Author Topic: Yes, a Z1 & H1- unofficial Kawasaki thread - H2 is now a rider!!! (Read 243189 times)

Xnavylfr · « **Reply #50 on:** April 19, 2013, 05:07:57 PM »

Kawasaki made a KZ650/KZ750 then jumped to the 900 KING. I have a SET of ENKIE cast rims from a 77 KZ1000 I'd let go since I don't have my HOGEATER=KZ1000( bored to 73mm).. The only drawback of the KZ is the way you adjust the valves. They are done with shim coins like the DOHC hondas. I also have some shims leftover!!

Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

Stev-o · « **Reply #51 on:** April 19, 2013, 05:17:30 PM »

Quote from: crazypj on April 19, 2013, 08:22:02 AM

Never been much of a Kawasaki fan.

There not for everyone. I bought my first one just 'cause my brother gave me a good deal, he wanted an 1100 Yamaha. Around that time my buddies had CB750's, but with fairings, I was not a fan of that! And still aren't.

Stev-o · « **Reply #52 on:** April 19, 2013, 05:25:31 PM »

Quote from: Xnavylfr on April 19, 2013, 05:07:57 PM

Kawasaki made a KZ650/KZ750 then jumped to the 900 KING.

The W1 was a 650 and came out in the mid sixties, the Z1 900 in '72 and a 750 in '73.
The KZ's came later...

http://www.motorshopdemammoet.com/kawasaki_history.htm#1960s

toytuff · « **Reply #53 on:** April 19, 2013, 06:37:05 PM »

Quote from: Xnavylfr on April 19, 2013, 05:07:57 PM

Kawasaki made a KZ650/KZ750 then jumped to the 900 KING. I have a SET of ENKIE cast rims from a 77 KZ1000 I'd let go since I don't have my HOGEATER=KZ1000( bored to 73mm).. The only drawback of the KZ is the way you adjust the valves. They are done with shim coins like the DOHC hondas. I also have some shims leftover!!

Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

Shims are so much easier. Took me a while to adjust 24 but could do it in half the time now.

tt

crazypj · « **Reply #54 on:** April 19, 2013, 06:56:02 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on April 19, 2013, 05:25:31 PM

Quote from: Xnavylfr on April 19, 2013, 05:07:57 PM
Kawasaki made a KZ650/KZ750 then jumped to the 900 KING.

The W1 was a 650 and came out in the mid sixties, the Z1 900 in '72 and a 750 in '73.
The KZ's came later...

http://www.motorshopdemammoet.com/kawasaki_history.htm#1960s

The W1 is almost a perfect copy of BSA A10, the A65 was in production and A10 discontinued
Kawasaki is pretty easy to shim, the later KZ650 was cams out with shim under bucket.
KZ still easier than CBX6 in my opinion though

dragracer · « **Reply #55 on:** April 20, 2013, 09:22:05 PM »

Nice bike. I have no brand loyalty but seem to have a stable full of Kaw's for some reason. Z1/KZ's are making a strong come back and are getting harder to find. Of course a Honda was my first bike. Still have a 78 K model and an F.

Looking forward to your restoration.

Attached is a pic my no bar KZ dragbike. Not original but purpose built to run the 8.88 index class.

Stev-o · « **Reply #56 on:** April 20, 2013, 09:31:48 PM »

Hey Drag - my bike came from SC, do you happen to know James Alford?

Your bike looks awesome, do you have other Z1's?

Rode it again yesterday, the power of it is very impressive, much more than my K4 with an 836. I find myself really needing to hold on!

dusterdude · « **Reply #57 on:** April 21, 2013, 05:16:55 AM »

Sure would like to find an old kz

Stev-o · « **Reply #58 on:** April 21, 2013, 05:41:53 AM »

Quote from: dusterdude on April 21, 2013, 05:16:55 AM

Sure would like to find an old kz

Here ya go, appears to be a pretty good deal...

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/mcy/3699086233.html

toytuff · « **Reply #59 on:** April 21, 2013, 06:47:55 AM »

Good price.

tt

dragracer · « **Reply #60 on:** April 21, 2013, 04:53:06 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on April 20, 2013, 09:31:48 PM

Hey Drag - my bike came from SC, do you happen to know James Alford?

Your bike looks awesome, do you have other Z1's?

Rode it again yesterday, the power of it is very impressive, much more than my K4 with an 836. I find myself really needing to hold on!

No, i can't say i know James Alford right off. Unless he's the fella that races dragcars. Yes, i've got another 78' KZ dragbike with a wheelie bar and slick. Still using the stock tank, side cover and tail. It does have a single club foot extended arm and aftermarket light weight wheels. I race it in pro ET and supercomp (5.60
/8.90 index). I also have another dragbike with a KZ based motor but on a chromemoly chassis. Its set up to run top gas (5.10/8.20) and top sportsman. I usually dial it in to run 7.90's in T/S. My wife also races a KZ based dragbike in Pro ET. It runs 5.60's in the 1/8th mile and 8.90's in the 1/4 mile. I have a Z1 roller i traded for some motor work that i eventually hope to set up to ride on the street but it'll be more of a restomod like the blue bike you see in the picture on my first post.

