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ChrisB
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#1 PostAuthor: ChrisB » Tue Aug 30, 2016 5:08 pm

Hello learned friends.
finished my first build of a z1000a1 with some great help from you guys.
Next big project time.
I have a z1000a1 frame and was thinking of a more modern build but have limited engineering resourses.
What is the best/easiest path here?
Was considering buying a 1200 bandit as a donor for engine and suspension/wheels/etc. Does anyone know if this will fit without too much work?
Or, is there an alternative anyone could suggest.
Key features of finished bike would be Z style (obviously) with wider modern tyres (160/120 is enough) Twin shock, air or oil cooled lump.
OK, what have you got for me!

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Garry.L
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#2 PostAuthor: Garry.L » Tue Aug 30, 2016 5:28 pm

Why ruin a perfectly good frame?......

http://www.superstreetbike.com/1977-kaw ... 1200-motor
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ADRIAN H
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#3 PostAuthor: ADRIAN H » Tue Aug 30, 2016 8:37 pm

Garry.L wrote:Why ruin a perfectly good frame


+1.
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ChrisB
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#4 PostAuthor: ChrisB » Tue Aug 30, 2016 9:33 pm

A good point Garry.L
Mostly because i can buy a donor bike and use the engine, carbs, electrics, switchgear, etc for so much less cash and time than sourcing Z parts individually and getting everything to mate.
I realise it's not a locally approved of use for a Z1000 frame! but it'd never get built at all as a faithful Kawasaki build.
The classic Z lines are what i'm after but i would like to try to get the thing round corners better than my standard one!

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Garry.L
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#5 PostAuthor: Garry.L » Wed Aug 31, 2016 7:12 am

ChrisB wrote:The classic Z lines are what i'm after


Not really into these specials so maybe I'm missing the point (as usual). But surely the 903/1015 engine is the very thing that gives the Zed it's classic lines, not to mention being easily one of the prettiest AC in line 4's ever, unlike the Bandits lump which has all the aesthetic appeal of a used Lego brick.

The heart of ANY motorcycle is it's engine, so doing the above transplant wouldn't mean it would be a Kawasaki with a Suzuki engine but more a Suzuki with Kawasaki body work, despite what it might say on the log book.

All of course IMVHO.
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#6 PostAuthor: Mowjoe » Wed Aug 31, 2016 9:19 am

I agree it is the engine of the Zed that makes you stop and look even passing mine parked on the drive still. You may as well put some work in on the donor bike and ride that? IMHO!!
Z900-A4 looking like a Z1B!

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ADRIAN H
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#7 PostAuthor: ADRIAN H » Wed Aug 31, 2016 11:25 am

Why do you want to put a Bandit engine in the frame ?

Is this just for power, a tuned big bore Z1000 engine, can get around 120 bhp on back wheel.
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slappa13
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#8 PostAuthor: slappa13 » Wed Aug 31, 2016 5:25 pm

So Garry you are trying to say if you put a Ferrari engine a mini, you would have a Ferrari with a mini body, no you would still have a mini.

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Garry.L
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#9 PostAuthor: Garry.L » Wed Aug 31, 2016 6:39 pm

slappa13 wrote:So Garry you are trying to say if you put a Ferrari engine a mini, you would have a Ferrari with a mini body, no you would still have a mini.


Have a read of the OP's original Question...

Was considering buying a 1200 bandit as a donor for engine and suspension/wheels/etc. Does anyone know if this will fit without too much work?


So in other word he wants to fit pretty much EVERYTHING from a Suzuki Bandit into what will need to be a butchered Z1000 frame. By the time he's finished the Kawasaki content of this bike will amount to little more than a paint set. So given the bike will be for the most part a Suzuki I think it's not unreasonable to call it as such..... no matter what it says on the Tank.

As for your example, if you Stuck said Ferrari's badge on a standard Mini's boot lid does that then make said shopping cart one of Maranello's finest?.
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#10 PostAuthor: Redbeard » Fri Sep 02, 2016 5:04 pm

There is also the FJ1200 engine that has been put in a zed frame. Best to look through some of the projects on the site for help with running gear, obviously some swaps require less work than others. If you can find a zed motor, that has to be the simplest option and might be cheaper that paying out for the fabrication to fit something else. Good luck with it though.
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#11 PostAuthor: garyd » Fri Sep 02, 2016 6:24 pm

How about the Zephyr 750?

Very similar looking engine...about the same power...and the running gear is mostly an easy fit.


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