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

[750K]

Love that old stuff from the day-Thought Godzilla may jump out       Credit for the video comes from a member of Rick Brett's Kawasaki Triple Club who seem like a bunch of friendly blokes.

Wish I had a triple.  Do you have a Kaw?  Your buddy has a Z1, right?

If I had some spare cash and I bit more space in the garage I'd snap up the metallic purple Kawasaki 750 triple for sale out here. It's pretty original and in molested except for one of the right side pipes.

[Retro Rocket]

One of Kawasaki’s biggest contributions to the world has got to be there donation of 14 bikes to the film producer for MAD MAX.
 
 Mad Max Motorcycle Gang

Of the motorcycles that appear in the film, 14 were Kawasaki Kz1000 donated by the industry. All were modified in appearance by Melbourne business La Parisienne – one as the MFP bike ridden by 'The Goose' and the balance for members of the Toecutter's gang, played in the film by members of a local Victorian motorcycle club, the Vigilantes.[15]

Don't forget "Stone" Godfrey, 5 years earlier and more Z900's than you can poke a stick at....

Stone Movie Trailer

[Stev-o]

You guys won't believe it but I havent seen either one of those movies

[Godffery]

Now I'm going to need to find a copy of that!
 

[Stev-o]

Now I'm going to need to find a copy of that!
 

Just ordered it.....

http://www.rakuten.com/prod/stone/208966443.html

[seanbarney41]

somebody posted a youtube link to the entire movie, on this site...it was a few years ago

[Godffery]

Groovy,
Thanks for the heads up!

[Stev-o]

I went to a vintage bike show two weeks ago, there were three Z1's there, all '73's.  I like the '75 paint scheme better and that's what I will be going with, plus mine is a '75.

Anyways, they had a small swap meet at the show. I missed getting 2 Honda tool bags for $10 by one minute! [both for $10 and one was like new with tools].
Missed out on those but got a rack of Mikunis for $10, didnt even have to negotiate! The slides were stuck but after spraying some WD and letting sit for a couple hours they are not stuck anymore.  Kinda dirty, I've seen a lot worse, but for $10, WTH?
Now a question for you Mikuni experts: How do I measure the size? I'm guessing they are 26mm...





Pulled a bowl...looks like they were drained.

[seanbarney41]

Steve-O, those look just like my Vm28ss carbs, although I think there were 26mm pumpers too that probably look much the same...read somewhere that vm28ss were second only to 29mm smoothe bores as far as performance potential

[Stev-o]

Steve-O, those look just like my Vm28ss carbs, although I think there were 26mm pumpers too that probably look much the same...read somewhere that vm28ss were second only to 29mm smoothe bores as far as performance potential

The early Z's had the 28's, then they switched 26's for easier tuning.
I dont see any markings on these. Can you please look at yours next time your at the shop?

Z1 carb ID...

http://www.z1enterprises.com/Z1CarbGuide.aspx

Mine look like the 26mm but have four screws holding the float bowl on.

[seanbarney41]

vm28ss are different from earlier vm28sc in that they have an accelerator pump circuit (kind of a dead give away).  That link does not cover these carbs.  I think they were first used on 78 or 79 Kz1000 ltd...until '81 or so?

[Stev-o]

vm28ss are different from earlier vm28sc in that they have an accelerator pump circuit (kind of a dead give away).  That link does not cover these carbs.  I think they were first used on 78 or 79 Kz1000 ltd...until '81 or so?

On the #2 carb bowl?  These have although parts are missing.

[750K]

One of Kawasaki’s biggest contributions to the world has got to be there donation of 14 bikes to the film producer for MAD MAX.
 
 Mad Max Motorcycle Gang

Of the motorcycles that appear in the film, 14 were Kawasaki Kz1000 donated by the industry. All were modified in appearance by Melbourne business La Parisienne – one as the MFP bike ridden by 'The Goose' and the balance for members of the Toecutter's gang, played in the film by members of a local Victorian motorcycle club, the Vigilantes.[15]

Don't forget "Stone" Godfrey, 5 years earlier and more Z900's than you can poke a stick at....

Stone Movie Trailer

And the actor that plays the toe cutter in mad max  is one of the main characters in stone, it's a great movie.

"Keep your spanners off our moles!!!"

[seanbarney41]

vm28ss are different from earlier vm28sc in that they have an accelerator pump circuit (kind of a dead give away).  That link does not cover these carbs.  I think they were first used on 78 or 79 Kz1000 ltd...until '81 or so?

On the #2 carb bowl?  These have although parts are missing.

yep, also you can see the pump spray jets sticking up in the mouth of all four carbs.  The pump circuit works about the same as the one's on the f model pd's.  I have cleaned mine and fiddled around but have not got the pump circuit to work yet as the pump diaphragm is hard and wrinkled and I have not put much effort into finding a replacement diaphragm yet.  Also, the pump circuit can apparently be disabled by swapping to standard float bowls and re-jetting.  I have an extra set that I would like to try on a big bore cb750, if I can manage to find workable boots someday.

[Stev-o]

Started cleaning the motor yesterday....



better, but still not done....




Before:




After...



It was really nasty, there was an oil leak from the tach cable. I replaced the seal.
I debated whether to paint the motor or not, really need to pull it to do a proper job. I'm not going to pull it just for paint, so this will do for now.

[Retro Rocket]

Looking good Steve....

[Terry in Australia]

Ha ha, the old "Rattle Can Resto", I've got an engine here that someone did a similar job on Steve, I only hope that yours is in better condition internally...........

[Stev-o]

Ha ha, the old "Rattle Can Resto", I've got an engine here that someone did a similar job on Steve, I only hope that yours is in better condition internally...........

I realize it's not a proper paint job but at least it's clean now and ready for some new pipes!

[Terry in Australia]

It's very nice Steve, and you won't be the first bloke here who's painted an engine without removing it from the frame first. Cheers, Terry.

[Sgt.Pinback]

Congrats, Steve.

This is my 73 Z1

[Stev-o]

Hey Sgt - looks to be in mint condition.  You ride it much?  Thanks for posting. 

[Stev-o]

According to KawasakiZ1.com:

For the UK and Europe, Kawasaki produced the Z1 in two colour schemes.
These were Candy Orange / Brown and Candy Yellow / Green.

Candy Orange / Brown was the most popular option and was the only option for the USA.

http://www.kawasakiz1.com/Kawasaki-Z1.html

[Sgt.Pinback]

Hey Sgt - looks to be in mint condition.  You ride it much?  Thanks for posting.

She is registrated and I drive her quite often.

I assume yours is a Z1-B, so you should look for 28mm carbs. Those carbs above seem to be Z900 26mm.

Do you have a picture from the choke lever?

[Retro Rocket]

Beautiful bike Sgt   

[Sgt.Pinback]

Thanks.