How much to rebuild a Zed Engine

[Shed20a]

Hi All,

I’ve hit a snag while trying to sell my bike and I’m hoping I can get some advice…
Due to illness I can no longer ride my Z1b, so I sadly decided to put it up for sale.
During recent discussions with a potential buyer over the history of my Z1b I remembered that when I had the engine rebuilt 20 years ago the original crankcases were damaged so I sourced replacement casings from a Z900 engine I had knocking around, not realising back then that different models had subtle differences in the casings. If I had known back then, I would have tried to get the original casings rewelded.
Anyway, 20 years down the line I have a restored bike with incorrect casings, which obviously impacts the value of the bike.
A few years I did actually buy a set of Z1b casings from ebay with the intention of rebuilding the engine using them, but seeing as the bike was running well and only a rivet counter would notice the difference I decided not to bother, so I put them in the loft and forgot about them.
Now I’ve come to the point where I want to sell the bike, my lack of forethought has come round to bite me on the bum.
I’m no longer able to do the engine rebuild myself and I’m out of touch with workshop prices for a full Zed engine rebuild, so I would really appreciate some advice over my options…

Would you:
1) Put the Z1b casings and the Z900 internals for sale on ebay and sell the bike as it is, accepting the fact that it’ll get a lower price due to it having incorrect casings

2) Pay out for an engine rebuild using the Z1b casings in the hope the final selling price will cover the cost of the rebuild

I’d really appreciate some advice please.
FYI my bike is currently on the “For Sale only Members” forum

Cheers,

Stuart

[warren3200gt]

Hmmmm, one of those how long is a piece of string questions.
It'll depend on what's found when stripping your engine, and whilst it's apart I might as well scenario's.
If there's no issues with your built engine and it's a straight pull apart rebuild in new cases job it could done in a longish single day.
Then it's a question of hourly rates and quality of workmanship involved. A shop at £100 ph and a £1000 plus comsumerables should cover it comfortably.
Fred in his shed maybe half that? Who knows.

[Shed20a]

Hi warren3200gt,

I decided against stripping the engine at the time as it was running so well, and I've only covered 3000 miles on it in 20 years, so I'd hope that there wouldn't be any nasty surprises hiding inside the casings.

I suppose the worst case scenario could be that there's a fault with the Z1b casings I've bought...

[Z1streetfighter71]

Hi warren3200gt,

I decided against stripping the engine at the time as it was running so well, and I've only covered 3000 miles on it in 20 years, so I'd hope that there wouldn't be any nasty surprises hiding inside the casings.

I suppose the worst case scenario could be that there's a fault with the Z1b casings I've bought...

If it were me and i couldnt for some reason rebuild the engine myself i would bite the bullet and sell the bike as is with the cases, you are asking a low enough price for a Z1b that that kind of price comes with snags like this, how far off are the numbers on the frame/engine?

[ADRIAN H]

Expect £4k-£5k labour.

[Shed20a]

£4k-£5k labour?

Eh lad, things like engine rebuilds were a lot cheaper when I were a lad

The other reason I wasn't too bothered about changing the casings back in the day was that A&H Performance Cycles were kind enough to overstamp the Z900 casings with the original engine number from the Z1b casings, so unless you really knew what you were looking at they look just like Z1b casings.

[Philippe]

Hi Shed20a

if I were you, I'd sell the bike as it is and give the Z1b casings with the bike. The buyer can decide himself if he wants them replaced or not.
Your bike is beautiful but not original (wheels, carbs,...) so I wouldn't bother about swapping the casings.
It might cost you more than you can receive when they're replaced.
GrtZ
Philippe

[Shed20a]

Thanks Phillipe,

That's a very good idea. On ebay the cheapest set of Z1b casings cost around £400, so even if the new buyer decided to sell the casings they'd have got themselves an extra discount on what (I think) is a reasonably priced bike.

I'll update my ad later today to include the Z1b casings and see what happens.

Cheers, Stuart

[z2.john]

Are the Z1B cases engine number within (say) 250 of the frame number? If not, I don't think changing the cases would make much financial sense.
Also, it is extremely unlikely that the re-stamped cases will have the correct font or spacing or alignment.
Think I'd just sell it 'as is' and explain to the buyer its history

[DavidZ1R]

You could always ask Dave Marsden to give you a price, he does them all the time in his workshop.

[Shed20a]

Hi DavidZ1R,

If I were still able to ride the bike and put some shake down miles on it after the casings transplant that would be a great idea.
Unfortunately I can't ride the bloody thing any more, so I couldn't sell it with hand on heart that it was in good running order.
As it is, I know that I've done nearly 3,000 miles on it over the last 20 years and never had a problem with it.

Thanks, Stuart

P.S. No thanks, I'm not looking for anybody to offer putting some shake down miles on it after a casings transplant

[chrisu]

Hi Shed20a

if I were you, I'd sell the bike as it is and give the Z1b casings with the bike. The buyer can decide himself if he wants them replaced or not.
Your bike is beautiful but not original (wheels, carbs,...) so I wouldn't bother about swapping the casings.
It might cost you more than you can receive when they're replaced.
GrtZ
Philippe

Absolutely this !