1972 Z1 Recommission / Rebuild - Vin # Z1F-01173
Posted: 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...
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...
