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1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173

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JamesH_Sussex
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1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173

#1 PostAuthor: JamesH_Sussex » Thu Dec 20, 2018 3:16 pm

New thread to document the re-commissioning of my 1972 Z1, manufactured 10/72, Vin # Z1F-01173.

The KZ1000 MkII that I restored earlier in the year was sold to make way for this project.

The bike was purchased from the second owner in the USA. She has been off the road for many, many years, dry stored. Luckily the PO had the presence of mind to lightly oil the bores and seal the inlet/exhaust tracts during storage. He also fairly regularly turned the engine over. He was more of a Hodna CB man, so the Z1 sat in the corner as a future restoration project that never materialised. I came across the bike on the US SOHC4 forum - I restore Hodna CB750's mainly.

Anyway, I purchased the bike as a rolling assembly (PO had completely stripped the bike to restore, then stopped). But, he carefully stored/bagged pretty much everything and loosely assembled the rolling chassis for me to ship to the UK.

The bike was wearing smoothbore carbs (virtually as new) and I managed to get hold of the original ribless carbs as well. The paint set is original, and the bike came with a set of original Kawasaki early stamped pipes (but not the original welded/unstamped pipes).

Evidently, the original wiring loom has had a bit of a 'meltdown' at some point in it's life, near the headstock area (and the PO didn't admit this but I suspect it was him). The original switchgear was fitted to lower, internally routed Euro style bars - and I suspect this is where the dead-short/wiring issue occurred. So the switchgear (correct early date codes) will be refurbished and the correct wire lengths reinstated. Sadly I'll have to use a new wiring loom as the original is toast. Any parts taken off the bike / replaced will be boxed / kept with her to keep the provenance intact.

My plan is to gently clean, re-assemble and recommission the bike. I will repaint the engine (as the original engine finish is flaking off in several places); the frame paint is lovely and original - this will just be cleaned / T-cut.

The rest of the cycle parts are very good. The chrome throughout is excellent. She retains the original Takasago stamped rims, correct date codes for pretty much everything (consulting the early Z1 restorer's book).

In terms of my future plans for the bike - we shall see. I always say 'this one's a keeper' and eventually cave and sell the bike on to fund the next project. This is what happened with the MkII.

But, dare I say it, I have a feeling this bike is different. I'm not sure I'm ever likely to find an early, relatively unmolested Z1 like this anytime soon. But, if I keep her I want to USE her, and not be scared to do so. I'll only know once she's back on the road I guess..

I'll post photos as I go...wish me luck...

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Re: 1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173

#2 PostAuthor: JamesH_Sussex » Thu Dec 20, 2018 3:27 pm

As-found condition in the US...

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Re: 1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173

#3 PostAuthor: Ultim8pc » Thu Dec 20, 2018 3:40 pm

Looks like a good sound bike - will be watching with interest!
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Re: 1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173

#4 PostAuthor: z2.john » Thu Dec 20, 2018 5:46 pm

Hi James,
That's a really nice project to have. Good luck with it and if you get bored and want to sell, give me a shout :wink:

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Re: 1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173

#5 PostAuthor: baz » Thu Dec 20, 2018 6:04 pm

z2.john wrote:Hi James,
That's a really nice project to have. Good luck with it and if you get bored and want to sell, give me a shout :wink:


shall we form a queue :lol:

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Re: 1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173

#6 PostAuthor: 8 Valve Mark » Thu Dec 20, 2018 6:12 pm

nice find. good luck with it.. not sure about the Chesterfield settee though!! :rock

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Re: 1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173

#7 PostAuthor: JamesH_Sussex » Thu Dec 20, 2018 7:03 pm

I shall post some further updates later this evening/tomorrow. Thanks for the comments.

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Re: 1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173

#8 PostAuthor: Garry.L » Thu Dec 20, 2018 7:16 pm

A VERY nice find. :D

Be careful with T-Cut as it can be a little harsh on original paint. Any decent car polish/Wax will contain enough 'Cut' to restore the original finish without going through the steel tubing.
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Re: 1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173

#9 PostAuthor: deka » Thu Dec 20, 2018 8:06 pm

Smashing looking forward to seeing this progress. And a lovely base to start
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Re: 1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173

#10 PostAuthor: Ultim8pc » Thu Dec 20, 2018 9:20 pm

Garry.L wrote:A VERY nice find. :D
Be careful with T-Cut as it can be a little harsh on original paint. Any decent car polish/Wax will contain enough 'Cut' to restore the original finish without going through the steel tubing.

Over 35 years ago I used to valet cars. We used to use a 50/50 mix of T-Cut and a liquid car polish. To this day I still use that method and it works a treat and doesn't scratch..
http://www.airevalleyclassics.co.uk
10% discount code Z1OCTEN
Keyster rebuild kits & carburettor spares - airscrews, jets, needles, starter plungers & gaskets.
Also petrol/ethanol proof float bowl gaskets. IMD pistons preferred seller.

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Re: 1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173

#11 PostAuthor: JamesH_Sussex » Thu Dec 20, 2018 11:39 pm

I’ve created an online photo album to document the progress of the bike - feel free to take a look here:

https://adobe.ly/2EGdNbJ

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Re: 1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173

#12 PostAuthor: JamesH_Sussex » Thu Dec 20, 2018 11:43 pm

So the bike is in the workshop and have stripped back to the essentials so I can clean her thoroughly and prep the engine for paint.

I’ve removed the cam cover which the PO told me was ‘chromed’ early in its life. Was a good test sample to see how the satin black finish would look. Pleased with the result/finish.

All of the cam lobes look in great condition. The oil that came out of the engine was golden and clear. Will drop the sump over the Christmas break and check for sludge/clean the oil pickup strainer.



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Last edited by JamesH_Sussex on Fri Dec 21, 2018 12:04 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: 1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173

#13 PostAuthor: JamesH_Sussex » Thu Dec 20, 2018 11:50 pm

I also couldn’t resist seeing how the original paint would respond to a light correction with my DAS-6 pro polisher. The panels were degreased, clay barr’d, then gently polished with a finishing pad.

I did a 50/50 on the tank to show the effect - difficult to see in artificial light but the photos show how lovely and original the paint is. There are chips, dents, marks here and there but that’s part of the charm I guess..


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Re: 1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173

#14 PostAuthor: JamesH_Sussex » Thu Dec 20, 2018 11:54 pm

Tail section rebuilt, polished and refitted..

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Re: 1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173

#15 PostAuthor: JamesH_Sussex » Fri Dec 21, 2018 12:00 am

Polished and test fitted all of the original paintwork. Have to say I’m feeling slightly chuffed with the finish - she’s going to turn out nicely I think. Not bad for 44 year old paint eh..!

Note: rear shocks currently fitted are UK spec units (Z-power shipped the wrong ones and I fitted them, then had the ‘what’s not quite right here’ question in my head before realising where the f*ck are the bloody reflectors ??).

I’m so used to working on Hodna CB750’s I didn’t notice at first..

I’ll give Z-power a ring tomorrow to sort it - their customer service has been superb in the past so I’m sure we’ll sort it.

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