Let me know if you need stock motor parts. I might have a few things laying around.

I like the fact that your bike was kept stock. Not many rolling around today in original condition. Those bikes have a good amount of power. Have fun. Oh, when you get a chance, you might want to check your valve clearance. Its one thing that will take out a KZ motor in a heartbeat. Also, the springs in the clutch basket eventually loosen up and can break and drop into the tranny which can tear them up. MTC sells a heavy duty spring kit with rivets to rebuild the basket. Unfortunately, you have to split the cases to get the basket out on a KZ motor. If you ever tear it down, be sure to get the crank welded if it hasn't already been done.

754 · « **Reply #61 on:** April 21, 2013, 06:22:46 PM »

Much more power than your 836? .what carb and carbs are you running in the 836?
Is the Kawi stock?

Tews19 · « **Reply #62 on:** April 21, 2013, 07:29:40 PM »

is the z1 an eliminator? My buddy has 2 and the one he drives is as fast as most modern bikes off the line...

dragracer · « **Reply #63 on:** April 21, 2013, 07:52:10 PM »

The purple one is mine and has a 1500cc GPZ/KZ/Z1 based motor in a chromemoly chassis. The blue/gray bike is Z1 based stock conversion chassis with a 1425cc big block and belongs to my wife. Still have the Z1 forks on it, no reflectors-lol.

Tews19 · « **Reply #64 on:** April 21, 2013, 08:00:22 PM »

My buddy bought a GPZ motor in working order from an auction for damn near pennies. He knew what it was on the shelf and won first choice. He stated it has a stock 125 HP.. Thats a lot for an older stock engine

Stev-o · « **Reply #65 on:** April 21, 2013, 08:18:16 PM »

Great pics Drag, thx for sharing. Your wife races too? Very cool.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #66 on:** April 21, 2013, 08:21:10 PM »

Quote from: Tews19 on April 21, 2013, 08:00:22 PM

My buddy bought a GPZ motor in working order from an auction for damn near pennies. He knew what it was on the shelf and won first choice. He stated it has a stock 125 HP.. Thats a lot for an older stock engine

The GPZ 1100 were early 80's mate, my 1980's GSXR 1100 had close to 140 hp and was a lot lighter than the GPZ...

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #67 on:** April 22, 2013, 12:38:19 AM »

Nice pickup Steve, as you've mentioned, there are a lot of non-original parts on that bike if it's truly a 1975 model, but they're a sweet bike, and everything is available, at a price.

The 1975 model had a different frame from the earlier models, and handled quite well, with decent shockers, fork springs, and tires.

The engine was so good, Suzuki copied it for the GS750/1000 models, and just built a better frame around it.

The original Z1 will always be remembered as the bike that made the CB750 obsolete, dammit! Cheers, Terry.

crazypj · « **Reply #68 on:** April 22, 2013, 11:11:52 AM »

Quote from: Terry in Australia on April 22, 2013, 12:38:19 AM

The original Z1 will always be remembered as the bike that made the CB750 obsolete, dammit! Cheers, Terry.

Yep, pretty much overnight if you were a drag racer

750K · « **Reply #69 on:** April 23, 2013, 12:21:33 AM »

And as much as I hate to say it the Z's and Kz's look nicer than the Cb's and I love a nice looking Cb, something about the look of an old Kawasaki that gets me going.

Stev-o · « **Reply #70 on:** April 23, 2013, 05:06:32 AM »

Quote from: 750K on April 23, 2013, 12:21:33 AM

And as much as I hate to say it the Z's and Kz's look nicer than the Cb's and I love a nice looking Cb, something about the look of an old Kawasaki that gets me going.

Ooh, those are fighting words around here! But I agree....

RAFster122s · « **Reply #71 on:** April 23, 2013, 06:20:31 AM »

Heretical statement, would be amusing to see the uproar if you changed your pic to have the Z in it.

Stev-o · « **Reply #72 on:** April 23, 2013, 06:23:27 AM »

Quote from: RAFster122S on April 23, 2013, 06:20:31 AM

Heretical statement, would be amusing to see the uproar if you changed your pic to have the Z in it.

Would be funny! But could get ousted...

crazypj · « **Reply #73 on:** April 23, 2013, 09:59:10 AM »

Quote from: 754 on April 21, 2013, 06:22:46 PM

Much more power than your 836? .what carb and carbs are you running in the 836?
Is the Kawi stock?

Stock Z1 was rated at 82bhp, not sure what 836 is supposed to make but should be similar when running properly

RAFster122s · « **Reply #74 on:** April 23, 2013, 10:11:31 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on April 23, 2013, 06:23:27 AM

Quote from: RAFster122S on April 23, 2013, 06:20:31 AM
Heretical statement, would be amusing to see the uproar if you changed your pic to have the Z in it.

Would be funny! But could get ousted...

So if you own 7 hondas and one kawawhacker would you be expelled for 1/8 the time?

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Author Topic: Yes, a Z1 & H1- unofficial Kawasaki thread - H2 is now a rider!!! (Read 243189 times)