I have a problem

I'd suggest trying to locate an air filter box as a bike with pods can be a nightmare to make run correctly.

Some websites to try:
www.reproductiondecals.com (they sell new parts too)
www.redlinecycle.com
www.sudco.com
www.americanclassix.com
www.oldkawman.com
www.oldkaw.com

If you need more, just ask...

Looks pretty good and complete, A real great platform to start with. You might be surprised what a little elbow grease and little money can accomplish! Since you have been lurking you might allready know who the specialist are, don't be afraid to hit them up for advice.
Later
Les

what racer54 said!

oh yeah les too,

and omr,

and

and

you came to the right place.

i bought a windscreen from these folks

www.bikescreen.com/proddetail.asp?prod=KawasakiZ1R%6078%2D%6080

and was pleased.they take a while to ship but they can build it in any of 13 colors.

i was in a bind and needing my bike back together and whipped this one up from some lexan that i bought from lowes and painted the inside and had like less than twenty bucks in it.

You only think you have a problem. Wait until you find yourself combing through ebay auctions at 3:30 am looking for that dashboard, and the fuel gauge, and you have two spare motors in pieces while still looking for more room to stuff spares. That's when the disease really has hold of you.

That is a totally solid platform for a good project bike. The fact that it is running, however badly at the moment might influence how I would approach the project if I were you. I give you two separate game plans that I would suggest based on your situation.

#1 Get the factory service manual and go through all of the required maintenance as though it has never been done before. Oil change, adjust valves, rebuild brakes with new lines, new tires, check the charging system, rebuild and sync carbs, go through the ignition system, new drive chain and sprockets, the lot. This will get you a solid running but not pretty bike and you can be done before next spring with time to spare. If you have the time and funds then you can work on things like painting or powdercoating the frame, getting bodywork done, new seat cover, etc. Then you can work on smaller improvement projects as you go. I have become a big fan of not completely stripping a bike that runs. Once you get into that motor it becomes a vortex that sucks you in and cannot get out from.

#2 If you decide to go full custom then just go ahead and strip the bike. Catalog everything and take lots of digital pictures as you go. It's gonna be a while before you go back together. This is the route that I went, but my bike never ran, and had major issues with the motor. I spent two years researching and lining up the funds to do what I did. Then I spent a further year working on the bike on nights and weekends. If you only can devote 5 hours a week then it will take you longer. You have to have a lot of dedication to complete a suspension swap. There are a lot of half finished examples here.

If you decide to go with #2 I would suggest that you try and get a cheap running bike that can be put on the road easily. That way you can ride and hone those newly developed skills, and increase your desire to get the Z1R on the road. No riding = no passion = big project left on the side of the road. That Z1R is a valuable bike and it deserves to be properly re-built in what ever form. I wish I had one.

Just a little inspiration for you here. This is my bike when it came home with me. Seem familiar to you right now?



This is about where I'm at now. I have polished the side covers since this picture, so hopefully it looks a little better.



I'm still accumulating parts to build another motor for this bike. That's the disease. Kawius Dissassemblus. I'm beyond help.

damn josh you done a good job on that thing !

love it everytime i look at it.

oarhead,
thats some solid advice he just gave.

leon

Welcome, welcome, welcome!
I don't live too far from you, Bigfork, MT (just south of Glacier National Park). If you wanted to go back to stock airbox and exhaust I would GIVE you mine. It is just collecting dust since I switched to a new pipe and pods. I think it would fit (somebody correct me if I'm wrong). If you had a reason to come this side of the border then I'd be happy to give another KZer a hand. The pipes are aftermarket 4 to 2 in nice shape and the airbox is stock with brand new boots. Of coarse you will have jetting issues but it sounds like you have them now anyway.
Terry

Thanks for the advice all and the offer Terry. Apparently my exhaust is not as bad as it looked. I am going to see what I can do with some media blasting and high temp paint. Hang on to yours as there may be a more deserving home in the future.

Josh, your bike looks pretty damn good to my eyes. I would be more than happy to find that in my garage in the morning (assuming I had a garage). I am taking the path of #1 for the time being. Maybe with a few new parts thrown on or cleaned up old ones. I definitely want to get this thing on the road sooner than later. I can chip away at the Path #2 in future years. After reading some of the threads that people have posted about rear end swaps, I am aware that I would very quickly get in above my head (and wallet).