Author Topic: KAWASAKI Z900 A4 (Read 2495 times)

Sgt.Pinback · « **on:** February 21, 2019, 02:18:46 AM »

Before x-mas last year, I bought a 1976 Z900 A4.

Its a one owner bike. PO passed away last year.
Kept it in the garage when he gave up biking in Nov. 1983.

ekpent · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2019, 06:14:39 AM »

Just the way I like to find them,dusty,dirty and all there. Great looking project Sarge.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2019, 06:38:52 PM »

Nice, same model as my first 900, what a pity its not an orange and brown Z1!

Stev-o · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2019, 06:44:21 PM »

Congrats Sgt, just a year newer than my Z1.

Sgt.Pinback · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2019, 11:10:49 PM »

Thanks guys.

Yes, everything there.
Standard handle bar came with the bike. PO mounted that ace bar directly after he bought her in 1976.
Purchase order, purchase invoice, guarranty card with service stamps, service invoices, MOT test ...
Under the seat I found an untouched tool bag and the German Owners Manual.

ken65 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2019, 01:35:15 AM »

Sweet, half ya luck. Cant wait to see it after a good detail. Hopefully the chrome is nice.

Sgt.Pinback · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2019, 02:52:52 AM »

Pipes have dings/dongs, holes, scratches and rust.
Fuel tank has three big dongs and rust inside/outside.
Chrom is OK but need a lot of TLC.
Spokes are rusty, masterbrake is stuck. Engine is free. Carbs are free.

34barab · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2019, 06:44:07 AM »

Good luck with the bike..
John

Sgt.Pinback · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2019, 11:26:30 PM »

Bike back on the street

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2019, 12:30:22 AM »

Quote from: Sgt.Pinback on February 27, 2019, 11:26:30 PM

Bike back on the street

Good job Sarge, looks great!

Sgt.Pinback · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2019, 12:39:23 AM »

Thanks!

34barab · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2019, 05:22:18 AM »

That is one fine looking Fraulein,...….a real beauty!

ekpent · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2019, 05:23:49 AM »

Cleaned up very nicely.

Sgt.Pinback · « **Reply #13 on:** February 28, 2019, 06:08:05 AM »

Basis was very good.

Apart from cleaning

- overhaul the brakes with repair kits for mastercylinder and calipers, new lines and pads
- take out the fork, clean inside and mount new oil seals
- new spokes/nipples front and rear, new tyres
- carbs out and cleaning, new fuel lines, rubbers etc
- find a good used genuine 1976 4-4 exhaust
- find a good used fuel tank in genuine factory paint
- find a right genuine handle switch
- new final chain and sprocket
- get rid of all the survace rust on chrome, bolts etc.
- new oil + filter
- new air filter
- check the valves
- sort some electical issues
- spend a new battery

and press the bottom.

emlupi · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2019, 06:15:01 AM »

Beautiful Kawi, one of my all time favorites.

ekpent · « **Reply #15 on:** February 28, 2019, 06:40:22 AM »

Sounds like you found some hard to find parts. So is it a keeper or do you plan on selling it.

NewBoots · « **Reply #16 on:** February 28, 2019, 07:17:05 AM »

Very nice looking bike. Ride it, don't hide it.
Bucky

70CB750 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2019, 07:32:24 AM »

Looking great!

Stev-o · « **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2019, 08:14:16 AM »

Great job! Also one of my fav bikes but I am bias.

Cannot believe you found a good, used exhaust, I have never seen a set for sale
[I had to spend $1300 for a re-pop set]

Sgt.Pinback · « **Reply #19 on:** February 28, 2019, 09:40:10 AM »

Yes hard find. A friend of mine had one. Maybe I will have re-chromed the upper right one.

The tank in genuine paitwas even harder to find.

I’ve done a few miles now and I already can say it drives, brakes and handles much much better than the 1973 Z1 I had. Very smooth, very solid. Much more low rev punch with those smaller carbs. A big difference to the Z1.

Not sure if I’ll keep her. One has to go, that A4 or the Z1-R.

What’s your opinion on that?

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #20 on:** February 28, 2019, 10:53:31 PM »

If it's a Z1R Mk2 keep it as they were a vast improvement over the Mk1, otherwise keep the big green bike Sarge, from my experience the Z900 was a nicer bike than the Mk1 also.

Sgt.Pinback · « **Reply #21 on:** February 28, 2019, 11:34:54 PM »

Its a D1. Lots of emotions with the Z1-R. Drove one in the 80th and 90th.

This is my second one, bought her some years ago.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #22 on:** March 01, 2019, 02:33:35 AM »

Fair enough mate, I'm not a fan, but I can see you have an emotional bent.

Stev-o · « **Reply #23 on:** March 01, 2019, 08:00:28 AM »

Quote from: Sgt.Pinback on February 28, 2019, 09:40:10 AM

Not sure if I’ll keep her. One has to go, that A4 or the Z1-R.

What’s your opinion on that?

I'd keep both! but if there has to be a decision, I'd keep the A4

ekpent · « **Reply #24 on:** March 01, 2019, 08:17:50 AM »

I know a Kaw 900 buyer and exporter who tells me those coffin tank shaped 1000's are highly sought after right now and was told to keep a keen eye out for them.

News:

Author Topic: KAWASAKI Z900 A4 (Read 2495 times)

ken65