I didn't use the tool at all - just straight use of the impact driver. It was magic ! :D I did waste a long time a previously pulling like crazy on a breaker bar (of impressive length) whilst trying to hold the clutch tool in place - with many slips from the EBC tool. I notice that the original Kawa...

Thanks Scott - Where did you source a Kawasaki set from ?

I'm thinking ahead as I finish taking the KZ1000 motor apart for a full rebuild and thought I'd ask about gasket sets. I'll be after a full set, all the seals etc. and wanted to hear any do's and don'ts from folks out there who have much more experience than me. Are there preferred gasket sets and o...

If you are after a clutch holding tool to remove the centre nut of the clutch - I have just been through that - '78 Z1000 A2 US import. I bought an EBC one and it wasn't really worth it. The tool is cut out from a single sheet of steel, so is fairly 2 dimensional if you can picture it. The splines o...

Great thank you both. My guilty secret is the damage I did to the existing clutch basket during this process - :oops: - so it needs to come off and be swapped with a spare I have lurking in the shed. To the friendly garage I go then.... will try to keep the small forward steps in progress going. I m...

The worlds slowest project strip-down / rebuild of my 1000 A2 continues. I'm currently stripping the engine down to check out everything and refresh some parts before getting the cases vapour blasted. I've not done a Zed engine before but worked on a few of my bikes and been into an XS1100 this far ...

Really nice looking bike glad you've got it on the road. I am at engine stripping stage at the moment on my 1000 A2, but have my eye on the prize and keep seeing things I like. One of them is your seat - really nice profile and cover, do you know where it comes from ?

Haa haa - well Phillipe, family life has restricted time in the workshop and I haven't been back to finish off the job yet - terrible I know. This weekend looked set for the final lift out but my mate who is going to help went out on a bike trip over to France and messed up my plans. I am "home...

Not tried this recently so can't offer any tried and tested solution. I have seen a method of getting the centre stand spring on by expanding it and fitting something between the coils so that it is long enough to easily fit. It was with pennies with the centre stand, not sure if you have room for t...

Thanks for the encouragement Phillipe. There was a time, many years ago, when I was stupid (and stronger) and lifted old Jap fours out of frames and up onto benches on my own.... That's probably why my back has niggles sometimes these days due to all the damage I have done. I did use a jack and vari...

Well I had some time in the shed over the weekend and took off the cam cover and top cam jockey wheel.... all seemed in good condition inside. I have had this engine running briefly after buying the bike and it sounded quiet enough - so I didn’t expect a problem. 08A4DD8E-670D-4473-A81D-B611A25BB1BB...

Brilliant - thank you, that is certainly the sort of solution I think I need. That piston seizes well in there doesn't it ! Thanks also on the strip out of the discs from the reservoir cup. I was thinking of this just to make sure that I thoroughly cleaning any crud out of there. Will probably revie...

Thanks both for the responses. Hopefully have some time this weekend to get back to it. I'm a bit reticent to take the head off now unless I really have to as the unbolted engine (in the frame) is on the shed floor and it'd be awkward to do much work down there comfortably. Think that's my anticipat...

I've used a pin-punch and gentle to moderate taps with a small hammer. Maybe a bit of heat to encourage them to 'unstick' and / or a penetrating oil soaking. If they are well and truly stuck together you may need to get more forceful but always bear in mind that the alloy posts are a little fragile.

Lovely job - really good looking Z1R too. Curious about your rear brake reservoir rebuild as I have one on the bench at the minute that's resisting me a little. The reservoir is pretty old and gungy and I'm struggling to get the piston out under the reservoir. It's presently sitting upside down and ...