Topic: Z1 information 1973 Z1 photos

[Terry in Australia]

Just a note for Terry - don't buy anything from overseas with a manufacture date after 01 July 1975!  Imported bikes made after that date will need a VASS certificate (everything on the bike has to be OEM, i.e. brake lines, exhaust, etc).  I have had a few club members caught out by this...

Thanks Trevor, and yep, I won't, I ran into that when I got my club permit for my 1970 K0, the nice lady at VICROADS (DMV) started talking about VASS certificates, but then corrected herself when she realised that it was much older than after 1975. My 1975 Z1B will be a 1974 Z1A on my club permit, because I have no idea what month it was built, and I'm not going to take any chances, I'm even putting Z1-A badges on it.......

[Trevor from Warragul]

My 1975 Z1B will be a 1974 Z1A on my club permit

It was most likely manufactured in 1974 or early 1975!

[Terry in Australia]

My 1975 Z1B will be a 1974 Z1A on my club permit

It was most likely manufactured in 1974 or early 1975!

Yep, dead right, and my Z1B frame doesn't have any rivet holes on the right hand side of the steering head, so it never had a VIN tag anyway, but I don't want to take any chances, you know what those VICROADS folks are like, they'd rather palm you off than just take your money and give you the permit.

[Kelly E]

My 1975 Z1B will be a 1974 Z1A on my club permit

It was most likely manufactured in 1974 or early 1975!

Yep, dead right, and my Z1B frame doesn't have any rivet holes on the right hand side of the steering head, so it never had a VIN tag anyway, but I don't want to take any chances, you know what those VICROADS folks are like, they'd rather palm you off than just take your money and give you the permit.

Terry, there's no rivet holes because it is/was a sticker.

[MauiK3]

Hey Down Under folks, What are VASS certifications?

[Terry in Australia]

My 1975 Z1B will be a 1974 Z1A on my club permit

It was most likely manufactured in 1974 or early 1975!

Yep, dead right, and my Z1B frame doesn't have any rivet holes on the right hand side of the steering head, so it never had a VIN tag anyway, but I don't want to take any chances, you know what those VICROADS folks are like, they'd rather palm you off than just take your money and give you the permit.

Terry, there's no rivet holes because it is/was a sticker.

In the US you only had stickers mate, over here we had aluminium plates. Different rules for different countries that they were exported to.

[Kelly E]

My 1975 Z1B will be a 1974 Z1A on my club permit

It was most likely manufactured in 1974 or early 1975!

Yep, dead right, and my Z1B frame doesn't have any rivet holes on the right hand side of the steering head, so it never had a VIN tag anyway, but I don't want to take any chances, you know what those VICROADS folks are like, they'd rather palm you off than just take your money and give you the permit.

Terry, there's no rivet holes because it is/was a sticker.

In the US you only had stickers mate, over here we had aluminium plates. Different rules for different countries that they were exported to.

Cool, now I have mask it with blue tape and then three good layers at least of electrical tape to preserve it during sandblasting.

[Terry in Australia]

Hey Down Under folks, What are VASS certifications?

Here you go mate, you can read all about it here. I've got a minty 1978 Kawasaki KZ750 twin coming next week, it's an import, so I guess I'll need to get a VASS certificate for it.

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/vehicle-modifications-and-defects/vehicle-modifications/vass-approval-certificate

[Trevor from Warragul]

I've got a minty 1978 Kawasaki KZ750 twin coming next week, it's an import, so I guess I'll need to get a VASS certificate for it.

If it's bog standard, it should fly through the VASS.  You're probably looking at around $500.00 for the certificate.  My advice is (and feel free to completely ignore this) to place the bike on full rego.  When you do this, the VASS examiner will rivet a blue VASS plate on the frame, which is permanent proof the bike complies.  The only downside is you have to pay stamp duty on the purchase price.  After a month or so, put the bike on a permit, and VicRoads will refund the balance of the rego.  I reckon it's worth doing this, because the bike will be way easier to sell later on.

[Terry in Australia]

I've got a minty 1978 Kawasaki KZ750 twin coming next week, it's an import, so I guess I'll need to get a VASS certificate for it.

If it's bog standard, it should fly through the VASS.  You're probably looking at around $500.00 for the certificate.  My advice is (and feel free to completely ignore this) to place the bike on full rego.  When you do this, the VASS examiner will rivet a blue VASS plate on the frame, which is permanent proof the bike complies.  The only downside is you have to pay stamp duty on the purchase price.  After a month or so, put the bike on a permit, and VicRoads will refund the balance of the rego.  I reckon it's worth doing this, because the bike will be way easier to sell later on.

That sounds like a good idea Trevor, the only thing the bike is missing is the original factory grab rail, but everything else is as it left the factory.

[Stev-o]

Mercy - Z1's coming out of the woodwork all of a sudden. Like Terry says grab them when you can ! The 9/74 might be a Z1A as they are called. Great score for what you paid.

