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Z1R restoration project

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2023 8:23 pm
Author: 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

Re: Z1R restoration project

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2023 8:33 pm
Author: 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.

Re: Z1R restoration project

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2023 8:50 pm
Author: r3sc
Welcome onboard! It looks like a nice looking bike with some great potential!

Keep the updates coming with loads of photos!

Re: Z1R restoration project

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2023 9:18 pm
Author: Peter55
Thanks for your welcoming. I’m interested in the “fat tank’ in your reply, was there different tanks fitted to Z1Rs ?

Re: Z1R restoration project

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2023 9:54 pm
Author: Z1streetfighter71
Peter55 wrote: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?

Re: Z1R restoration project

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 3:57 am
Author: 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

Re: Z1R restoration project

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 9:47 am
Author: 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....

Re: Z1R restoration project

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 12:56 pm
Author: Z1streetfighter71
wheelysteve wrote: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.

Re: Z1R restoration project

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 11:05 pm
Author: 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

Re: Z1R restoration project

Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2023 2:05 am
Author: 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

Re: Z1R restoration project

Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2023 8:04 am
Author: compo z1r
Peter55 wrote: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
z1r wheel rear.png (554.98 KiB) Viewed 26092 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 ?

s-l1600 pan or shink.jpg

Re: Z1R restoration project

Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2023 5:36 pm
Author: 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

Re: Z1R restoration project

Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2023 7:11 pm
Author: Peter55
Wheelysteve, your Z1 looks great, I hope mine looks something like it when it’s finished.

Re: Z1R restoration project

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2023 7:23 am
Author: paul doran
Great project and good luck with ths project

Re: Z1R restoration project

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2023 10:48 am
Author: 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.