z1/z9 fuel tanks....differences

[baldrick]

hello all,
ive currently got a early z1 fuel tank and am looking at the possibility of fitting a later aftermarket z9 tank, but before i gom and shell out over 400 quid on a tank,
ive a couple of questions.

1. are the mounts at the front in the same location ?
is the length of the tank the same?
3 is it a straight swap?

thanks...im not too clued up on zeds more a gsx/gsxr man tbh

[chrisNI]

It should fit ok. Seam welding is different and the badges are different on very early ones. That’s all I know.

[baldrick]

thanks mate but i think i need something more conclusive than "should" to be honest. before shelling out hundreds on a tank that might not fit...no offence...
edit to add, they are the same bar a few small differences, ive found out.
so i better start saving.

[DeadZedDave]

Hello Baldrick

Questions for you !
Are you putting a tank on a Z1 frame or something else ?
Is the frame standard ?

I never had a problem swapping tanks Z1/Z900/Z1000 (early).
Maybe an odd adjustment to a seat hinge or repositioning the rubber shock absorbers on the frame tubes. Any tank any frame.

Some may disagree.
I'd say that unless you have frame bracing which sometimes means more adjustment to the tank tunnel then its off / on.

You already know the Z900 tank is not exactly the same shape as the Z1 - depending what seat you are using there may be an adjustment to make it look right.

BIGGEST PROBLEM I can see is the Repro / Aftermarket tank ! How good a copy of the original Kawasaki tank is it ? I think I remember I've read online accounts about Repro Z900/1000 tanks being "not quite right" / a bit of a tight fit !

You maybe should ask the seller to confirm that his tank will fit your frame before you buy - something in writing would be good ! Just in case....

Whats wrong with your Z1 tank anyway ?

Dave

[chrisNI]

thanks mate but i think i need something more conclusive than "should" to be honest. before shelling out hundreds on a tank that might not fit...no offence...
edit to add, they are the same bar a few small differences, ive found out.
so i better start saving.

Many years ago I had a Z1B tank on my Z1000 for about a year when the 1000 tank was at the painter is that clearer? So it should fit - not might fit..

1999.jpg (95.36 KiB) Viewed 158 times

[jonhunt]

My z1a had a z900 tank on it when I first had it. They fit. Also I've seen several NOS tanks in early z colors. Kawasaki only had the later tanks available as spares for models. I think the 900 tank has slightly more capacity and as said before the weld seam is visible.

[baldrick]

thanks for the replies