of restoring it, but the frame modifications were too extensive to put it back to stock.  I also have an all stock 74 Z1A

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #20 on: March 18, 2012, 12:26:37 PM »
Yes, that's it, absolutely beautiful. 
Would like to see the '74 if you have a pic handy.
I plan to have one of these, will sell a couple of my Hondas if necessary.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline TomL

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #21 on: March 21, 2012, 08:28:05 AM »
Supposed to go pick it up this weekend.  I talked a little bit more to the owner.  Apparently he let it sit for a few years and mice got into his Kerker exhaust and rusted it out.  He said they also got to the wiring a bit.  He said "they peed all over it which melted the wiring".  Not sure what to think there.  But as it sits, it is completely taken apart.  Bare frame.  He was planning on powder coating it.  The Kerker is supposed to be junk, but he said he still has the stocker.  He also said he has a set of 29mm smooth bore carbs which were popular hot rodder parts back in the day.  He has the original carbs as well, but they need a good going through. As far as paint on the tank, side covers and tail piece, that is yet to be determined.  I may end up putting it back together with the smooth bores and a new 4 into 1.  I'll probably also put on some lower bars and bar end mirrors.  I'll definitely keep all the stock parts for future use.  If it is a stock exhaust it is probably better off if I don't run it on the bike.  It's basically priceless.  I'll post pictures when I get it, although it's probably just going to look like a pile of parts.

Offline TomL

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900
« Reply #22 on: March 26, 2012, 07:13:34 AM »



So I picked it up. 18,000 miles.  The chassis number is in the 1,000s.  He's still looking for the original carbs, seat and some other odds and ends.  I did get a messed up Kerker as well as the stock 4 into 4 which is in desperate need of a rechroming.  I am told it came off of the bike in 1976 and hasn't been on since.  There is no sign of serious rust, just poor plating.  Is rechroming it worth it or should I keep it as is for the next owner?  I don't want to use it because once it's rusted there's no going back. I also got the painted parts.  All look great except a small dent in the tank.  Mostly original.  He replaced the shocks, there are lower handle bars, but stock are included.  I am missing mirrors, but I plan on adding bar end mirrors in place of the bug antenna stocks.  Opinions on condition?  Everything is grimey.  It'll need a lot of cleanup before I can even tell where to start. 
« Last Edit: March 26, 2012, 07:17:54 AM by TomL »

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 (updated with pictures)
« Reply #23 on: March 26, 2012, 07:28:22 AM »
Hard to tell condition, but looks good (and like the plate).  Start by cleaning/degreasing everything, Simple Green works good.  Contact Brown's for chrome plating, but it will be expensive.
Great project, wish it were mine!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline kirkn

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 (updated with pictures)
« Reply #24 on: March 26, 2012, 07:41:28 AM »
« Last Edit: March 26, 2012, 08:18:45 AM by kirkn »

Offline 754

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 (updated with pictures)
« Reply #25 on: March 26, 2012, 08:23:49 AM »
 Nice bike, very cool plate.. Dont throw anything out.. it may clean up or replate.. Clean steel wool ..not scouring pads... will be your friend..
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Offline Jeff.Saunders

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 (updated with pictures)
« Reply #26 on: March 26, 2012, 08:57:40 AM »
The 4-4 pipes might be worth rechroming.  The 4-4 pipes rot out from the inside - so the outside isn't always an indication of the quality of the steel.

Look at the top seam of the pipes.  The very early Z1 pipes have no stamping alongside the top seam.  The join between the header pipe and the muffler should just show a weld.  The slightly later version have a crimped stainless steel strap cover over the weld.  Once you get deeper into the Z1 production run, lettering appeared alongside the top seam.  If any of the pipes have the stamping, post what you have on each pipe.

Replica pipes are around $1500.  While expensive, a good set of 4-4 pipes add that much resale value to the bike.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 (updated with pictures)
« Reply #27 on: March 26, 2012, 09:13:06 AM »
Tom - Jeff is our "resident expert" on the Z1 and owns a couple.
His website sells parts, see the link in his sig.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline TomL

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 (updated with pictures)
« Reply #28 on: March 26, 2012, 10:11:58 AM »
Thanks for all of the info/help everyone.  Glad to know that SOHC4 owners are not pigeon holed.  I'll take a picture of the pipes when I get a free second.  I'll also have to consider getting a price for re-chroming the exhaust. I am sure it would be cheaper than replacing it.  Not to mention they are original parts.  Too bad the PO didn't keep them wrapped up.  Pristine chrome on a 39 year old exhaust would be great.  Forgot to mention, he gave me a Corbin seat. It clearly looks like it's from the 70s.  I'm hoping he has the original somewhere.  I think it looks better.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 (updated with pictures)
« Reply #29 on: November 21, 2013, 06:51:12 PM »
So, where are you with this, Tom?
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Robbo22

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 (updated with pictures)
« Reply #30 on: November 22, 2013, 11:49:27 AM »
You may want to pick up the shop manual - http://newlondon.craigslist.org/mcy/4154393144.html

Rob

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 (updated with pictures)
« Reply #31 on: November 23, 2013, 11:00:29 AM »
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Sgt.Pinback

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 (updated with pictures)
« Reply #32 on: November 23, 2013, 12:31:16 PM »
Wold like to see re-chromed 4-4 pipes.

How is this done? Are each pipes divided in two pieces? How do you close all holes...
Doc, I love a motorcycle!

Offline TomL

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Re: 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 (updated with pictures)
« Reply #33 on: November 25, 2013, 12:17:47 PM »
Long time since I updated.  I have redone the fork seals.  I put together the front end, mounted the headlight bucket, rebuilt the master cylinder and caliper.  I've got the engine in the fame and I cleaned the carbs and slapped them on.  The rear wheel, swing arm, and chain are all mounted on as well as the shocks.  I've reconnected the clutch cable and stared rewiring the whole bike (the harness was trashed).  It's slow going as I haven't had a ton of time to work on it.  I probably won't make much progress this winter because my garage is frigid.  It is coming along.  I don't want to rush the wiring and have to do it all over.  Also, I still haven't taken a minute to take a look at the stock exhaust.  It's hanging up in the rafters of my garage and I haven't taken it down.