Z1000 J2 back on the road.

[KevH]

I purchased this bike new in January 1982 and had to ride it back home about 40 miles on one of the coldest January's for many years, but strangly hardly noticed the cold and snow. It has had many different looks over the years but suffered very badly in a damp garage for about 10 years. I decided that if it started, I would make the effort to restore it to a rideable condition. It took about 3 hours of carburettor cleaning, plug changing, new fuel, and freeing off the starter motor, and it started after only a couple of turns. Because I've had it for so long, I just wanted to ride it again and decided not to go for a full show piece restoration. It's far from standard, particularly the motor, so I couldn't see the point. I've put about 500 miles on it since finishing. The one big job for this winter is making a new wiring loom as the copper in this one has gone black and brittle.

[Hard Road]

looks good mate,

[floydsz1]

Very nice.

[KevH]

Thanks very much to both of you for the positive replies. It's amazing how a simple restore can run away with a budget.

[Hard Road]

Thanks very much to both of you for the positive replies. It's amazing how a simple restore can run away with a budget.

yep i know that problem

[kawasaki_man]

That's a great job you have done there Kev and the bike looks very interesting.
BTW, what is the exhaust you have fitted? I just can't make out the writing on the can.

[Ultim8pc]

Wow!
Nicely done.

[KevH]

It's a delkevic, purchased through the club from Robw.
The company is local to me in Newcastle under Lyme.
I've just realised I've put the same picture on twice.

[KevH]

If you see the bike in person there is plenty to make the purists
Whince but I just wanted it in a rideable condition and the budget was getting out of hand.

[KevinH]

Nice end result and its only your opinion that matters in the end.A very nice usable bike.

[Sifu]

Very nice indeed

[RiMo900]

What a Great Looking Bike mate - from an unusable relic to a cool, roadworthy Zed!

[KevH]

Thanks for the positive comments, Dispite owning it for almost 43 years and putting over 60k on it, as soon as I had my first ride on it for 20 years after the latest overhaul it just put a smile on my face, despite riding and racing various other bikes. Some bikes just seem to fit, and this one seems to fit me well. The odd headlights and a somewhat heavy-duty bracket is due to a haste Fix on night shift in Rolls Royce motorcars a couple of days before a ferry to France, and it remained in place because it turned out to be ideal for strapping the tent too.

[Z1streetfighter71]

Nicely done sir and best colour for it too.

[Lynd44]

Lovely looking bike. Well done.