Topic: Z1 information 1973 Z1 photos

[Terry in Australia]

True. A 1973 (or even better, a very rare late 1972 build) Z1 is worth sandcast money here, so if you pick that bike up for beer money, you're laughing.

[MauiK3]

Get the engine and frame number, that will tell you what year it is.

[Kelly E]

We're waiting for the title in the mail from the owner. The bike is at his dad's house. Once it's here we will be able to pick it up.

[MauiK3]

Does anyone know of someone who is an expert with the head of a Z1? I have not been “approved” on the KZ Rider forum or I’d ask there. There is a delay for some reason.
If my engine needs a valve job I want someone good to do it. Hondaman did my CB750 head, wonderful work.

[Terry in Australia]

I watch all of Johnnie’s Vintage Cycles videos on YouTube and bought some parts from them, they restore Z1/KZ bikes, repair them and sell lots of parts for them, I’m not sure what state they’re in, in the US, but google them and take a look at what they offer.

[MauiK3]

I've been looking at Johnny's videos, they are a bit long but each time I plow through one I learn something.
I'm waiting for my parts manual and service manual, I hope they come through soon.
The KZRider forum has a lot of stuff but it's sort of all over the place, this forum is much easier to navigate and of course, the people on it are top notch, very helpful. I have not found an equivalent forum anywhere. The JL Jeep forum is ok but there are a lot of people on it that can't wait to get their 392 Hemi Jeep so they can get to the mall or put on the angry birds grill.

[Terry in Australia]

I've been looking at Johnny's videos, they are a bit long but each time I plow through one I learn something.
I'm waiting for my parts manual and service manual, I hope they come through soon.
The KZRider forum has a lot of stuff but it's sort of all over the place, this forum is much easier to navigate and of course, the people on it are top notch, very helpful. I have not found an equivalent forum anywhere. The JL Jeep forum is ok but there are a lot of people on it that can't wait to get their 392 Hemi Jeep so they can get to the mall or put on the angry birds grill.

Yeah mate the KZ riders B pages are even worse, some of the dumbarse replies to genuine queries are just annoying. I was reading a post about repairing a dented tank, and saw the usual "Pump it up with compressed air" (doesn't work for the vast majority of dents, but will bugger your tank, as I found out 100 years ago) to punch holes in it with self tapping screws (butchery) until the group agreed that the best method was just to fill all the dents with Bondo.

God, there were so many dents in the tank that you'd have to use a shovel to fill all the dents, them lay another half inch over it to get it smooth enough to paint! I suggested that the owner take it to a panel shop and have them use their stud welder to pull the dents (the paint was shot, so no biggie) and talked about how in he old days, we'd cut the bottom out of a tank, push all the dents out, then weld/braze the bottom back in, but I'm sure someone will jump all over me saying that Bondo is king.

PDR (Paintless dent removal) was also mentioned but ignored by everyone, who favoured the bondo method. Over here Z1/KZ bikes are selling for big money, so I'd be pretty pissed off if I bought one from someone to find out that the tank was full of Bondo.

[seanbarney41]

Johnnie's Vintage Cycle is in Ohio.   I love how he does restorations...not slathering fancy new paint all over everything but paying attention to how clean original hardware makes the details stand out.

[RAFster122s]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-kawasaki-z1r-z1000s/

[MauiK3]

Z1R is interesting, I'm not a fan of the angular look but interesting. The Z1 I'm looking at  needs the title and registration sorted out so I'm not stuck with 30 years of back registration fees. The seller says he's going to do the DMV work. We'll see, that could be a deal killer our DMV here is not sympathetic.
Hopefully I'll know something soon.

[Terry in Australia]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-kawasaki-z1r-z1000s/

Ha ha, I had to laugh when I read this, "Additional features include West German model-specific frame details, a five-speed manual transmission, four Mikuni VM28SS carburetors, and a factory headlight fairing." What is "additional" about the standard fittings on a Z1R MK1? And what's with the Z1/KZ 4 into 4 pipes? For a bike that allegedly sold for 30 grand, if I was the buyer I'd be wanting the original exhaust system?

Nice, but nothing special, and back in the day the MK1 was a bit of a disappointment, the MK2 was a much nicer bike, I always thought.

Hey Maui, if you can't get it registered, buy it anyway and sell it to me for $3K, I'd be happy to have another one in my overcrowded garage!    

[ekpent]

 Like the Z1's the Z1R's are on fire right now also. See one around you better grab it 

[Terry in Australia]

Like the Z1's the Z1R's are on fire right now also. See one around you better grab it 

Yep, it's crazy what folks are paying for old bikes in general Eric, but 30K for that bike? I wouldn't be running to the bank to buy that one.

