‘73 Z1 Project

Hello everyone! In the spirit of buying another project instead of finishing what I’ve been working on, I’ve been very fortunate to pickup a rough 1973 Kawasaki Z1. It’s in pretty rough shape and the motor is locked up. Otherwise, it’s a matching frame/engine bike that looks mostly complete. 

I’m new to the platform, so would appreciate any observations from the eagle eyed Z1 experts on here. Big thanks to kzstreetfighter for the hospitality in storing this bike and sending some photos. 

I plan on doing a stock restoration, might be a bit for next update but I know some like ‘em crusty. 
 

You are correct...that is pretty crusty...but, depending on the price, I would have jumped on it too.  My Z2A was equally crusty but the motor was surprisingly in decent shape, engine was free, and as I disassemble the bike, the engine is in good shape internally.  What I have learned is that you will need a fairly big bag of money.

For fear of being run out of town, I won’t say how much I paid but it was too good of a deal to pass up. Honestly, I didn’t think it would work out but all the other guys interested in these bikes must have been on Valentines Day dates. I’m currently restoring two H2, so my bank account and credit cards are very much aware of the costs haha. The cost of chrome and polishing is crazy. 

Yep your gonna need a BIG BAG OF MONEY. but sounds like toy know that.
 I Did a 78 KZ1000 last year and I was surprised how much that took ( not to discourage you) Have fun!

This is my current Lego set, definitely blew past the budget 

GrumpierGrunt wrote:

This is my current Lego set, definitely blew past the budget 

Ah, truly a treasure trove...really!

Are there photos here?  I can't see them, other than tiny thumbnails.  You have to click "insert all" with photos before posting.

Nessism wrote:

Are there photos here?  I can't see them, other than tiny thumbnails.  You have to click "insert all" with photos before posting.

They expand when I click on the thumbnail image.

Later, Doug

You don't need a bag of money....you need a truckload!

You can contribute to my go fund me here…. Jk

If you need turd polish I have some left from my Z1.  I buff it with my empty wallet. 

You have your work cut out for you.  What is the serial number on that thing. It's funny that the majority of the Z1 bikes (and others) I have restored were all at around 12,000 miles before the were parked and left to languish in some dark corner or leaned up against a tree to be saved by a few of us die hard fools. There were a couple that had 40,000-50,000 and they needed a lot of work. You will need the extra strength turd polish.