Z1000 A2 Advice

[Nick H]

I am currently restoring my Z1000 A2 which I bought about 3 years ago. It was running when I bought it although pretty rough - I think old fuel, dirty carbs and sitting around in the sellers garage for a while (but who knows....).

I am sure there will be lots of questions over the next few months, but for starters:

Engine - I have got it out of the frame and trying to decide how much to do to it. Tried a compression test (my first time with one of these bits of kit and trying to hold it and push the kick-start whilst the engine wobbled about on the table was awkward! Anyway, the readings were pretty low - reducing from about 75 psi on the right hand cylinder down to about 50 on the left. I had heard that you could tell if its bores/rings or valves by putting some oil in the plug holes and trying again. Low and behold, up to 150 psi.

I've not fully rebuilt an engine before, although have worked on quite a few bikes over the years, and was looking for advice. Should I take the head and cylinders off and take somewhere for a re-bore (assuming that's what it needs) or just take the whole thing to someone far more expert than me?? I'd like to have a go but don't want to mess things up.

Also, is there anyone down in the South West that you guys would recommend?

Frame - reasonable condition but needs painting/powder coating. Any ideas for getting this done in the South West?

Plenty more questions to come I'm sure but that's it for starters.

Many thanks

Nick

[scott]

The compression test really needed to be done with a warm engine. Now that the engine is out you might as well strip it and do some measurements.

[KWACKERZ1]

Scott is right but you might get better results if you spin the motor off your starter motor (just connected accross a battery)

Spin it over a few times and see what the compression builds to on the gauge.

If they were all 50psi, It would'nt be running well at all.

[Al]

You could have a word with Ralph Ferrand, (VDUK) it what he does i believe.
From the links section; top right of main screen ('parts and services' section).

http://www.z1ownersclub.co.uk/index.php ... ew&iden=54

[Ginger Bear]

If you're coming to Bristol, then many on here will vouch for Nick's high quality powder coating.

http://www.realitymotorworks.co.uk/

[Nick H]

Thanks for the thoughts chaps. Looks like I'll have to find my way up North to Bristol!!
Cheers

Nick

[Mr Bump]

I've not fully rebuilt an engine before, although have worked on quite a few bikes over the years, and was looking for advice. Should I take the head and cylinders off and take somewhere for a re-bore (assuming that's what it needs) or just take the whole thing to someone far more expert than me?? I'd like to have a go but don't want to mess things up.



Nick

If you don't have a go you'll never learn how to do it! They are not complicated engines at all, and there is a lot of knowledge on this forum, so I'd say if you have a reasonable amount of mechanical aptitude then go for it.

Don't rely on the Haynes book for these bikes though, it only really tells you how to take it apart...

I know of a couple of good engineering shops around Honiton, and there's an engine specialist in Tiverton that do re-boring etc and have a good rep, but that may be further away than you need to go.

Useful tip on the powder coating, I might be going there too.



Olly

[flateddie]

+1 for Nick at Griffs hydro blasted my Engine and done some powder coating for me good, helpful service.