Got me a Z1b (ish)!

[coldsummer]

Looks to be a pretty tidy ltd Simon. Shame to dick around with it too much.............then again get in there. It will be nice to see the z1a returned to a z1a if that is your plan.

Ken, I was thinking about putting the Z1a through the mincer but I couldn't bring myself to do it. It will never be original as you know but all the same I'd like to keeping it looking like a Z1a if you know what I mean. I might put a replica paint set and £3K's worth of pattern parts on it, then maybe I'll sell it back to you for £25Kssss! What do you think? ---- LOL, thought so, but it won't fit!

As for the LTD, I was lucky enough to pick it up recently and as (imo) they are the ugliest of the Zeds in standard form I'm more than happy to mess with it. Surprising how much better it looks already with that ridiculous seat gone and a proper size tank. Hopefully will look even better once I've finished. Anyway, that will have to wait, the Z1b is my priority now.

[coldsummer]

Spent a frustrating couple of hours in the garage today. My plan was to refit the headstock and as much of the front end as possible. It was so cold I didn't achieve any of it. Almost cut a finger off with a stanley blade trying to trim off some excess powder coat from the yokes then nearly ran a 1.5mm pitch tap instead of 1.25mm through the lower yoke clamp threads. Gave up at that point and trudged back to the warmth of my house.

Anyway, I learned two important lessons today, namely....


1. Funny how the cold messes with your head, screws up your ability to do even simple tasks, and seems to make every job twice as complicated.

2. Funny how a few strong rum and cokes messes with your head, screws up your ability to do even simple tasks, and seems to make every job twice as complicated, but at least things don't seem so bad

Anyway, I've booked a whole week off work at the end of January and come hell or high water this damned project is going to make some serious progress

[Padders]

Keep at it

[coldsummer]

Grabbed an hour or so this afternoon and got the forks and headstock back in. I found it difficult getting the top race fully seated even using the old one to drift it in, worried about it slipping and damaging the new one. Bottom one went in much easier. I think it is seated OK now, but I might have to invest in a portable press in the future.



Couldn't resist...



Definitely taking a day off work next week to do some more, weekends are just too busy! Feels positively balmy now the snow has melted.

[eastlondon]

Looking good.
If I had a garage like your's I'd live in it. Roll on the Olympics so I can sell my house and buy a garage with a house attached.

[coldsummer]

Looking good.
If I had a garage like your's I'd live in it. Roll on the Olympics so I can sell my house and buy a garage with a house attached.

Thanks Raf. We're planning on a lot of building work this year so I may end up living in the garage for a couple of months! I haven't achieved a lot with the Zed for a couple of months but I'm hoping to get cracking again now.

[Pigford]

Looking real good lad....

[Geoff Meager]

I can't wait to see the finished article ...... that is gonna be one nice looking bike when it's completed

[coldsummer]

Thanks guys.

I don't want to rush it and make stupid mistakes but I'm impatient and can't wait to get it finished. Still can't decide about the paint Keep tuned...

[DogsbolloxofZ1B]

What's the latest? Its been 6 weeks since your last post!

[Ginger Bear]

Anyway, I've booked a whole week off work at the end of January and come hell or high water this damned project is going to make some serious progress

Yeah, come on Simon........ what have you been up to

[coldsummer]

The truth is, I have been so busy with work and low energy levels have taken their toll. Not much of an excuse is it.

However, Mrs CS has left for two weeks in Canada today so I plan to get my finger out and do some on this project. Stay tuned

[coldsummer]

Took the front wheel into Griffs this morning to see if they could extract the offending spacer (saga detailed in the bike help section - twin disc conversion). Unfortunately the bearing puller needed was the one size they didn't have (sod's law) so they are waiting for the Snap-on rep to deliver a new one then I can get the front wheel back on. Ahhhh, one more set back. Plenty of other stuff to get on with though.

BTW, those bearing pullers are great tools aren't they? Much better than a hammer and drift.

[coldsummer]

Painfully slow progress due to lack of time, however picked up a few more shiney bits from Mikey on Friday so hope to do a bit more this week. Griffs still have front wheel but I've given up waiting for them to get the tool from snap-on so I've ordered a blind bearing puller which I hope to have by Thursday and I'll be able to do it myself. Also waiting for rear wheel spacers from ebay which means I'll be able to get both whels back in and it will start to look more like a Zed again.

In the meantime here's how it looks at the moment with the rear end on. Not sure about the repro grabrail, too much of an angular bend?

[mikey]

Looking very good simon, see what you mean by the grab rail, i have repo one on mine but it dont have such a sharp bend like that where did you get yours, got mine from Zpower after my rear end shunt.