Z1OwnersClub GB

nice score! ....looking forward to seeing the rest of the rebuild

I've still got loads of z650 engine spares and a few other bits and pieces kicking around, if you're over Whitchurch way again at some point give me a shout and pop in for a brew mate

Spent ages polishing the fork lowers of the Z650, one of which had some deep damage.. suspect it must have fallen over on that side. Should've just painted them black really.

All the fasteners are polished stainless, with some, such as the top yoke nut and spacer coming an via Ebay supplier called classic_bike_fasteners .. excellent quality, and not much difference in price compared to the original chromed bolts from Kawasaki.

j.b wrote:nice score! ....looking forward to seeing the rest of the rebuild

I've still got loads of z650 engine spares and a few other bits and pieces kicking around, if you're over Whitchurch way again at some point give me a shout and pop in for a brew mate

Cheers, good to know you've still got your turbo. I seem to have been dragged back to Zeds after many years of playing about with V twins.. its like returning home lol..

Actually, will be watching another Z650 turbo project over the coming months that my mate is building for a customer, who has owned it since the 80's.. I quite like it as is, but its getting modern suspension and wheels and ... gulp.. an 810cc Gpz 750 Turbo engine.. with a bigger turbo..



Vid of it here https://youtu.be/OD-8kAuluu4

Love the rotary parts washer on the right

Collected the frame and various parts.. battery box, electrics panel, headlight mount, from the powder coaters, Triple S. They did an excellent job as always. Once blasted, rust holes were found in the 'ears' towards the back of the frame. These were fixed by a man Triple S use, then the frame could be powder coated. I left the wheels to be powder coated next, in a satin gold finish, along with some machined parts that are getting a new finish for me.. Cerakote.


Also collected some engine parts for my Z1000 Mk2 project. All good, but prices have gone up recently, no doubt heating their big ovens must be getting expensive..

My mate collected the Z650 wheels from Triple S along with the disc adaptor rings which have been cerokoted, not used that finish before. Had the wheels done in a satin gold powder coat.




Not much room in the garage, Z650 and MK2 frames waiting for work.

Managed to get an hour or so on the bike today, small progress, but progress nethertheless

Fitted the tail section and new seat, so I can work out how to mount the ER6 rear lamp. Realised the bike doesn't have a seat lock.. pity as new ones are £82..

Another hour on the bike today, few parts arrived in the post, so could fit the tank, and the front forks. Waiting for new rear wheel bearings, then can get new tyres fitted, and soon it'll be on its wheels again.

New Renthal bars fitted, Tommaselli throttle and R6 master cylinder, the engine mounting brackets have been painted and fitted with stainless bolts. Its become clear that only one of the engine bolts is OE, the rest are a mess. Have ordered a metre of 10mm stainless bar to make new replacements.

Got a problem fitting the side stand, the new Kawasaki retaining bolt doesn't fit, its 10mm while the kickstand takes 12mm. Not sure if the 12mm is original or its been fitted to a modified stand / frame in the past.

Got the correct rear wheel bearings and soon fitted them without a problem, so should've gone to local tyre place, got tyres fitted and straight back on the bike to make it a roller at last. But that will have to wait another 8 days as I'm not allowed to drive for 28 days after a sudden illness. I'm doing ok, could've been a lot lot worse. In the meantime, fitted the headlamp mounting bracket, but the headlight itself is in pretty bad condition, so ordered a new one.

A couple of spacers have been replicated in stainless.. one a rear wheel spacer and the other a engine mount spacer. The originals being in poor shape. Finally cleaned up the rear brake plate, still needs a bit more time, but had enough of polishing for now.

Couple more new parts arrived.. new headlight shell and front mudguard, its a replica by PMC in Japan, its from a Z900LTD. Also finally fitted the rear light, bit fiddly, and still need to cut the lower section down as its not needed, then paint the whole bracket black.

Few more jobs completed today, the HEL brake lines arrived, and fitted no problem. Painted the side panel badges, which took ages, had to use a tiny brush and a magnifying glass. On fitting the side panels to the bike, realised that one of them had a mount broken off. Looked for a replacement on Ebay, and they all seem to have the exact same broken tang.

So I don't know how or if my side panel can be repaired, the lower tang is missing. Anyone done it?

On the positive side, tomorrow I can drive again, so will be straight round to the local tyre place with the wheels, and fingers crossed have the bike on its wheels soon... assuming they have the correct sizes in stock, but if not its only a 24 hour wait.

Looking good, will you install the engine in the rolling frame? Ι usually start with installing the engine in bare frame, much easier?

Agree with Rob, engine on its side then lower the bare frame over it. Much easier than putting the engine in afterwards unless the engine has stripped top end.