Frame Strengthening

[Steve R]

Found this while I was wasting time, when I should have been working!
Thought it may be usefull!

http://www.ac-sanctuary.co.jp/special/the_frame.pdf

Wish I had seen it before I braced mine.

[london calling]

Just get a 1000J frame instead

[gbh]

Yes, some people go to great lengths to brace frames here. At my friends shop a few years ago I saw a custom Z1. The frame had been braced like the Sanctuary frame, then shot peened (following the theory that if it's good enough for conrods then it's good enough for a frame) This frame then had small holes drilled into various areas into which a resin was pumped. This resin expands and hardens to make the frame more rigid from within. The holes were then filled and the lot coated in the nicest black coat that you could imagine.
Of course the engine had a top of the range Falicon crank, Titanium exhaust, billet everything etc etc. Don't ask how much this bike cost...

[london calling]

Can't see the point in spending big money on a 30+ year old Kawasaki frame

[Steve R]

Jack, its too heavy!!!

I have a spare set of body work and keep thinking I fancy building a special based on a later (ie cheaper Z) Does any one know if the early z9 bodywork fits on to a later model without too much trouble?

[gbh]

Can't see the point in spending big money on a 30+ year old Kawasaki frame

Yes I suppose so....but then again a lot of people could fairly make the statement, "Can't see the point in spending big money on a 30 year old Kawasaki."
It's all relative to what kinds of things you like and can afford.
It would be a pretty boring world if everyone rode new Harleys.

[london calling]

GBH,my point is that Z1 frames were pretty poor when new,so bracing and resin filling,etc,wouldn't cost much less than a good quality T45 tubed replacement frame.
Surely if you're building a money no object Z,then you'd get a new frame built I know I would

[phil churchett]

GBH, could it be possible that the frame is TOO rigid, which leads to handling problems?

[Steve R]

Got to disagree with you Jack, I spent the princely sum of £100 at an engineering shop to have an extra tube at the front across the down tubes, an extra tube across the back tubes above where the swing arm mounts and three tubes under the tank to tie the top tubes together and I am pretty sure that in terms of improving the handling/ pounds spent thats the third most cost effective spend on the handling, behind taper head bearings and replacing the 20 year old pirelli phantoms!!

If I had seen the above I would have put some more bracing in as well, especially as the engine is now growing . Admittedly it was probably only £100 cos they are all bike enthusiasts there!! The owner has a slippery sam trident amongst others and every one that works there goes twin shock trials riding!

You might just as well say why bother tuning it or trying to make it lighter etc etc. cos at the end of the day it will have ended up costing me more than a second hand R1 and it will never handle or go like one of those, but thats just not the point is it!

[KWACKERZ1]

Steve I agree with you and actually agree with Jack also, as if money was no object a frame from proper metal would be my choice.

But if you need frame bracing specs and dimensions its all here.

http://www.z1ownersclub.co.uk/forum/vie ... c&start=30

As I posted it previously.