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Z1000a1 - not sure what I have or where to start

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csx355
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Z1000a1 - not sure what I have or where to start

#1 PostAuthor: csx355 » Mon May 01, 2017 7:08 pm

Hi all - long post here so my apologies in advance. Some time ago I acquired a stripped Z1000a. It was a bike that I had seen complete albeit rough quite a few years ago in someones back garden. The frame number is KZ00A-026433 and it is now registered in my name on a 'S' 77/78 plate - I believe it to be a genuine UK bike. I was not sure wether to sell it as is or have a bash at a little (sic) resto. I think that now I would like to have a go.

I have only just gotten round to sorting through the boxes that came with it and there appears to be original spares from two bikes. I'm guessing that the previous owner must have started gathering kit for a re-build.

So I need some help, suggestions and advice before I get started. My plan is to re-vive the bike to a running, usable and reasonably original condition. I don't think I am capable of a full blown restoration compared to the quality of the projects on this forum having said that I don't want to spend out and end up with something that looks like a mutt. I would like it to be as original as practically possible but as can be seen the exhaust with the bike is a 4-1 aftermarket to start with.

There are two tanks - a 'fat' one and a 'thinner' one both sprayed maroon - Checking with DVLA I think the original colour was Metallic blue green which I think is ace. Which tank is correct?
Image

There are also several headlamp bowls, two chrome one good one rough and one satin black.
Image
Several rear lamp assemblies one square and one with angled edges, a couple of air boxes, identical from what I can see. Just two indicators with bizarre angled brackets? Rears I'm guessing.
Image
Three rear callipers and two front - the rears appear to be identical - two rear master cylinders. A centre stand with an agricultural repair! Some munty looking rear shocks that have reflectors on them that makes me think they might be from an import.

Two tail sections and two sets of side panels - both reasonable condition one with badges.

Two banks of carbs - one seems to have had some attention Image

There is also some gearbox parts with a broken selector fork that does not fill me full of confidence with what I might find in the motor.

The loom is complete but in that horrible, sticky, nasty condition and has been lifted from the bike along with the battery box, coils etc. Is it better to buy a new pattern one or refurb and restore the original? I also have several sets of clocks, shrouds, some new chrome covers and other chrome work. Two sets of handlebar Switch gear all needing work, and a couple of sets of forks including some new unused stanchions from Z power.

The wheels are wire with decent rims and what look like stainless spokes, the hubs will need vapour blasting. The frame is good the saddle is poor.

I really would welcome any pointers, tips, tricks and recommendations to get the ball rolling.

My plan is to blast and powder coat the frame and tin ware, get the tank (which one?) and panels sprayed in the metallic blue green - any idea of paint codes please? also any pics of what the original paintwork / badges / pin striping would be helpful. I plan to send the chrome off for plating, bizarrely the footrest mounts and prop-stand are chromed - is this standard? - Other bits and bobs I intend to send off for zinc plating any recommendations for either / both welcome.

Today I prepped the frame for blasting and powder coating. Normally I would pop the tapered races out before fitting a new headset when the frame comes back. Any tips for getting the old race seats out as the seats seem to be tapped into the headtube 'blind' with no provision to get a purchase on them.

And Breathe . . . .

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Re: Z1000a1 - not sure what I have or where to start

#2 PostAuthor: Jay1969 » Mon May 01, 2017 7:43 pm

The thinner tank is more than likey off a KZ LTD.
The frame number relates to USA KZ.

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Re: Z1000a1 - not sure what I have or where to start

#3 PostAuthor: warren3200gt » Mon May 01, 2017 7:52 pm

Thinner tank looks 650 to me. 650s also have single hole headlamp shells. Dont know what those indicators are off but they dont look z anything.
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Re: Z1000a1 - not sure what I have or where to start

#4 PostAuthor: Jay1969 » Mon May 01, 2017 7:57 pm

Good luck with the rebuild :up

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Re: Z1000a1 - not sure what I have or where to start

#5 PostAuthor: csx355 » Mon May 01, 2017 8:05 pm

Excellent - glad I asked now - ref the frame number I missed a bit not sure that it will make a difference but in full it is

KZT00A-026433

If the frame is from an imported US bike I might have a bit of a re-think on the direction I take.

