Topic: Yes, a Z1 & H1- unofficial Kawasaki thread - H2 is now a rider!!!

[Stev-o]

Not a bad idea Terry, I may try the oil trick. Always wanted a Kaw 2 stroke smoker!

You guys don't need to sell me on Kerker, it's one of my fav pipes, just don't want it on this restore.  It would be a lot cheaper but I'm not pinching pennies on this one.
Nothing like having 2 pipes on each side of a Z.

[Retro Rocket]

I often wonder if it would be possible to have the inside of the pipes ceramic coated, more cost but maybe worth it in the end...?

[Stev-o]

I often wonder if it would be possible to have the inside of the pipes ceramic coated, more cost but maybe worth it in the end...?

I believe it is.  I'm not concerned about my new pipes rusting. Humidity here is relatively low [no pun] and I'm a couple hundred miles from the coast.
My concern is which bike to sell so I have funds for the $1300 pipes?! The effin F has to go...

[crazypj]

When you install the 4 into 4's Steve, add a cap full of two stroke oil through your gas tank every few fills, it won't blow much smoke, but the two stroke oil will be "fogged" through your pipes, and this will slow down the the rusting process.

Seriously, mine had 5000 miles on the odometer when I bought it, and the pipes were rotten. It's the chroming procedure that kills 'em, a lot of the acids and salts are trapped inside the pipes once they're done, and as soon as they get moisture inside them again, the rusting starts. Blow a fine mist of oil thru 'em, and they'll last a lot longer. 

 back in the day, it wasn't just condensation and poor quality chrome, it was also the lead salts in fuel that attacked the system.
I saw a lot of bikes with good chrome but nothing to support it (especially aftermarket 4:1)

[Terry in Australia]

I often wonder if it would be possible to have the inside of the pipes ceramic coated, more cost but maybe worth it in the end...?

I believe it is.  I'm not concerned about my new pipes rusting. Humidity here is relatively low [no pun] and I'm a couple hundred miles from the coast.
My concern is which bike to sell so I have funds for the $1300 pipes?! The effin F has to go...

The problem with coating the inside of anything is making sure you don't create "wells" that will catch and hold moisture. We don't have problems with humidity here in Victoria either Steve and salty air is only a problem if you live near it, but CB750 and Z1 pipes rotted in record time, "Back in the day".

Conversely, the pipes on my 1973 Suzuki GT750J were still perfect in 1996, as they had a healthy inner coating of two stroke oil mist. Bryan might be right about lead salts in old leaded gas too, but that has probably been replaced by other chemicals that go into the production of modern fuels, including ethanol etc.

And yes, sell that fugly-arsed F, the other bikes in your garage must feel so embarrassed having to share space with that "Phylis Diller" on wheels...........

Phyllis Diller Spice Girls audition   

[RAFster122s]

Did you get that wheel rebuilt yet?

[Stev-o]

OK, finally some progress on Project Z.  The wheel has been built, I had help finishing the lacing and truing  from an experienced wheel builder, looks to be perfect.
Polished hub [thx raf], new 18" DID rim and Buchanan SS spokes, it sure is pretty.






Also installed the new bearing and seal, need to finish mounting the sprocket...










Will be mounting the new Avon tomorrow and get this Z back on the road on Friday!

[750K]

Spiffy looking wheel!

[Retro Rocket]

Looks good Steve...

[Stev-o]

Thanks guys.  The Avon is now mounted, miss riding this beast, won't be long....



BTW - The Avons are still made in England. 

[750K]

Keep your eye on them for checking and sidewall cracking, mine started cracking with under 5000kms on it. Gotta send it back soon and see if they'll warranty it, now that the #$%* weather is nearer.

[Stev-o]

Keep your eye on them for checking and sidewall cracking, mine started cracking with under 5000kms on it. Gotta send it back soon and see if they'll warranty it, now that the #$%* weather is nearer.

Already have! I bought this tire about two months back, just before I saw the Avon cracking thread. I read so many positive comments on them and wanted a high quality tire for the Z. Was it ever determined what the cause is?

[RAFster122s]

Nice looking wheel. Drum backing plate looks good. You do that?

