Z1 Brake Lever (Arm) - Differences in this small arm.

[Garn 1]

I call it the "brake arm". Anyway, some of us Z-nuts know that the Z1's came out with the clamping bolt for this arm, having its head toward the front. Then later with the introduction of the wear-indicator (or the intention of having a wear-idicator on the rear hub) Kawasaki decided to face the bolt the other way, hence, not interferring with the visual aspect of the indicator. This meant a change in the casting of the arm.

Now, every Z1 I have seen has the bolt as mentioned above. I have just received one with that configuration except it has a cuve in it. I have been searching through my photo's and there it is "Restores Reference" Kawasaki Z1 (with Graham Curtis), a green & yellow variety, on the back page of a UK mag Classic Motorcycle & Mechanics.

Here's my question, has anyone seen this curved arm on a Z1? Has anyone seen this arm on another Kawasaki model or another make? Refer photo below



RegardZ.
PS. I'm pretty sure it ain't a Z1 arm! Since I saw this in a UK mag, I thought one of your Z1 owners could enlighten me. I have also asked these question in theWWZ1/Z900 forum. Thanks in anticipation.

(Edited by Garn 1 at 11:41 am on May 18, 2006)


(Edited by Garn 1 at 11:44 am on May 18, 2006)


(Edited by Garn 1 at 11:50 am on May 18, 2006)

[gbh]

This is the aftermarket Uri Geller brake kit...
Sorry Garn, couldn't resist. I can't say I've seen this type before.

[Pigford]

Its definitely off a single disc model, probably used in a country with a damp climate (so not USA) as the last rider obviously had to use the rear brake alot!!!!!

[Rich]

Maybe they were just a bit "enthusiastic" with their rear wheel slides!!

[Garn 1]

Rich & Pigford, If you think of something funny/clever to say, by all means say it.... and we all laugh! However, it would be nice if you just add a tiny bit of infomation about the question/ topic.

I have to wade through pages of crap sometimes, to find something to do with the subject.

By all means have a joke, that's what life is about, however, just contribute a little info! eg. Have you seen one before? Could the brake-arm have been possibly bent, through hard braking? You guys have a great site, however, if you ever want to look-up some info, it's just a joke book. I wonder why we keep it as archives.....Pity!

Try it yourself. Look up a topic of interest, then see if you can glee some info from it. No offence to addressees, it's rife throughout the forum.

Just to practice what I'm on about (to get back on the topic). I think the curved brake-arm is not belonga to a Z1.

RegardZ

[Steve R]

Whoa Garn,
You are out of order here, this site is as it is cos the people on it like it like that. Its a mixture of info and banter from people who are huge fans of, and hugely knowlegible about the Z1
There is a massive amount of technical knowledge on here, and I for one have had a great deal of help.
Yes people like to have a laugh as well, but it is not a problem.
Your attitude is like someone walking up to a group of mates in a pub who are having a laugh and telling them to shut up and take everything totally seriously.
As far as your question goes I do not think this arm is off a z1. Dave Marsden at Z Power would give you a definate answer as he is a walking talking parts book.
Brake arms are normally curved like that to clear the rear wheel spindle and this is not an issue with the way the rear brake set up is on a Z1 .
Someone has taken the attitude its there it works it will do, probably when the thread stripped on their original clamp bolt.
Mean while, LIGHTEN UP MATE!

[Garn 1]

OK,OK,OK, I guess it was like walking up to a lot of mates in the pub and telling them to shut-up. I was after a few statement like: Can't help or I've seen it on a 1943 Velocette or a '98 Firebird. I'm an impatient barstxrd. I really am fun loving, I just wanted an answer from a pretty clever group.

I do apologise for my outburst. I would appreciate if, in the future, after the slick comment, just a little word of info on the subject is passed on, to help me over my sickness!

Thanks Steve R, I will take on board to lighten-up!
RegardZ.

[rickman CRR]

Garn, You couldnt bend that solid metal lever through heavy braking use. You could straighten it though, provided you had a welding torch, big vice and lever tube. It looks like it would fit a Zed rear brake spindle though, bent or straight.

Bent or straight?.........

Easily resists prejudiced homophobic comment........

Acht.....

I feel a "Not many people know this" moment coming on....

Extract from SFgate: Back in the 70's Kawasaki dealer Ramrod Inc. from Twin Peaks, Saaaaan Francisco offered a Z1 limited edition candy tone cerise paint job as an option for the Curious. Apparently sold well alongside the handlebar tassles and nipple clamps.

[Rich]

Definitely not a '98 Fireblade!!!
and as Steve R says it's probably curved to clear the spindles or for the angles of thrust..................

[Steve R]

"Angles of thrust!" We are back to the actress and the Bishop here arent we Rich!

[chrisNI]

Garn - further to what Colin said there's no way the arm would bend through heavy braking something else would give first. It's differently finished as well it looks like a much better casting - maybe it's some kind of pre-production one because it's not really likely to be off something else with the spline and hole sizes and overall length being the same. Steve Thomas might know he has that pre production Z2 wonder what the arm on it's like?

[Pigford]

OK Garn 1, here goes on a serious reply....
Alot of the Jap stuff is similar across manufacturers, spindle sizes, bearing sizes, even overall designs. The Japs tended to source there bits from large suppliers and its not unusual for 70's & even some 80's bikes to share similar sized parts that can easily be interchanged. Not much help in identifying it tho, but could be from practically anything!:confused:

(Edited by Pigford at 7:28 pm on May 19, 2006)

[chrisNI]

Okay so it might be off something else and be the same size.

[Sorf]

Steve R sounds like he's on the right track with an upward facing lever?. This seems familiar somehow, but I can't place it.

[Davy Doherty]

Just bin it coz a good source tells me it's off CB550k3 Hondr!!!!