Z1000A1 tale of two Zeds
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:45 pm
It all started when I was 19, was desperate for a Z1000A1 this bloke had for sale, but couldn't manage to raise the extra cash to p/x it with my Z650 
Years went on, had another 650, a couple of Z1000H's and a Z1300, but no Z1000A. Once in a while I would get it in my head to go look for one, but would only turn up overpriced rubbish, more years rolled on.
Christmas 2011 was another of these moments, didn't find a Thou, but a Z1B, nice nick, little TLC needed, four grand, quite a bit more than the original budget, but yep I'll have it. I just got to put the standard pipes and wheels on and I'll ring you he says, mint! But some weeks later I see the bike parked up, been sold to somebody else! Shit!
So in the spring I buy a Harris Magnum 2 frame for a Zed motor, my first intention was to fit a ZZR motor, but meant surgery to the Harris frame and couldn't bring myself to cut the hallowed tubes, so I would look for a donor.
Rushed out and bought the first thing that came along, 1978 Z1000A2
Better make sure its ok before breaking it, so have it in the shed to give it a prod and a poke, I would tidy it up and run it for the summer, then cannibalize it for the Harris, but hmmm I've always wanted one of these!
Ha, another Z1000 turns up, an A1, but this one is a dog, but cheap, this will make the perfect donor.
Right, the A2 gets the tidy up for now, A1 for the chop to build Harris, A2 gets proper makeover later, and becomes the missing bike from my youth, sorted.
No, a bargain engine turns up! clean, low miles, perfect for the Harris, so now I have two bikes and an engine, so all change.
To the project, the A2 now has a new home with Becker
, and since Christmas I've been pulling bit together to build a custom of the A1, the frame and swinger come back from powder coat this week, assembly starts the weekend.
Watch this space.
Years went on, had another 650, a couple of Z1000H's and a Z1300, but no Z1000A. Once in a while I would get it in my head to go look for one, but would only turn up overpriced rubbish, more years rolled on.
Christmas 2011 was another of these moments, didn't find a Thou, but a Z1B, nice nick, little TLC needed, four grand, quite a bit more than the original budget, but yep I'll have it. I just got to put the standard pipes and wheels on and I'll ring you he says, mint! But some weeks later I see the bike parked up, been sold to somebody else! Shit!
So in the spring I buy a Harris Magnum 2 frame for a Zed motor, my first intention was to fit a ZZR motor, but meant surgery to the Harris frame and couldn't bring myself to cut the hallowed tubes, so I would look for a donor.
Rushed out and bought the first thing that came along, 1978 Z1000A2
Better make sure its ok before breaking it, so have it in the shed to give it a prod and a poke, I would tidy it up and run it for the summer, then cannibalize it for the Harris, but hmmm I've always wanted one of these!
Ha, another Z1000 turns up, an A1, but this one is a dog, but cheap, this will make the perfect donor.
Right, the A2 gets the tidy up for now, A1 for the chop to build Harris, A2 gets proper makeover later, and becomes the missing bike from my youth, sorted.
No, a bargain engine turns up! clean, low miles, perfect for the Harris, so now I have two bikes and an engine, so all change.
To the project, the A2 now has a new home with Becker
, and since Christmas I've been pulling bit together to build a custom of the A1, the frame and swinger come back from powder coat this week, assembly starts the weekend.
Watch this space.
No guesses?