[750K]

Not that I saw but I haven't been looking, for what it's worth I bought the same tireswithin a month or so for my kz1000 and have yet to mount them. No cracks while sitting in my garage, we'll see what happens to the other front I have. When I pull the one for warranty I'll mount the one meant for my kz on the 750a aluminum wheel I have and run it over the winter. The one that's checking and cracking wasn't bad enough to make me stop riding on it till the weather turns, love the tires otherwise.

[crazypj]

Make sure you find and fit the bearing spacer in sprocket carrier, they are a loose fit and disappear real quick.
 'We' used to keep one in stock (even though 'we' were Honda/Yamaha dealer)

[RAFster122s]

Given that we run tubes the cracking of the sidewalls on the Avon is initially a cosmetic issue, it can develop into a more severe issue/problem after it is out of warranty. It is a defect, and therefore needs remedy which Avon is willing to do. It is likely a bad run of rubber and was not caught or did not present itself for it to detected at the factory.

Firestone tires on the Explorers were good tires but, the underinflation combined with a vehicle with a high roll center and bad suspension dampening caused the tires to compound the issue leading to the roll over issues. If the owners maintained proper inflation and drove reasonably even then most emergency maneuvers would not cause a roll over. Firestone shifted production to sister tire brands, as they didn't sell many Firestone branded tires for a while, until they could rebuild their reputation.

So Steve, get bike back together yesterday/today or did you take a nice Sunday afternoon ride? (Or, there is also the honey do list and the family stuff with kids..., or the time drain of maintaining a house.)

David

[crazypj]

There were dealers recommending as low as 15psi on the Ford Explorers that rolled over after blow outs
Part of the problem seems to be 'older' people didn't like the harsh ride of Explorer and forgot to re-inflate tyres when on road trips to visit grandkids, etc.
Cruising at 70mph for a few hundred miles would obviously lead to tyres overheating
I've seen quite a few AVON's with crazing of the rubber but they wear out before the cracks get down to the cords on sidewalls, if you want a tyre that lasts without cracking, get some Continental's, they seem to last forever in storage 

[Stev-o]

The rear brakes on the Z did not feel right, so I bought some EBC's, read good reviews on these and were reasonably priced....




Installation was a breeze, included a couple dabs of grease on the cam...





Installed the wheel and rolled it out of the garage for the first time in what feels like an eternity - 2 months?
Was thinking I should of charged the battery last night, but after cranking it 3 times for a few seconds each, the Beast roared to life!
[Love how the choke raises the idle].
Was super excited now, so had to take a little ride. The rear brake feel much better, well worth the $30 for the shoes.
Ride is smooth, haven't pushed the new Avon's yet, but will in the coming weeks.
Here is the new rear... [disregard that nasty exhaust]








Took way longer than it should have but am very pleased how it came out. The recent K5 project took time away from this one but its back on the road and the good riding weather has hit Texas.

Recap on what was done:

New 18" DID rim and rim strip
New SS Buchanan spokes
New EBC brake shoes
New Sunstar 35t sprocket
New All Balls bearings
New Bridgestone tube
New 120/90-18 Avon Roadrider

Spent more than you'd think but I'm not pinchin pennies on this one, want to do right.

Next up......exhaust.

[Tews19]

She looks great... How comfy is the seat?

[seanbarney41]

Looks great Steve-O!...looking forward to the exhaust.

[Stev-o]

She looks great... How comfy is the seat?

Thanks.  Seat is fine, but I've only taken rides on 1 hour or less so far. But now that I have new tires...

[Retro Rocket]

Looks great Steve...{pipes man, pipes}   

[750K]

Just think how much more awesome it'll be with new pipes, you're going 4 into 4 right?

[crazypj]

4:4 is only couple of grand, Kawasaki started re-manufacturing them

[Stev-o]

Looks great Steve...{pipes man, pipes}   

Looks great Steve-O!...looking forward to the exhaust.

Just think how much more awesome it'll be with new pipes, you're going 4 into 4 right?

4:4 is only couple of grand, Kawasaki started re-manufacturing them

I know, I know, need pipes!  Not cheap, about $1300 plus hardware, I f needed, for the stock style 4-4.
PJ - where did you hear Kaw is making them? From what I read, they are being made by a company in Japan using the original tooling. (Z1 Ent sells them).
I know "it's only a couple of grand" but I don't use our "family money" for my bike projects.
I'm planning on selling my recent K5 project to fund the purchase.