My Z1B [1975] was manufactured 12/74....number 68,099

[MauiK3]

So say for example you are working on an early CB 750 and you add the second disc, it looks as if a VASS cert will be needed even though the forks and bike in general were designed to have the second disc?
Hawaii actually has a somewhat similar process on Oahu only for modified vehicles but I don't think it goes into that much detail, they are mostly looking at insanely lifted trucks, which is a disease here.

[Terry in Australia]

Yeah I don’t know enough about VASS certification apart from it being something best avoided. The good thing here is that the VICROADS people don’t have to see my bikes once my roadworthy inspection has been done, so I don’t have to worry about them nitpicking, just because they can. Pre-1975 is what I’ll stick with. I’ll have to check my Z1-B frame number now so I can see when it was born!

[Trevor from Warragul]

So say for example you are working on an early CB 750 and you add the second disc, it looks as if a VASS cert will be needed even though the forks and bike in general were designed to have the second disc?

This is a tricky question.  Obtaining a VASS for a modified imported bike could be problematic.  Generally speaking, the bike has to be "as it left the factory".  Even then, the headlight might need to be changed (USA bikes dip to the incorrect side for Australia).  However, once the bike has passed its initial VASS & has been issued a Club Permit, "period" modifications are generally allowed.  For example, you can swap motors, as long as there is not a "significant power increase" (no more than 40% higher), and the new motor is "of the era".  Dual brakes using OEM Honda parts would be fine.  Cast iron discs are also fine.

As Secretary of a classic Italian motorcycle club, I've had to become very familiar with the rules!

[ekpent]

Mercy - Z1's coming out of the woodwork all of a sudden. Like Terry says grab them when you can ! The 9/74 might be a Z1A as they are called. Great score for what you paid.

My Z1B [1975] was manufactured 12/74....number 68,099

Thought I would check out my tag Steve on my 1975 to see if we were close.Dug out this picture but can't see the date darn it. Will have to check in person for it next time I hit the shop. Here is a picture also of a front frame bracket close to the steering head that the Z1 guys are always concerned about. It is not rare that these are sometimes cracked. Something to check out when your looking a bike over.

[MauiK3]

Went to see the 73 Z1 I’ve known about since 2012. It went down my street once.
It doesn’t run right now, has about 45,000 miles on it per the owner, Speedo is not the original due to damage. Original Canadian market bike, brought there by the current owner many years ago. Hand cranks over easily. Frame looks sound. Some issues: Has pods, no sign of the plenum,  manual cam chain tensioner, rusty chrome everywhere, after market disc, most of the tubing and hose clamps are automotive, King and queen seat, 4-1 exhaust and other stuff. Clutch feels very stiff, could be just from sitting 9 years.
Owner reports it was always hard to start, perhaps slow speed circuit issues in the Mikunis. I don’t know much about them at this point.
I think I may try to get it but it needs a lot of TLC which might be fun. The motor would be taken apart for inspection, especially after seeing the tensioner. The tank looks ok, paint might be salvageable.
I may get both this bike and the 74 semi basket case with two motors, not sure yet.

[ekpent]

 Presents pretty well in the pictures.

[754]

  RC pipe, maybe EBC rotor.. i would ckean it and run as is....

[MauiK3]

A few things cause me to be concerned about any work done on it, especially work I can’t see.
The fork axle clamps are tightened with the gaps the wrong way.
It has a manual cam chain tensioner.
All the hoses have auto hose clamps

I know it may be nit picky but I always think about what other things were done without benefit of proper attention to detail. I suppose I need to just pay the piper to find out.
Since it actually does not run I think I need to try to negotiate a bit.

[Terry in Australia]

Well it looks like a 1973 model, the tank has been repainted (poorly) but that's not a deal killer, the manual cam chain tensioner may indicate that the engine's been hotted up so it might be full of RC or Yoshi parts, over here it's still worth a lot more than the seller is asking there, but I wouldn't be unhappy if he stuck to his guns and wanted full fare. It looks like it needs some work, but as I said before, the 73 Z1 is the holy grail of Z1's, and Kawasaki isn't making any more of them.

[Stev-o]

The fork axle clamps are tightened with the gaps the wrong way.
All the hoses have auto hose clamps

These would be the least of my concerns.  "Shadetree" mechanics typically put things together w/o looking at manuals and buy parts at local stores rather than ordering the proper part.

That is an early Z1 and valuable!   Here is a good webpage explaining the VINs...


https://www.z1enterprises.com/blog/kawasaki-z1-kz900-numbers-guide/

[ekpent]

  Good stuff Steve, did not know about all the component codes. And yes like the 750 people the Kaw 900 folks are really into the numbers, the lower the better. Might be your one big shot at getting one of these good early ones.

[MauiK3]

Ok, my wonderful wife did some research too and agrees with you guys, it’s a worthy project. I’ll make an offer this week.

I may also get the other package of 74 frame, two engines, etc.

When I start the project I’ll start a new thread, maybe title it Maui 73 Z1 , very unique (not)

[Stev-o]

Ok, my wonderful wife did some research too and agrees with you guys...

She's a keeper!

[MauiK3]

Yes, as of June 2, 42 years of keeper!!
The miracle is that she kept me!!
Thank you