Z1, Z1A/B & Z900 Front Fork Damper Assemblies

[DogsbolloxofZ1B]

Does anyone have any images of the three different front damper assemblies

Does anyone know if there were any differences in the design of the fork tubes, if not then the ones Zed-Power and alike sell new are universal?

I know the spring lengths were different too for the above models.

Cheers, Mike

[Z.O.A]

Hi Mike, not aware of any changes in the actual stanchions on any of the 900 or the Z1000 A1/A2 until dia. changed to 38mm but could be wrong.

Here are pics of a damper rod assy from a spare set of forks from an A4.
Hope they help ya out.

[MaineKZ]

Hi Dogz

I recall when I was doing my 73 resto, I was advised by a club sage to fit 74/75 damper assys, since the original 73 version could tend to bottom out.

so I do have a set of 73 dampers in my spare parts bin. If you want pics I could dig them out.

This all happened in 2008 so can't remember how they differed.

I had the original 73 stancheons re hard chromed, and they accepted the 74/75 dampers just fine - guess that suggests they are the same dimensions, at least in terms of bore / diameter.

[Z903]

Early Z1 dampers ('72) were a totally different animal to the later Z1's and Z900. Thinner rod, different valving etc.
I'm 99.9% sure they interchange though.
The later Z1000 with the Allen plug top won't interchange with them as far as I know.

[z2.john]

As MaineKZ says, the early inners are different and also pretty poor at damping compared to the later models. My 72 forks often bottom on any unsuspecting pothole or bump.

I'm pretty sure the tubes Z-Power sell are suitable for any Z1 model. I bought a pair for a Z1B project about 3 years ago and all went together fine. I've had no probs with them since and reckon they are a good buy. works out about £50-60 cheaper than getting Philpotts to re-condition / hard chrome.

[DogsbolloxofZ1B]

Thanks guys. I remember the comment about them bottoming out and my old z1 used to occasionally clonk. I do have '72/'73 dampers in the forks of a bike I'm working on now but the heads of each damper ass' have snapped off I'll be drilling them out tonight. I think I'll change to the later type, assuming I can locate some.

I'll post images of them when removed just for reference.

Mike

[chrisu]

Mike,

I've got some spare internals - pm me.