Well here it is....

[uk kev]

A step backwards, or is it?

I have had to put the original carbs back on, I just couldn't get the bike to run with the new rebuilt set, it would scream at full revs on full choke, but not run off the choke? so not sure what's wrong there then, I am by no means a carb specialist.
But on refitting the old original block, she fired right up, and runs off the choke, although a litlle on the lumpy side, but that will be sorted come MOT time.
I need to get a new front tyre for the MOT, but everything else looks good to go, well, apart from the front brake line that is! Have a look at the picture to see how the previous owner had run the bike, also what is supposed to run through the loop that is arrowed, is it the tacho cable? if so, then the one I have bought/fitted is too short.



So I will be getting a braided line made up to replace this abomination.

This space for rent ( ........ )

[Iain marshall]

Hi Kev your right about the rev cable route,posted a pic of a z1000A1 to give you an idea of cable route.what length is the cable you've got?

[uk kev]

Thanks Iain.

The length of the new one I bought was 560mm (approx) or 22" in proper measurement. it was a NOS job, advertised for Z900/Z1000 but I guess it is wrong

[Steve Cooke]

Hello uk kev,
Mine measures approx. twenty-five and a half inches over the outer case screw to screw.

[Iain marshall]

Kev pm my your address and i'll swop you a new one the right length

[uk kev]

Iain, thanks for that it arrived today, so if you let me have your address I will send you the other one. I also got all my stainless cap head screws today for the engine covers, so there is a nice little job to do after work.

[uk kev]

Bollox, Bollox, Bollox, Bollox, Bollox, Bollox, Bollox, Bollox, Bollox, Bollox, Bollox, Bollox.

phew that feels better!


I guess I have been having it to easy with the old Zed, putting things on, sorting things out, all to easy, but then just around the corner is the dog that bites. In my case (literally) it happened today. You see there I was fitting all the shiny new stainless bolts that were delivered, when I got to the sprocket cover, now I had noted that a bolt (lower front long to be precise) was missing when I stripped the clutch actuating mech a week or so back, infact that was part of the reason for buying the kit now, what I didn't know however was that the hole was F*cked, to the extent that it has been drilled out oversize, so that it can't be tapped out to the next size. So now when you pull in the clutch the cover flexes slightly. But how do I get over this problem? Any ideas?

[Iain marshall]

Kev had the same problem with Jacquies LTD and someone had tried to fix it,ended up tapping it out to 8mm,drilled the cover out and made a new bolt out of threaded rod with the nut welded on.

[Pigford]

Helicoil?
OR, weld & re-tap
OR, drill out & tap extra big, 12 or 14mm (if room?) then drill & tap out a short length of 12/14mm stud to suit your nice new s/s bolt!


PS, Bodging is a true Old Skool Art form

[uk kev]

Once I get her running I will look into having it filled with a threaded alloy blank, as I am planning on having a hydaulic clutch fitted, so may well get it done at the same time.

[uk kev]

Time for the MOT

So I called in to my local test centre today, but the earliest I could get it done was the 14th they are swamped with bike work now the warmer weather has arrived, and I guess with the threat of interest rate rises, no one is buying new bikes, so they are having to sort the old girls out for another year.
On the good side, the mechanic in the workshop is an old Kwaka drag racer, so I know the old girl will be treated right.

[london calling]

3 week wait for a 45 minute MOT

[uk kev]

3 week wait for a 45 minute MOT

A side effect of the computerised MOT, where each bike has to have it's full allowed time on the computer, so that less can be done each day. They are booking at least two weeks in advavce now, but to be fair, they did offer me a date on the 4th but due to work I won't be able to get the bike there.
As long as it is on the road for the Bucks rally I am happy.

They are now going to do some other work while they have it there, carb balance, make and fit a braided top hose, etc.

[RALPHARAMA]

they did offer me a date on the 4th but due to work I won't be able to get the bike there

Work - the curse of the drinking classes!

As far as the stripped thread goes; I had the same prob with my Zed thou ten years ago. If memory serves me right mine was so bolloxed that a helicoil wasn't an option. I am not 100% sure as it was a long time ago, but I have a vague recollection of drilling it out, and fitting a threaded bush in. I may have knurled the outside of the bush, but I wouldn't swear to it, but I think I stuck it in with engineering loctite. I can't remember the grade, but I always have a bottle in the fridge in work. Amazing stuff, almost as strong as silver solder, but can be released wi a drop o delta H! Costs an arm and a leg; use to steal it from BAe when I did my apprenticeship, but know have to buy it myself. As with all bonding agents it lasts a lot longer in the fridge. If yours is beyond a heli-coil let me know and I'll spin one up on my lathe for you, but you must make sure the 'new' hole is reamed and completely and utterly grease/oil free.

[uk kev]

Real progress today.


How could anybody with a Z1 derivative not join the Owners club? it has been a source of great help to me, especially the free help offered by some of the members who post here like Iain Marshall.

Iain sent me a free tacho cable to replace the wrong one I had, he then twice sent me insert kits so that I could sort out the stripped thread for the sprocket cover bolt, and I can tell you this, these insert kits are not cheap, and I don't live just down the road, so there is real trust for you.

Well thanks to Iain's kits I have managed a fantastic repair, so good that it looks like there hasn't been a repair at all. So Thanks Iain. all parts are ready to send back to you.

I have also managed to find and get a genuine 70's replacement Kerker silencer from the US, thanks to a US forum member from another old bike site, as the seller would not accept bids from the UK, so this guy bid and posted it out to me, before asking for payment. How cool is that. So that just leaves me waiting on a tyre for the MOT, and hopefully I can start to ride her, just in time for the Bucks rally.