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Author Topic: Do I really want a Z1?  (Read 4291 times)

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Offline grumpy

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Do I really want a Z1?
« on: November 17, 2012, 12:54:15 PM »
So I've got t in my head that I want an early 70s Z1.

Do I?

How do they compare to a 750K maintenance wise?

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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2012, 01:40:16 PM »
Yes, you do want one!  And so do I.

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Offline simon#42

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2012, 01:41:08 PM »
why would you not want one ?
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Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2012, 01:49:20 PM »
Simple answer .....YES..... 8)
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2012, 02:45:08 PM »
Great bike, looks magnificent, has a bulletproof engine, and only so/so handling. Over here they're selling for around $10K more than what I think they're worth, but they are very collectable. I wouldn't buy one for $12-25K (what they're asking for them here) when I could buy so many new bikes for the same money that are just so much better. If you can get one for cheap, buy it and keep it for your retirement fund. Cheers, Terry.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2012, 03:35:17 PM »
Nicely restored examples are selling for $10K+ here too. But, there are unrestored Z1's selling for $3-4K. Not as easy to find as a CB750, Kaw did not make anywhere near as many.  But parts are plentiful.
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

oldbob

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2012, 03:39:10 PM »
I think it comes down to why you want one. As others have said, great motors and possibly less-than-great handling. For me, a Z1 would bring back the memories. That's why I have two 70s bike now. But (insight coming), when I get back on one of my 21st century bikes, I'm blown away by how well they do everything.

Sure, I would buy a Z1 in a heartbeat if the right deal came along, but I would probably get pretty much the same fix with the new Honda CB1100, and it would have 21st century technology.

Bob
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Offline grumpy

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2012, 03:53:35 PM »
Why do I want one?

Cuz they're COOL!!!!
But, yeah, they're getting way expensive.

I hear what you're saying about throwing a ton of $ at an old machine but I just don't like new bikes - except the new Bonnevilles. Even then I still like my 750 and Z1s (and R90/6s) better.

Of course there's this beast. Best of both worlds...




For only $40k  :o :o
http://www.ac-sanctuary.co.jp/rcm-138-z1/
« Last Edit: November 17, 2012, 04:12:09 PM by grumpy »
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Offline seanbarney41

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #8 on: November 17, 2012, 04:22:00 PM »
...might consider a 77-79' kz1000, better brakes, better handling, more cc's, and cheaper buy in...then it's pretty easy to bolt on z1 parts for the looks.  I hope to have my '78 kz1000 on the road by spring.
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #9 on: November 17, 2012, 07:38:02 PM »
Quote from: grumpy on November 17, 2012, 03:53:35 PM
Why do I want one?

Cuz they're COOL!!!!
But, yeah, they're getting way expensive.

I hear what you're saying about throwing a ton of $ at an old machine but I just don't like new bikes - except the new Bonnevilles. Even then I still like my 750 and Z1s (and R90/6s) better.

Of course there's this beast. Best of both worlds...




For only $40k  :o :o
http://www.ac-sanctuary.co.jp/rcm-138-z1/


That's a beautiful Z1 mate, but a collector would be horrified, even if that is a massive improvement over a stocker. I love it! ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Xnavylfr

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #10 on: November 18, 2012, 05:20:11 AM »
Had a 78 Z , bored to 1075cc and it could burn up the road. The only drawback  is the valves are adjusted by shimming and if it's not correct , the very FIRST time you turn the crank you bend a valve!! ASK me how I know... A time consuming job. Some of the Zs had SOB=shim on bottom which required you to completely remove both cams and buckets to change shims. LOTS O FUN!!!
Wish I had kept mine but traded for a 1600cc V-TWIN Cruiser.



Xnavylfr(CHUCK)
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Offline simon#42

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #11 on: November 18, 2012, 05:39:35 AM »
you have to get it all very very wrong to bend the valves chuck !
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Offline thrutheframe

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #12 on: November 18, 2012, 07:09:33 AM »
yes
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Offline Xnavylfr

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #13 on: November 18, 2012, 10:10:12 AM »
Yes I agree. the timing was off and I didn't check that first before starting to shim.. I also found out you can do the valve shimming with the head off the bike by measuring and turning the cams with a strap wrench.

Xnavylfr(CHUCK)
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Offline madScientist

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #14 on: November 18, 2012, 06:14:53 PM »
Sean is right. The kz1000 handles much better than the Z1...it was also a tad quicker. However it still doesn't handle as good as mah Honda. Kaw seemed to have been focused more on the straight line than curves. The Z and the KZ are both VERY quick and with some simple adjustments can be made quicker...most of it is bolt in stuff!

The KZ i dragged had a welded J crank, 1500cc bores, and mikuni smoothbores...sucker would RUN! However if I'm going to ride a Kaw I'm going to stick with the H2 for straight lines :-D
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Offline toytuff

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #15 on: November 21, 2012, 03:21:04 PM »
Oh yeah, I want one and I found one too!

Offered $9500 cash. No sale.

It's still there and my name is still in the pot.

tt

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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #16 on: November 21, 2012, 06:06:26 PM »
Quote from: toytuff on November 21, 2012, 03:21:04 PM
Oh yeah, I want one and I found one too!

Offered $9500 cash. No sale.

It's still there and my name is still in the pot.

tt



If/when you buy that, I'm coming out to AZ to ride!
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline grumpy

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Re: Do I really want a Z1?
« Reply #17 on: November 22, 2012, 10:24:42 AM »
This one's about 2hrs from me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/271102543570

Too bad f'n property taxes are due in 2-1/2 weeks.
Think I could give the county an IOU?
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