Joined after many years lurking

[Sparky63]

Hi everybody, I have finally joined the forum officially after reading the content for more years than I can remember.

My first bike was a purple FS1E then a KH250 then a Z900 plus in later years a K7 GSXR 750, a red and white RD400 E a number of dirt bikes the favourite was a Suzuki RM125 with gold rims.

Present day I have started to rebuild my Z900 A4 which was taken apart 8 years ago and stored in boxes after I was diagnosed with the 'the big C'. At the same time I purchased an old barn to convert into a home whilst raising 4 grandchildren. Now whilst I am still alive and kicking I have to rebuild my Z900 so I can sell it finish my barn, sell my barn and purchase a new Z900 and start to enjoy life again.

My problem is that I have forgotten how my bike went together, Youtube has deleted all the great tutorials I had 8 years ago and I am a poor mechanic. I am making slow progress but have made a lot of mistakes on the way. I am two weeks in and today have the frame with wheels, shocks, disks, hubs, bars, etc together. The engine sits on a pallet growling at me and looking like it needs a polish to end all polishes.

Yesterday can you believe I refitted the swinging arm so it swung below the frame, I didn't realise I had done this until I went to fit the rear shocks and they were too short! Lets just say it is very challenging for me, I have 2 weeks left before I will have to put it on the market so need to make as much progress as possible.

Do forum members think it will be appropriate for me to post images and ask questions that may well seem very novice level?

Thanks in advance.

[Skid Mark]

Hi Sparky,
People here with all levels of skill, some are pro’s who are willing to share there valuable knowledge,others just genuine enthusiasts. Some blessed with better hands than others. Ask away. You will get the support you need here. Good luck with the build! Just make sure you share pictures on the way!

[chrisu]

Help always on offer here. Post questions in bike help and someone will assist

[Sparky63]

Thank you to both of you, I have some good pictures so will get them up for comment, I know I have some great original features such as the original plastic air box, the original seat but currently only three of four exhausts as the bike had a four into one when I got it, working on getting a lower left pipe at the moment.

Thank you I will ask away.

Shaun

[Sifu]

Welcome

[marmck]

Hello & welcome to the club ,are these the you-tube vids you mean , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUaao5mMylU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFzYYSHz9-M&t=1434s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNWYOytEBME&t=25s Goodluck with the rebuild

[Philippe]

Hi Sparky63

welcome to the club !

the assembly of a Z900 can be done in a week but...you should have a real knowledge about how it's done.
Take your time and don't think it'll be easy.
You need a workshop manual in order to do it properly. I think you can download one, so do it and follow the steps.
Good luck!
Greetings from Belgium
Philippe

[chrisNI]

Hi Sparky63



the assembly of a Z900 can be done in a week

Philippe

....

By you maybe...

[moizeau]

Whilst doing a Jeep in his spare time

[Sparky63]

Thanks for the comments and a week would be impossible for me lol but I am taking my time, I have a Haynes manual but it seems really poor especially the pictures so a link to a better manual would help if there is a better one. some clear assembly pictures would help at basic level especially regarding rear wheel / swinging arm / rear brake - electrics are also going to be a challenge.

[Philippe]

Hi men

I'm talking about an assembly, NOT a restoration.
When you have all the parts, including all the nuts and bolts, everything ready to assemble a complete bike and you only have to take those parts and mount them at the correct spot in the correct sequence, it can be done in a week.
That would be a challenge for me!
GrtZ
Philippe

[Sparky63]

Morning to you - first challenge so far today is that I am fitting the rear wheel again as the Haynes manual I have shows the assembly with the sprocket on the right as you sit on the bike but when I checked the internet it is on the left. Sort of shows you where I am with this currently. Now I know some of you might have spat your tea out reading this post but confusion is never good.

So spindle out and back in with the sprocket on the left as you sit on the bike.

Problem, I have nipped up the castle nut so it is clear of the split pin hole in the spindle but I have a gap on the brake hub side which looks too big to take out by tightening, Haynes manual does not show a washer on that side and shows the brake hub sitting next to the chain adjuster, is something missing because if I take that play out the split pin will be several millimetres from the lock position on the castle nut. Images below and thanks for your time.

[Sparky63]

https://imgur.com/a/fLUL7ff


Sorry if this is not how to do it. The pics show either side of the wheel assembly, the wheel is not tight.

After looking at the rear wheel from behind its clear that it is miles out of line, I think that this is beyond my skill set and probably best to sell it as a project, give me a barn and I can convert it to a home, give me a four stroke in pieces and I am lost. I think I will upload lots of pictures to the Imgur gallery and put it up for sale. The parts are in good condition, it has original features, airbox, mudguards untouched, and is pretty much original. Frame is powder coated as it the centre stand and side stand.

Where do you guys think I should advertise it and what should I pitch it at price wise.

Thanks

[wheelysteve]

Get hold of the parts book, this will help you to see the correct assembly of the bike. You can find it in various online places but CMSL has all the diagrams

[Sparky63]

Thanks have looked online at CMSL and can see that my spacer is on the wrong side, think I am out of my depth though.