Topic: Z1 information 1973 Z1 photos

[MauiK3]

I’m trying to resist but I think I may do another restoration.
A fellow here has a pretty rough Z1, I think a 1974 by the engine number Z1E 21333.
The motor is supposedly fresh with .050 over pistons, bore scope photo looks clean inside.
The package comes with 2 complete motors, two carb sets, two tanks, one of which is excellent. The frame is sound, the rest is rough and there may be some missing parts such as stock exhaust. It has dual disks.
He’s asking $2k
The outside of the motor is pretty rough, it needs to be vapor honed or cleaned up some way.
Any thoughts?
I think 2k is high but I could be wrong. Judging by the condition this one would cost a lot more than my K3 750 to make right.

[MauiK3]

The reason I post this here is that this forum seems much more helpful, the Z1 information on line seems limited, which is troubling. Maybe I’ve missed something.

[Kelly E]

I'm looking for Z1 information too. We recently got a rough but complete 73' Z1 for really cheap. I have not seen it in person yet but at $250 we couldn't say no.

[BenelliSEI]

The reason I post this here is that this forum seems much more helpful, the Z1 information on line seems limited, which is troubling. Maybe I’ve missed something.

A few years ago, I did a KZ1000. Just about anything is available (for a price). You should be able to do an estimate on what you need?

[754]

 I once bought a stuck Z1 lower end thinking 73 should be worth a bit. I believe serial number was around 24,xxx so i figured 73.  But it turned out to be 74... not so many Kawis made as I thought.
 Dont know where the number went to in 73 ... but look for any evidence of black paint.... the one I had was silver.l

[ekpent]

If you look at the availability and selling prices of Z1's nowadays 2K may be a very fair price for a descent core. Japanese are scooping them up right now big time. Gotta picture of it as it stands right now ?

[MauiK3]

I guess I'll go over to the fellows shop and inventory the beast and take some photos.

[BenelliSEI]

I guess I'll go over to the fellows shop and inventory the beast and take some photos.

That’s how it starts! Project Alert!!

[MauiK3]

I'll also inventory what he has for it to get some idea of what's missing. Dangerous stuff.

As I look around there are precious few running Z1's for sale. If I decided I didn't want to keep it I could sell it, I think.
I would need to find a good shop manual since even though the motor is in good shape, the outside of it is terrible, I'd need to take it apart to clean it up, I think the 74's were silver, not black. I also would want to check the interior condition so I'd be confidant it was sound.

I wish Hondaman had written a book about them, that would help!!

[754]

74 is silver.

[MauiK3]

Thank you, I thought so.
In looking for a manual a guy on EBAY has a "Download a manual" site and you get a cd mailed as well. I asked him if I could just buy the cd, full price. He sent a very, very weird answer and said no.

Red flag
Ran the other way.

[Stev-o]

Hey Maui.....pretty sure you know that I have a Z1, I bought it 8 years ago.   

I would make an offer on that deal in a minute, Z1's are highly collectable and valuable.  There is a lot of information out there, unfortunately no forum as good as this one.

Prolly the best Kaw forum is:    https://www.kzrider.com/

https://kzrider.com/forum/forum-index/23-for-sale/615739-1973-z1f-13502-hot-rod-1200cc-built-motor-and-z1f-08148-totally-tuned-up

There are two very good suppliers, I used Z1parts.net for restoration parts I needed...

https://z1parts.net/z1-900/

Z1 Enterprises is very good too...

https://www.z1enterprises.com/motorcycles/Kawasaki/Z1/all-models/1974

If you did not get carried away doing a "nut and bolt" restoration, I would be very confident you could at least break even or even make a little money [but I dont know the market on the Islands]

As much as I love my Honda CB's, the Z1 is an incredible bike that I fell honored to have as part of my collection and is one of my favorites.
It is a very significant bike in motorcycle history of the 1970's.

https://www.cycleworld.com/kawasaki-z1-motorcycle-history-cycle-world-classics-remembered/

I rode mine about two weeks ago...happy to answer any questions you may have.

[Stev-o]

In looking for a manual....

I have the Clymer....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/131101462123?epid=1012151709&hash=item1e86418e6b:g:NjwAAMXQVERS4rAD

The motors were basically the same for years '73-76, carbs changed.

[MauiK3]

Thank you Steve-o and others, this is the best forum, I ordered a used shop manual on EBAY that seemed to be an ok source, I'm talking myself into the project and I may not be able to control it. From what I can see it should be ok whether I decide to keep it or sell it. I was always a CB750 guy but hey, in my old age, adding a little change is good, keeps the brain working. I may be checking in with you all for some details.