[ekpent]

Like the Z1's the Z1R's are on fire right now also. See one around you better grab it 

Yep, it's crazy what folks are paying for old bikes in general Eric, but 30K for that bike? I wouldn't be running to the bank to buy that one.

Agree !!

[MauiK3]

I guess I'm getting antsy to start. I'll be going over to inventory and see if I can't get the owner to settle the title issues. I'm also looking at putting together a little vapor honing rig because no one does it on Maui. I think I can do something with Dime City's small unit. I may need to build an auxiliary box for the crankcases. Just thinking.
This disease is bad, No cure. Watching all you great serial restorers had kept me looking for another project.
Yikes

[RAFster122s]

You would be better off sourcing the blaster from a company that either makes them or distributes them. Dime City is going to take their markup and their history of supporting their products is not good from what I have read.
Or, take the approach of building your own...

[MauiK3]

I’m struggling with the diy issue. The price points for ready made vapor machines  are pretty high in most cases. Getting stuff here to Maui can be expensive, my options are limited. I may give up and try to make one anyway. Who knows, no one here does it so maybe I could make it pay for itself.
Going tomorrow maybe to take inventory and photos.
Gulp

[Terry in Australia]

That little vapor blaster might be OK, I spoke to a guy in the US selling various size vapor blasting units, and the cheapest was around $4K from memory?  I'm surprised that there aren't a heap of Chinese knockoff's on Ebay, but I guess if I can wait a little while, it won't be long?

If you could use the components from the 999 dollar job and put them in a bigger cabinet, you might be able to build a good sized one pretty cheaply?

[Stev-o]

I guess I'm getting antsy to start.

So are we!

I plan to ride mine this weekend, a buddy from out of town is coming to visit with his VFR...

[MauiK3]

Terry
Exactly what I was thinking. From what little I know the key is in the hopper where the glass and water mix. I'm thinking of a larger wood upper box lined with 40mil vinyl sheet that sits down over the stock opening in the top of the little unit with a clear window. the upper box would be set up to drain into the lower (stock) chamber. I may need to extend hoses, not sure.
I'll post pics if I go ahead with this brain storm, or brain fart!
The upper box would need glove inserts too.

[MauiK3]

It really needs a lot of stuff, a lot of expensive stuff, here are some photos
It comes with two motors and carb sets, four discs, two tanks, one of which is in bad shape,
A new set of Wiseco 1000+ cc pistons in the box, some stock pistons out of the box.
Missing gauges, exhaust, side covers and a host of other things. The engine cases are pretty bad but the interior of the motor in the frame looks good through a bore scope. Big project, but is this hulk worth it? Owner is asking 2k.

[MauiK3]

A few more
Spare motor etc

[Terry in Australia]

I guess I'm getting antsy to start.

So are we!

I plan to ride mine this weekend, a buddy from out of town is coming to visit with his VFR...

Don’t race him Steve, if he’s a half decent rider he’ll kick your arse, my VFR750 has 103 BHP, great brakes, and goes around corners like it’s running on rails, so as lovely as a stock Z1-B is, it’s no match for Honda’s little V4 sports bike.

[MauiK3]

Based on what I saw today I built a little spread sheet of predicted costs of what I can remember is going to be needed. My spread sheet does not include shipping which changes with the wind. The project will exceed $10,000 quickly and the bike will have a lot of non original but original looking parts on it.
I wonder what it will be worth?
Additionally, I spoke with another guy here today that has a neglected but ok shape 73 that he’s owned for many years. He did a lot of work to it several years ago but switched to Harleys and now it’s collecting dust, not sure it runs. I asked him what he wants for it. I’m sure he’ll come back with a high number, it has a 4-1 header.
What to do what to do.

[Terry in Australia]

Based on what I saw today I built a little spread sheet of predicted costs of what I can remember is going to be needed. My spread sheet does not include shipping which changes with the wind. The project will exceed $10,000 quickly and the bike will have a lot of non original but original looking parts on it.
I wonder what it will be worth?
Additionally, I spoke with another guy here today that has a neglected but ok shape 73 that he’s owned for many years. He did a lot of work to it several years ago but switched to Harleys and now it’s collecting dust, not sure it runs. I asked him what he wants for it. I’m sure he’ll come back with a high number, it has a 4-1 header.
What to do what to do.

I wasn't joking when I said that you should buy the rough one for $2K and sell it to me for $3K mate, it is a big job for sure, but you could buy it and flip it and make an extra 1000 bucks for your efforts, then go buy the nicer one? Let me know and I'll zip some bucks your way. I don't have any immediate plans for another Z1 project, but as you know, I do love a project.......