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New GPZ1100B1 project arrived today

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 1:42 pm
Author: JimBoUK
Hi all,

So my new project arrived today. A GPZ1100B1 US import:

GPZ when first received 1.jpg


GPZ when first received 4.jpg


Now to decide what to do with it ?
My first thoughts were go original but …
It's been converted to carbs. Everything to do with the electronic ignition has been removed and the injector holes filled with metal putty.
Although the exhaust is reasonably good for the age it is a B2 exhaust (it has the Kawasaki badges)
Being a US import I expect going original will give it less value than a UK bike so is maybe less justified ?

I might be influenced by reasonable feedback but my probable plan is to go original paintwork (red) with 4 into 1, braided hoses, maybe a fork brace, maybe deep braced swing arm, maybe different rear shocks and leave the carbs.

If I go for a 4 into 1 I guess the exhaust will have some value. Any idea how much ? (it will help pay for other bits).
Its got a dent at the top of the offside down pipe and a small dent just in front of the indentation on the left side for the side stand. Considering age it's very good with no rot, a few scratches and original baffles

Re: New GPZ1100B1 project arrived today

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 2:03 pm
Author: Sgt.Pinback
I´d give her correct paint and seat.
Good B1 seat for sale I have.
Carb wouldn´t bother me.

If you want sell the exhaust i´d offer you EURO 550 + shipping cost. Would like to see those dents anyway.

Re: New GPZ1100B1 project arrived today

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 3:04 pm
Author: JimBoUK
Here are pics of the exhaust dents

GPZ when first received 7.jpg


GPZ when first received 6.jpg

Re: New GPZ1100B1 project arrived today

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 3:10 pm
Author: Sgt.Pinback
Ah, sadly the one on the downpipe is too big for me. Thanks.

Re: New GPZ1100B1 project arrived today

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 3:55 pm
Author: Philippe
Hi JimBoUK
great project you have there! Very sad about the dent in the N°4 downpipe...
The exhaust of a B1 wasn't black chromed, it was painted black and it had no badges. The brackets were bolted on like on the B2. The GPZ1100 Uni-Trac had the brackets welded on the silencers.
It's a shame that the holes for the injectors in the head are filled with metal putty...but are you sure it's putty? Normally that would melt due to the heat of the burning gasses in the compression chamber. But OK, so be it.
I hope you succeed with your project and don't forget to put some pictures of your progress.
GrtZ
Philippe

Re: New GPZ1100B1 project arrived today

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 4:09 pm
Author: Coose
Don't put it back to standard, it'll be awful, flexible and dull. Relive your youth and do the mods as you suggest like you would've done back in the day - trust me, it makes an average bike into a good one! :wink:

(If you hadn't guessed I'm not a rivet counter - I don't get it as nobody had a standard bike back in the day....)

Re: New GPZ1100B1 project arrived today

Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 7:14 am
Author: Ginger Bear
I agree with Coose.

Mod it as you would have done back in the day.

Re: New GPZ1100B1 project arrived today

Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 11:59 am
Author: Bill P
Make it how you'd have wanted it back in the day :)
don't the yanks luv a gaudy seat

Re: New GPZ1100B1 project arrived today

Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 12:51 pm
Author: weaver
Dents in the pipe can be taken out by filling with water and putting in the freezer....if you have a large enough freezer :D

Re: New GPZ1100B1 project arrived today

Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 12:36 pm
Author: Gyesdad
Hi Jimbo,
I went to see the bike in the flesh and it's a great starting point. Whatever you choose to do it will be another Zed back on the road. Look forward to seeing how you progress with the project.

Gary.

Re: New GPZ1100B1 project arrived today

Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 1:19 pm
Author: JimBoUK
So I managed to get her running briefly before starting the strip down.
Actually sounded quite healthy
After a run, a compression check showed 3 were low with 1 only having 90psi

The strip down begins:

IMG_4097.jpg


IMG_4126.jpg


This project is going to take quite a while due to a lack of spare time.
So I wanted an engine stand which I could move if needed.
I found one by Sealey for about £80 but the weight limit was 75KG. I think the GPZ engine is a bit heavier than this so it might not be too stable.
I found another one but it was bench mounted and £160
In the end I got 2 car engine stands for £37 each and joined them together. After making some brackets out of angle iron it's just the job and is strong enough to hold any bike engine going.
Very pleased with the result and the engine can spin round as needed to do work

IMG_4127.jpg


IMG_4128.jpg


Next stage strip and rebuild the engine :)

Re: New GPZ1100B1 project arrived today

Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 1:29 pm
Author: Philippe
Hi JimBoUK
that's very well done!
Good luck with the disassembly!
GrtZ
Philippe

Re: New GPZ1100B1 project arrived today

Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 1:33 pm
Author: Julian_Boolean
Coose wrote:Don't put it back to standard, it'll be awful, flexible and dull. Relive your youth and do the mods as you suggest like you would've done back in the day - trust me, it makes an average bike into a good one! :wink:

(If you hadn't guessed I'm not a rivet counter - I don't get it as nobody had a standard bike back in the day....)


I may have gone a bit too far with the above, we'll see when I get it back together and running properly

On the subject of engine stands, my engine is currently sat on a Workmate in RobW's garage

Re: New GPZ1100B1 project arrived today

Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2019 8:44 am
Author: redzee
Great project and an excellent idea for your engine stand. One thing I'd forgotten about is how huge the clock binnacle was on those bikes, no need for a cockpit fairing.... :shock: :shock: :shock:

Re: New GPZ1100B1 project arrived today

Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2020 7:47 am
Author: JimBoUK
Engine now stripped.

I'm looking for a new head instead of trying to fix all the butchered threads.

The rest is looking OK.
I've measured pistons, bores and rings which are all well within service limits.
Still gotta properly check everything else

The bottom of the engine was full of metal filings. These all fell back up into the engine when I turned it upside down.
I can't find any damage to cause this so assume it was a previous problem and the bits have been in the bottom ever since. Probably done when the head was butchered.

IMG_4182.jpg


IMG_4186.jpg


IMG_4191.jpg


IMG_4192.jpg


IMG_4196.jpg