[MauiK3]

Steve-o
Your Z1 is a 74? I'm not quite astute enough yet to spot all the differences. The side reflectors, silver engine, round tail light make me think 74.

[Stev-o]

Steve-o
Your Z1 is a 74?

Its a '75 AKA Z1B, last year.   

BTW - they were only made three model years [for USA], approx only 85,000 bikes.   In 1976, it had the same 903cc motor but was now called the KZ900.

A couple more good reads to get you pumped!

https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/1973-kawasaki-z1

https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/kawasaki-kz900-zmwz12sozbea/

[MauiK3]

You’re killing me, I’m already figuring out how to make some more room for the project. I ordered a Z1 restoration book from Amazon.
By the way, are the silver engines bare aluminum or did they paint them?
I’m being sucked in, I can feel the tug.
You’ll be sick when you see how ugly this thing is, it’s bad but saveable
The guy that has it now is a very creative fellow, he modified a 1600 Gold Wing by removing a lot of weight, sort of made a hooligan dragster out of it and went to the local track and I think he said he got into the high 12s with a stock engine.

[Stev-o]

By the way, are the silver engines bare aluminum or did they paint them?

They are "naked", my H1 & H2 are the same. 

When I rebuilt my H2, I had the entire motor [heads, cylinders & cases] vapor blasted. 
It is the best way to restore these motors.

[MauiK3]

Great news as this one I'm looking at is in need of vapor blasting, badly in need.

[Terry in Australia]

Buy it mate, $2K for a Z1/Z1A/Z1B is a bargain, regardless of condition. I started 2 Zed (Zee in the US) builds last year, but got sidetracked with a couple of Honda 750 builds, but I must get back to them, I have a 1975 Z1B like Steve's (same bodywork and color) but it is a hotrod Moriwaki 1100cc engine, with welded and indexed crank, ported head, Norris cams, underbucket shims, bigger valves, 33mm smoothbore carbs, Dyna 2000 ignition, Delkevic 4 into 1 etc.

I also have a 1977 Z1000 (KZ1000 in the US and Canada only, the rest of the world's bikes were designated Z1000, the German Concentration camps in WW2 were designated "KZ", so Kawasaki was a bit more politically correct for bikes sold in Europe especially) mine's a hotrod again, 1428cc Arias big block, welded and indexed crank, heavy duty everything, GPZ1100 head, 40mm flatslide carbs, Moriwaki exhaust, Brembo brakes, and repro Z1 bodywork, as it looks better than Z900/1000 plastics. I must get back to them and finish them this year, I keep forgetting I have them until I see threads like these and I'm reminded that I better get my arse into gear and get them going again.

They are great bikes, I had a 1976 Z900 back in the 80's and rode the wheels off it, and was blown away by the 80 BHP. Nowadays 80 BHP doesn't feel  all that powerful when I have bikes with 140(+) BHP, but the Zed's (Zee's) were exciting bikes, back in the day, and they're still great fun to ride now. This is a pic of my Z1000 "Mad Max" bike before it morphed into a 1428, but the new big block engine hasn't made it back into the frame yet.

Regarding manuals, I managed to buy copies of the factory workshop manual and parts manual. If your bike is in bits, the parts manual is invaluable. If you buy it and have any "leftovers" let me know, I still need a few things.  

Monday Zed meandering 24 Feb 2020 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Mad Max 28 Apr 2020 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

1428 kick starter fix 18 Jul 2020 2 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

[MauiK3]

Well now, I guess I should jump into the rabbit hole!
I'll get some photos of the basket case.

[Terry in Australia]

Well now, I guess I should jump into the rabbit hole!
I'll get some photos of the basket case.

Go for it mate, Z1's are very collectable now, and much thinner on the ground than Honda 750's etc, so going for big bux. I almost bought a tatty Z1B in 2019, it was a US import and had spent a lot of time outside, but ran great, and the owner just threw me the keys and told me to ride it like I stole it, and it still had plenty of poke. His asking price was $12K AUD ($9200 USD) and I thought that was quite reasonable for a "heavily patina-d" but good running Z1B.

[Kelly E]

We are hopefully getting this 73' for $250. We tried to get it last year for $500. It's from the guy who bought it because he finally realized that he is in way over his head.

[Terry in Australia]

We are hopefully getting this 73' for $250. We tried to get it last year for $500. It's from the guy who bought it because he finally realized that he is in way over his head.

Bargain! That's be closer to 5 grand here! (I paid over $2K USD for a bare frame for my Z1B) Not sure if that's a '73 though, the sidecover badges are '75 Z1-B items.

[Kelly E]

I have only seen the pictures. I won't believe anything until it is actually here. No matter what year it is it will be fun to resurrect.