New Owner---Z1 900(I think)

I thought that i would take a sec to introduce myself. Yesterday I went to buy a 1982 Honda Silverwing from a guy here in Oklahoma. When I was about to leave he asked if I would also be interested a "old Kawasaki for $100? It has no title." I said "sure let's see it." He said he thought it was a 1974 model but was not sure. He inherited it about a year ago, knew nothing about the bike. He did have the key w/ it so I picked it up this morning w/ the intention of just ebaying the parts off of it. I have been looking at it all day and really want to keep it now. He threw in an extra tank(green/yellow) and two extra tale units. It has about 20K miles on it, and it's not locked up. It's really great cosmetic shape but it does not have a battery yet to see if it will start. Is it a Z1 or KZ? The side panels say "900 Double Overhead cam"

Is this a desirable bike? Is it pretty quick? Are they a pain in the rear just to keep them running? Basically, I'm just wanting to get the lowdown on this model.

Thanks

Jason
Oklahoma

risccas wrote:

....

Really, a bike in that condition is pretty much worthless. Too much trouble to even think about. I'll tell you what. I'll take it off your hands and even throw in an extra $20. 'Cause that's the kind of guy I am.


Welcome to the site by the way!

Post edited by: tganek, at: 2006/09/20 00:26

72-75 was z1s kz started in 76,pictures?

wireman wrote:

72-75 was z1s kz started in 76,pictures?

see what I mean? It's just too much trouble. I tell you what. I'll kick in another $30.

I will try to post a pic tomorrow. It is currently painted blue. There is a major bowl-like dent on the top of the tank, but the extra tank(green/yellow) has no dents at all. He had the exhaust off of the bike but all four pipes are in nearly perfect shape. Tires have plenty of tread but a bit ages. I will post pics asap.

Thanks!

Jason:

If you want to resell it to me after you pick it up, I'd be very interested and I'll drive up and get it...really:)

Jason,

These guys here are just funning with you. You may have stumbled on the buy of a lifetime. Those 4 exhaust pipes you describe as nearly perfect are worth about 10 times what you paid for the bike all by themselves. Sounds like from your description you have stumbled on a Z-1 of 72-75 vintage. Without seeing pics it is hard to pinpoint the exact year however the badging on the sidecovers suggests that it is pre 1976. The earlier Z's had reflectors on the sides of the front forks as well as the rear shocks, they also had a gas cap that did not require a key to open. Congrats on a killer score, throw up some pics and a frame number and we can determine exactly what you have.

Post edited by: The Gringo, at: 2006/09/20 08:38

Jason,

Do not believe anything the Gringo claims. As I live in Oklahoma I will be happy to relieve you of a certain headache, and give you 200 bucks to boot.

PM me :whistle:

Awesome score!
The 1974 Z1 was painted green/yellow or brown/orange. Sounds like the extra tank you have is from '74. The paint pattern was green, with a thin yellow stripe across the top sides, and a wide yellow stripe across the bottom sides. Just above the wide yellow stripe, theres a thin (about the same thickness as the thin yellow stripe) white stripe.
For God's sake, post some pictures!

Alright.. I'll give you $500.00 for the whole pile. But you have to pay for the gas for me to come get it;)
Pat

You guys all suck. I was going to tell him how worthless his pickup was and offer to take it off his hands but you all beat me to it:laugh:

Really Jason, if you hang around here long enough you will find out that you just won the lottery.

Not the powerball, once in a life time. Maybe the jackpot royal flush on a progressive dollar machine:laugh:

Glad to see you got it. Now that it is 'rescued' please tell us you are going to get it running and not parted out.

And don't keep us in any more suspense, pictures please or someone will hunt you down...:whistle:

I found a white sticker on the fram that reads like this:

"Kawasaki Heavy Industries LTD"
"10 73"
"GVWR 881 lbs"
"FAWR 324 lbs RAWR 525 lbs"
"Z1F-25293"

Z1F-25293 was also imprinted onto the frame.

The odo reads 28,748 miles. Does "10 73" mean it's a 1973 model? Like I said, the exhaust is in pretty good shape...a couple of very small dings and a few deep scratches. All the rubber carb boots seem good and soft. The seat looks great but I'm not sure if it's original(is it?). The spokes need cleaned real bad. So is this a 73 or 74?