Original Colour scheme, how to find out what it was

[philhall46]

Hi All
I've been a member for a few months now, I've got a 1974 Z1A which I've been riding last summer, but decided to do a resto on it as she's a bit tatty.

The bike is in Z1B colours and has clearly been repainted at some point, is there anyway I can find out the original colour scheme that she left the factory with as id like to return it to original colours. It is definitely a Z1A and the frame and engine numbers are about 50 apart and are correct for that model . I know it can be one of two colour schemes ..but which one???
Also a question regarding the clocks, the rev counter has the stop light in it so that looks correct, but I'm reading the Z1A speedo only went up in 20 mph increments Mine shows large letters every other number but does go up in 10 mph. it goes up to 160 mph. do we think this is the wrong clock? It is quite a late z1a though...would that make a difference?

Thanks Fellas
Phil

[steve452]

Hi Phil. Is that Eastleigh in Hants?

[Philippe]

Hi Phil

welcome to the club!
Finding out what original colour scheme your Z1A had is very difficult.
To my knowledge there's no list of which bike had which colour scheme.
If it's repainted sometime in the past you might be lucky if you have a look at the underside of the fuel tank.
Try to wash off a small spot of paint there with cellulose thinner and see what colour is under the current paint. That is not an absolute clue, the fuel tank could have been replaced at a certain point in time for whatever reason (accident damage, personal favour of the owner,...)
If you can't determine what the original colour was, make your own choice and enjoy it!
Greetings from Belgium
Philippe

[z2.john]

Philippe is right. Kawasaki do not record the original colour. If the bike is original UK, you can get the owner history back to original owner and try and contact him.

[ADRIAN H]

You'd need to get your hands on the original V5, to know the colour the bike originally was. Kawasaki did not keep records of colours unfortunately.

But this does give you freedom of choosing which colour you prefer for your bike.

[philhall46]

Hi Phil. Is that Eastleigh in Hants?

Yes Eastleigh in Hants,

[Martin B]

Hi Phil. Is that Eastleigh in Hants?

Yes Eastleigh in Hants,

Another Zed in the area. Happy days

[Al]

Greetings from the slum ghetto in the north or youre County.
AL

[philhall46]

Hi Phil. Is that Eastleigh in Hants?

Yes Eastleigh in Hants,

Another Zed in the area. Happy days

Theres an A4 and Z1B local too :

[Zedorset]

Hi Phil. Has the seat worn any of the repaint on the tail piece, or where the tank meets the front if the seat, I know my Z1B had been resprayed at some time in her past, i was able to see that she was originally blue.

[philhall46]

Hi Phil. Has the seat worn any of the repaint on the tail piece, or where the tank meets the front if the seat, I know my Z1B had been resprayed at some time in her past, i was able to see that she was originally blue.

I haven't had a good close look but that's a good shout

[ADRIAN H]

Hi Phil. Is that Eastleigh in Hants?

Yes Eastleigh in Hants,

Another Zed in the area. Happy days

There's a few in Dorset as well.

[MrDavo]

My Z1A's speedo also goes up in 10mph increments, meaning it is probably a Z1-B part. On the up side, it is a genuine ND speedo (it has the logo) and the tacho has the correct brake light indicator.

When I bought the bike I came on here to fret about it, the general opinion was that life is too short to worry about these things, and anyone you meet who makes a song and dance about it should be told to get a life.

You also get to choose between the two excellent colour schemes, most of us don't get that luxury.