I just checked Zedder out and the numbers tie up with a Japanese made bike as opposed to a US made frame.

(Japan MFR)
KZTOOA000101 - 026623

(USA MFR)
KZTOOA500001 - 507026

Am I getting confused with US made and Imported versus UK bike?
Last edited by csx355 on Mon May 01, 2017 8:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Z1000a1 - not sure what I have or where to start

#6 PostAuthor: chrisNI » Mon May 01, 2017 8:26 pm

I'm not sure the frame number can tell you if it's a US bike or not, it's certainly one of the later A1s, the A2s started at 27501. If you have the documents it should say when it was first registered in the UK if it's '77 or '78 (or even '79 at a stretch) it's UK. Mine's a 24xxx and t didn't leave the dealer until this very day in 1st May ''78They didn't really start importing Zeds from the US in a big way until the early nineties.

Good basis for a project you have there you can make a decent Z1000 without going down the full resto route - which is a world of pain anyway.... :D

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Re: Z1000a1 - not sure what I have or where to start

#7 PostAuthor: Gus » Mon May 01, 2017 8:31 pm

I make it a Jap built late Z1000 A1

A2's started at FRAME NUMBER: KZT00A-027501

https://www.z-power.co.uk/merchantmanag ... php?pId=21

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Re: Z1000a1 - not sure what I have or where to start

#8 PostAuthor: Jay1969 » Mon May 01, 2017 8:32 pm

Apologies, my mistake.

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Re: Z1000a1 - not sure what I have or where to start

#9 PostAuthor: csx355 » Mon May 01, 2017 8:58 pm

Just checked my V5 - this shows it as first registered 24/08/1977 with the frame and engine numbers correct with what I have. FWIW It also shows the colour as 'Blue' although this could have been changed. Engine number is KZT00AE 41xxx - Not really sure what all this means but as I said I think that if it was not a UK bike I might go down a slightly different route.

Apologies, my mistake.


No need - I am happy for all the help I can get - appreciate the input.

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Re: Z1000a1 - not sure what I have or where to start

#10 PostAuthor: Jay1969 » Mon May 01, 2017 9:00 pm

Garry. L is your man for all this sort of detail, especially the colour :up

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Re: Z1000a1 - not sure what I have or where to start

#11 PostAuthor: ADRIAN H » Mon May 01, 2017 9:07 pm

warren3200gt wrote:Thinner tank looks 650 to me. 650s also have single hole headlamp shells. Dont know what those indicators are off but they dont look z anything.


+ 1 good luck with your project.
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Re: Z1000a1 - not sure what I have or where to start

#12 PostAuthor: chrisNI » Mon May 01, 2017 10:09 pm

It is a UK bike then if it was first registered in the UK in 1977. Blue was what Kawasaki called the greeny blue or bluey green they came in the other option was red - which was red. Engine number is reasonably consistent with the frame number these were quite far apart on the late A1s and A2s.

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Re: Z1000a1 - not sure what I have or where to start

#13 PostAuthor: Jay1969 » Mon May 01, 2017 10:11 pm

Diamond Sky Blue for the blue - http://www.zedder.com/Info/77%20KZ1000-A1.htm
Diamond Wine Red for the red.

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Re: Z1000a1 - not sure what I have or where to start

#14 PostAuthor: chrisNI » Mon May 01, 2017 10:16 pm

Yeah but Diamond Sky Blue was far from Blue on quite a few of them...as discussed a few days ago here

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Re: Z1000a1 - not sure what I have or where to start

#15 PostAuthor: Jay1969 » Mon May 01, 2017 10:25 pm

I guess Garry.L would be more technical on this, but I was merely referring to the actual name Kawasaki gave to their blue option.

The blue in the bike that was for sale looks a lot more blue to me in it's factory finish,
whereas Warren's is obviously a respray near as dammit to the original.


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