1973 Kawasaki 900 Z1

Up for auction is my 1973 Kawasaki 900 Z1. I bought the bike from a collector in 2010. It was a very nice restoration that I’ve significantly improved. It is a matching Frame/Engine VIN Z1F14625/Z1E14758. The following are the details of the collectors’ restoration. I have included my work at the end.

The bike was purchased from the original owner, 56 year old woman, ith 31K miles. The bike was completely dismantled including the engine. The following work was completed:

Rear Fender Assembly: All original. Fender re-chromed, ase taillight assembly powder-coated (black), ardware re-zinced, ampers ultra-sonic cleaned, riginal taillight plastic and trim.

Rear Wheel Assembly: New reproduction DID rim, ew spokes, heel drum polished, ith new Avon tire. All wheel and swing-arm hardware was ultra-sonic cleaned and or re-zinced or re-chromed., ncluding brake rod assembly and stabilizer bar. The swing-arm was powder-coated and new bearings installed. Both the swing-arm and stabilizer bar are original and have the correct KHI serial number for a 1973 model. Rear shocks are original Kawasaki Zl, ltra-sonic cleaned. The bike also has a new sprockets, ock tabs, nd chain

Footrest Assemblies: Rear assembly bracket was re-zinced, eg rubbers replaced, riginal chrome pegs (73 only) re-chromed. Front brackets were powder-coated, eg rubbers are very nice, ut slightly used. Hardware securing brackets to frame were re­-zinced and nuts replaced.

Stands: Side stand a center stand were powder-coated, ll hardware, uts, olts, prings, tc were re-zinced.

Electrical System: Wiring harness is completely original, n very good condition. All electrical functions are in working order. The signal lights (front/back) are replacements of the originals purchased from Zl enterprises. The central wiring plate was removed and powder-coated and all connections cleaned. The bike has a near new battery and spark plugs. Wiring has been routed and frame strapped using my original bike as a pattern. The stoplight plate was powder-coated and all hardware re-zinced.

Body Work: All original tank, ide-covers/badges, nd tail piece. The paint is near perfect. The tank has one wear spot at the bottom rear tip where tank meets the seat. Unless you know it is there it will not be noticed. Seat is an original (black foam) 73 only seat. The foam removed, an powder-coated, oam reinstalled and covered with replacement cover from Z-power UK. Strap was added, o restore as Euro version of the 73 seat. The original tail piece insert with wiring diagram, nd owners manual is included. The black inner rear fender has been re-conditioned.

Front End Assembly: Triple tree has powder-coated, oller bearings installed and all hardware re-zinced, e-­chromed, r ultra-sonic cleaned as required. The top fork ears and upper fork chrome is very, ery nice with no leaks. Lower fork legs have been polished to factory look. Reflectors are nice. New lower rubber fork covers replaced, ower fork legs were polished. (But, ot over polished) ....was not a mirror finish in 1973. Handle bars were ultra-sonic cleaned, aster cylinder reconditioned, ew grips, he switches are original but could use a little touch up. The brake cable and throttle cables are new replacements. The brake hoses and splitter are original with original 73 hoses. The metal tie line the caliper is new. Original caliper has been re-conditioned. The wheel rim is DID replacement, ew spokes, ub is powder-coated, ith new bearings. The front fender is original and re-chromed. The gauges are original and were professionally restored by Z-resto who specialize in restoration of Zl gauges.

Engine: The following are comments from the gentleman that refreshed the engine and assisted me in the overall restoration.

The motor was completely torn down, inspected and given the new parts it needed to be a reliable runner again. Work included:

Full valve job, ll valves and seats ground then lapped.

No excessive guide or valve stem wear none required replacement.

Set valve clearances by grinding valve stems.

Cylinders still showed signs of original hatch marks with almost no visible ring lip. Honed cylinders replaced rings minimal piston to cylinder wear.

New Timing chain, ew Clutch plates, ew complete ignition plate, point condenser) All cam chain rollers and tensioner plunger were like new.

Ultrasonic cleaned entire block, rank, ead, ylinder block, ransmission, verything. Glass beaded all external surfaces, ltrasonic cleaned again before painting.

All machined fits were mic’d and checked for clearances.

All hardware that was originally zinc plated was re-zinced, ll new pan head screws.

Chrome hardware was excellent and was ultrasonic cleaned and reused, olished covers as needed.

All wire clips, olders, nd hardware were installed as originally.

Other than the cosmetic restoration of the engine, t needed nothing else,

The chain oiler system is complete but not connected at this time.

The engine was one of the nicest unmolested original unopened engines I have ever worked on.

Exhaust Pipes: The pipes are replacements purchased in 1979 by a former Kawasaki dealer I bought some NOS parts from in Bartlesville, k. They were stored until about 2 years ago. I have had them on another bike, nd this one but probably between them both no more than 500 miles total. They are in excellent shape, o dents, attery acid, crapes etc. The upper left pipe has some chrome deterioration on the top of the pipe. Not rust related it appears ...just 1970’s quality control. It is not noticeable at any distance, ut if close and looking direct down it can be seen. This is a very unusual set has it has the stainless steel cover over the joint at the connection between the header and muffler. This was standard on early 73 pipes only. I have never seen another set of 76 pipes so equipped.

My Work: This bike was very nice when I took possession in the spring of 2010. Lots of attention to detail and cosmetically it was an excellent example. But it was clear to me immediately, aving owned a new 1975 Z1 that the engine, espite all of the reported work, as not up to my satisfaction. Compression test showed fair amount of loss in two cylinders, ut it fared better in a leak down test. I pulled the top end and sent it to Jordan Engineering in Oceanside, alifornia to be professionally rebuilt. The stock piston and rings had too much gap from wear and from the cylinders being honed previously. So Jordan bored and honed the cylinders to accommodate 0.5mm over OEM pistons. The valves, uides were in better shape and were polished and lapped. Intake and exhaust valve guides and seals were replaced. In case you don’t know Curt Jordan, can’t recommend his work highly enough. He does exceptional work and of the finest quality you’ll find anywhere.

I then completely reconditioned and rebuilt the carburetors using an ultrasonic cleaner. I replaced all of the jets, eedles and gaskets. After painstakingly synchronizing the carburetors and tuning the bike, t starts and runs perfectly. As good as new and better than I remember! I just finished doing the 600 mile service, etting the valves, djusting the timing and synchronizing the carburetors. It has less than 700 miles on it and is ready to roll.

I replaced both fork seals and also replaced the idiot light panel with a new OEM one. I removed the tank and body work and replaced them all with a replica set. So this bike includes an entire duplicate set of body work. Since the stock tanks are so valuable and this is such a nice tank, figured it best to store them away and use the replica body work for riding and showing. The replica body work really makes the bike look brand new.

In summary, his is a carefully and completely restored Z1. It can be used for shows or as a weekend rider. The beauty of this classic motorcycle, s it can be fabulous garage art, r it can be functional art. You can have the nicest, arest, ost expensive bottle of wine in the world and all you can do is drink it. Same goes for motorcycles. You can look at them, ut I prefer to ride them. This bike is a first rate piece of art work for your garage, isplayed at shows but most importantly, idden like the iconic machine it is.

Also included; Shop Manual, arts Manual, ool Kit, wners Manual, ll Stock Body work and a few miscellaneous extras. Shipping can be arranged.

Good luck bidding. Don’t figure I need to repeat the expectations and etiquette of the Ebay process. Please call me with any questions: 970-618-0681 Thanks, ud

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