Z1R restoration project

[Peter55]

Hello all, I’m new to the club and have just picked up this 79 Z1R which I am looking forward to restoring to original condition. I have restored a few bikes in the past but not a Kawasaki, once I make a start I’m sure I’ll have a lot of questions to ask on this forum. Cheers Peter

[Z1streetfighter71]

Welcome to the club mate, everyone here loves a good Z1r build, im in the middle of my own too, i see she has the fat tank on her.

[r3sc]

Welcome onboard! It looks like a nice looking bike with some great potential!

Keep the updates coming with loads of photos!

[Peter55]

Thanks for your welcoming. I’m interested in the “fat tank’ in your reply, was there different tanks fitted to Z1Rs ?

[Z1streetfighter71]

Thanks for your welcoming. I’m interested in the “fat tank’ in your reply, was there different tanks fitted to Z1Rs ?

My bad i just figured it was a late 78 registered in 1979 fitted with any aftermarket 22l tank but i just noticed the little emblem under the tank strap. Even more rare bike, well earned sir. Will you put a Z1 exhaust on it or keep the Delkevick?

[Philippe]

Hello Peter

congratulations with your Z1R !
It seems to me that there's not very much to do in order to restore it. It's almost complete and in a good shape.
Original Z1R parts are expensive but there are good replica parts available.
Good luck with the restoration!
GrtZ
Philippe

[wheelysteve]

Hi Peter,

`I have restored a Z1R in the last couple of years. They are fairly straight forward as long as all the specific Z1R bits are with the bike as some of them are difficult to find and very expensive when you do ! That looks very complete form the pics and a really good base for a refurb. Here is a pic of mine....

[Z1streetfighter71]

Hi Peter,

`I have restored a Z1R in the last couple of years. They are fairly straight forward as long as all the specific Z1R bits are with the bike as some of them are difficult to find and very expensive when you do ! That looks very complete form the pics and a really good base for a refurb. Here is a pic of mine....

Beautiful bike mate. Yea like the front master and brake leaver, might as well br looking for unicorn eggs.

[Peter55]

Thanks for all your comments. Couple of questions, I guess the wheels have been painted gold by a previous owner, what was the original colour of the wheels and where can I get a new screen that matches the original shape and colour. Any replies gratefully received. Peter

[Philippe]

Hi Peter

the wheels were originally painted satin black with polished rims and spokes .
The original windscreen was smoke colour and to my knowledge no longer available from Kawasaki. There are replicas for sale. If you have a look on "Evilbay "you can find them. ... or you can have a look at this:

https://z-fever.de/shop/de/?cat=c704_VE ... CKPIT.html

When you contact Andre Melchers, the shop owner, you can ask him if he wants to ship parts to the UK. He understands English.
GrtZ
Philippe

[compo z1r]

Thanks for all your comments. Couple of questions, I guess the wheels have been painted gold by a previous owner, what was the original colour of the wheels and where can I get a new screen that matches the original shape and colour. Any replies gratefully received. Peter

ya wheel should look like this !!

z1r wheel rear.png (554.98 KiB) Viewed 18385 times

screen originals their is 2 panlite and shinkolite the rest is aftermarket shink's cracked and kawasaki had panlite make replacements if they turn up NOS they can make upto 1k on ebay ive seen aftermarket from £45.00 some of the aftermarket screens u have to drill holes your self ?

[Peter55]

Again thanks for all your reply’s, very useful.
Phillipe thanks for the link, looks like quite a lot of parts are available, at a price.
Cheers Peter

[Peter55]

Wheelysteve, your Z1 looks great, I hope mine looks something like it when it’s finished.

[paul doran]

Great project and good luck with ths project

[HowieD]

That looks ready to go, once you have a screen, original spark plug caps too !

Just a couple of things to look for in my experience:

Underneath the front mudguard for corrosion where the rivets go.
The condition of the frame around the right side swinging arm pivot - mine rusted through where water had filled the frame tube up via an only partly done weld under the seat.

Best of luck with it.