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Out with the old and in with the even older! ('76 z900a5)

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:26 am
Author: Ultim8pc
Went to pick up a '76 900a5 yesterday. I bought it back in early November and has taken and age to get here...
**edit** Frame number shows it to be an A5 and date stickers says 12/75.

Anyway, had a quick look over it last night and I am happy with it overall.
Not perfect but very, very tidy and appears to be all original.
Shows 8k miles on the clocks and judging by the condition could be correct.
Original exhausts!
Chrome and frame paint all there with little or no damage or rust
Full airbox and snorkel, toolkit & underseat manuals
Working hazard flasher and rear tail bulb failure indicator!
Tank paintwork a little faded and a few blemishes here and there
Carbs leaking fuel...
Running a bit rough and a one exhaust gasket blowing...
Small rip on the side of the seat cover (probably repair it as opposed to recover it)

I'll give it a proper inspection this week and post up a full set of photos. I'll then get stuck into doing anything that needs sorting. Suspect a full carb strip down will be one of the first things to do...

I've got a complete and original dual disc setup that can go on it. Just need to overhaul all the components.

The aim is to try and get it registered and on the road for the meet at Squires in June.

Excited is an understatement!

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Re: Out with the old and in with the even older! ('76 z900a4)

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:38 am
Author: floydsz1
Looking good, never liked the brown one at the time but it's grown on me, had one in the early 80's and promptly streetfightered it, murals, monoshock , mag wheels etc etc.

Re: Out with the old and in with the even older! ('76 z900a4)

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 10:18 am
Author: Ultim8pc
floydsz1 wrote:Looking good, never liked the brown one at the time but it's grown on me, had one in the early 80's and promptly streetfightered it, murals, monoshock , mag wheels etc etc.

I prefer the green, but I'm not complaining..

Re: Out with the old and in with the even older! ('75 z900a5)

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 10:28 am
Author: warren3200gt
I didn't think A5's existed until late 76? Thought 75 year was Z1B and very early A4's?

Re: Out with the old and in with the even older! ('75 z900a5)

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 10:44 am
Author: Ultim8pc
warren3200gt wrote:I didn't think A5's existed until late 76? Thought 75 year was Z1B and very early A4's?

You are correct, official records say the A5 started in '76.

The frame number is deffo A5, (Z1F-505xxx) but the date stamp on the white frame sticker says 12/75...
Wheel rims are stamped 5I (Sept '75) and 5G (July '75).

Re: Out with the old and in with the even older! ('75 z900a5)

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 5:27 pm
Author: DavidZ1R
Very nice too, what did that cost for shipping and duty?

Re: Out with the old and in with the even older! ('75 z900a5)

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 5:31 pm
Author: Ultim8pc
DavidZ1R wrote:Very nice too, what did that cost for shipping and duty?

Thanks.
I normally budget £1500 for collection, delivery to port, shipping and VAT and it came within budget!

Re: Out with the old and in with the even older! ('75 z900a5)

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:57 pm
Author: deka
Nice one Nigel

Re: Out with the old and in with the even older! ('75 z900a5)

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 7:50 pm
Author: Wrigers
Nice one......shouldn't take much to get that looking lovely.

Re: Out with the old and in with the even older! ('75 z900a5)

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:02 pm
Author: Garry.L
Looks very nice and original with all the right bits. As above I never liked the Brown, but it's a real grower and actually looks fantastic in sunlight, the candy really pops.

Given that pretty much every A4 is the usual Diamond Dark Green I'd think the Brown will add Value.

Well Done. :D

Re: Out with the old and in with the even older! ('75 z900a5)

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2018 5:24 am
Author: Philippe
Hi Ultim8pc

stunning looking bike! Congratulations!
Let the good times roll !
GrtZ
Philippe

Re: Out with the old and in with the even older! ('75 z900a5)

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2018 9:36 am
Author: damien.wrl
You are a lucky chap ... very nice

Re: Out with the old and in with the even older! ('75 z900a5)

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2018 10:26 am
Author: Tonto
Very nice indeed :up - i really like the Diamond Dark Brown A4 & A5's.

Re: Out with the old and in with the even older! ('75 z900a5)

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2018 11:22 am
Author: Ultim8pc
Cheers gents.

Been really busy so not had any time to do anything with it. Probably have some time tomorrow and give another report.

Re: Out with the old and in with the even older! ('75 z900a5)

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2018 10:31 am
Author: Ultim8pc
Managed to get a bit of time yesterday to drag it out of the garage, give it a bit of a clean up and see what it's like.
From what I know this bike was in a collection, was hardly ridden and was immaculate and then recently sold on and not looked after.
It's far better than the A5 I just sold. But with some issues...
From what I can see it's completely standard apart from the headlight unit.
Correctly stamped OEM exhausts (!) and rims.
Complete air box, toolkit and manuals.
Carbs are leaking and gummed up, doesn't run well. So first job will be to pull the carbs, clean them up, do what ever is necessary and set them up.
Chrome is generally very good, with no thinning. Some pitting here and there. However, the RH top silencer has some pitting which won't polish out. ;(
Paintwork is a bit faded, with a few decal dings here and there.
Engine is the grubbiest part of the bike, but should clean up nicely.
Frame paintwork is pretty much unblemished.
Seat has a rip.
Clocks, switchgear and controls are in a lovely condition.
Front wheel spokes are pretty good and the rears less so, but not rusty.

Overall, I'm happy so far, but annoyed about the exhausts....


Not sure I'll get much done on it in the next few weeks as I am rebuilding my workshop, but more updates as and when.

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