Z1OwnersClub GB

As requested guys some pics and stuff of my first Z1 restoration.
Ive had a great welcome to the club and already had some useful help from the forum and I am really enjoying the restoration so far.
So the bike I chose is a 74 Z1A US import from Ohio. Must be a pretty dry state cos the overall condition of the bike is really good and only has 23K miles.
Imported by Grampian Classics up in Aberdeen (Steve Taylor) This first pic is the actual ad photo that I first saw online. Not a fan of the American style seat and pulled back bars but easy to change!


A set of good used original pipes are currently waiting to be shipped over from the US offered at cost price as part of the sale Got it registered and age related plate assigned(M reg) the strip down started to see the real condition.... and was pleasantly surprised.


http://s1093.photobucket.com/albums/i43 ... 002564.jpg


More Photos to follow.....

No horror stories in the motor apart from front cam chain guide lying in the sump , all the numbers look right and all major bits are original so over all I am well pleased.
Paintwork entrusted to Mark Hutch, rechroming down at Prestige plating and after about 18 weeks waiting is due back end of december.
Trying to to do all but specialist work myself so all polishing is my own work see pics, I also made Steve Smethursts job a lot easier by cleaning and bead blasting the crank cases, cylinders, head etc. to a great standard but had him do the barrelling/ceramic polising procedure that he does for that extra quality finish.
Steve has also re-plated all my nuts and bolts and I am just about ready for the re-assembly of the motor. Heres a few before and after pics of the project so far.








Will continue with the rest of the story so far later.

Looking very good dave keep it up and keep the pics coming

Hi Dave
I noticed that bike advert as well. Glad it found such a good home - looks like it won't be found wanting for anything by the time you have finished. Well done so far - I think the Z1 engine looks fantastic when it's cleaned up and you can see all the detail that the Kawa guys put into it.
Cheers from Mark

good start that
I wish Mine was as far on

Great work and pics. but the seats gotta go!

Great work the engine looks stunning and yeah i 2nd the seat has got to go lol

I've had a few engines Bull mill rolled by Steve, make absolutely sure that there are non of those pesky tiny ceramic balls in your oil-ways. Use a mirror to check the 4 blind holes in the cylinder head are clear and rod EVERY oil passage. You probably know this already..

Had the frame sand blasted back to bare metal and decided to go with paint rather than powder coating just for a more original look. This meant the headstock sticker had to be replaced as part of it was damaged anyway, see pics, Sunrise Graphics supplied me with an excellent replica for a tenner.
Just waiting for some oil seals, Cam chain and guides and new rings to start the the engine rebuild. Have done the restoration on my carbs already so saved a few quid there although they will require setting up proffessionally when the rebuid is complete.




Damage to the headstock sticker. Heres a few pics of the before and after carbs resto



Bit time consuming but worth it in the end Cant wait to put the engine back in the frame and start seeing a bike again instead of just a lot of parts in boxes. More photos and progress later

Fookin' 'enry - those carbs look a $1,000,000


Whats your secret

Pigford wrote:Fookin' 'enry - those carbs look a $1,000,000


Whats your secret

My thoughts exactly Piggy. Good work Dave, it is going to look fantastic.

Lovely work going on with this one Dave - gonna be show standard at the rate you are going. How did you treat those circular inserts at the side of the carb - are they fresh or de-rusted or what?
From Mark

p.s. the bit sticking out at the side of your side stand is bent downwards - they often go like that - but I think it should be coimg off the stand at 90 degrees. I had to heat mine up to move it back.

nice job on the carbs but shame you have the carbs mixed up. no 1&2 should be where no 3&4 should be. air screws should be on the outside of the carbs

Well spotted Z1bman pleased I can put that right before I realized when they are back on the bike

z1bman wrote:nice job on the carbs but shame you have the carbs mixed up. no 1&2 should be where no 3&4 should be. air screws should be on the outside of the carbs

Opppp's so he has - never notice that

Won't effect running - BUT