TOPIC:

Prelude:
Vetter race team's 1978 KZ 1000, ridden by Reg Pridmore gained Reg his 3rd Superbike Championship.

I met early 80s racer Thad Wolff, who podiumed in the 80s with the greats, battling with Cooley, Rainey, Lawson and the others. Thad still works in the MC industry and we have all seen him as "the" rider in many motorcycle ads, test reports and commercials.

I had a 1980 Kawasaki Classic "G" model that was in ROUGH shape. The engine was solid and recently converted to Carbs from the stock fuel injection.

Thad and I were talking about the old days and he wanted to build an old racer, a bit more authentic then I desired, but he convinced me to build a race replica, and we soon found our inspiration in the Vetter bike... which was a 1978 KZ1000... so it became a memorial bike (similar) tot he race bike.


Under Way
The "G" model Kawi is now:
- 1105cc bore kit
- Mikuni 34mm RS Flatslides
- Dyna S / Dyna Coils / Accel wires
- New Barnett Clutch
- Straight Frame - Was bent - not tweaked - this frame probably ran into a wall at one time!

Thad's Work:
- Mounted and prepared #163 Race Plates for the front and sides - front pinned for ez removal to use headlight
- Cast front master cylinder off a '77 CB750
- NEW Lockheed front calipers - with custom mounts
- '78 solid rotors - carved
- Honda 305 scrambler steering damper
- Rebuilt front forks
- Custom made steel braided brake lines
- Black superbike bars fitted with TZ original race grips
- Frame bracing
- Removed passenger peg frame supports
- Removed old rear upper shock mounts and extra frame material in rear to lighten
- Rear set footpegs (using passenger pegs) replica style
- Modified rear brake pedal
- Modified shifter linkage - for rear set
- Custom rear master cylinder mount
- Forward mounted rear shocks for lay-down
- New Works shocks - special built with lower offset to accommodate new upper mount position
- Modified G frame to mount the rear 'ducktail'
- Rear tail light mount - removed rear fender
- Rear mounted oil cooler - replica style - and modified ducktail to accommodate - Drilled rear caliper
- Stainless side panels - replica
- Hand made 4" exhaust can - mild baffling - badged BASSANI - Ceramic Black coated
- 19" front and 18" rear KZ1000 rims - gold powder - replica of magnesium racers
- Pirelli Front tire
- Avon race rear - gained .75 inch in width to look better over pirelli
- all fresh satin black powder coating
- New White paint and replica graphics
- Remolded seat with new covering - sewn on patch - replcia
- many decals - replcia style

TODAY
Reg Pridmore signed the tank

Thad looks on as Reg signs

IMS Show LA
We found out that CycleWorld has asked that the bike be displayed at the IMS show in Los Angeles next week Dec 4-7. We need to finish this up quick to meet that deadline....

more pics can bee seen at my gallery - MikesBikeBarn

I will be updating as we complete.

Wow. That's great.
Nothing like recreating a legend with the help of legends.
Keep us posted.

What size front tire are you using?
Just curious as I'm installing an 18" front this Winter.
Not in the same league as your bike, but still not decided on the size.
Probably I'll use a 110/90-18 with a 120 or 130 18" on the back.

Cool! Thanks for sharing!

Very cool.That Vetter Z1 had a cover story in Cycle and a very good bike.Pridmore was a great rider on BMW's and Kawasaki Superbikes. His tuner,Pierre Des Roches was a genius in making Z's go fast in the early days of Superbike racing.

He blew up in practice at the 79 Daytona Speedweek and ended up against the fence right in front of us and stayed with the bike waiting for practice to end.I asked him to sign my program and handed it through the fence. He searched out the page with the pic of him on the Vetter bike and signed it.

Sorry - had a typo - 19" still on front for wheel.

Nov 78 Cycle World... anyone have a copy??

I have heard many stories of Pierre from Thad, who knew him well. The tail has the "Tuner by Pierre Des Roches" and will be signed by Thad as a memorial.

The at the signing with Reg.. he recounted several of the races. Reg was also the first rider to win a race on a Japanese 4.

Thad's tuner in the 8s for his GS1000 was "pops" Yoshimura's son Fujio. Thad was very anxious to do the exhaust remembering Fujio's expertise. In fact, Thad is looking to sand bend some header for my next project.

I thought I should share one... or more drooling experience(s).

I have my Ultimate Motorcycle planned out, but budget/economy has held me from doing the engine. I like the Kiehn carbs.

Thad was at Yoshimura the other day and called me with some great news... While talking to they guys at Yosh... Thad was shown these. Currently appears only on the Japan website.

www.yoshimura-jp.com/en/index.html

They are a limited edition of carbs TMR/MJN - Black with Gold accents... THAT WOULD BE THE BEST! Cost??

Dont forget to check out the full Yosh line for Z1 here
www.yoshimura-jp.com/en/products/street_...saki/z1_2/index.html

Those titanium smooth bend exhaust systems are beautiful!

No... that was the good news. No sponsored parts coming my why

Moving forward with the build

Right side



Top/Tank




Tail

Thanks for the update. Roy

That a cool bike, and a tribute to boot.

this is awesome!

leon holmes

Thanks!

I have to admit this was not my first choice of builds, since I have the modern/classic build on the rack, but as it came together... it got my attention and is a lot of fun.

Pridmore, Vetter and Wolff have been excellent in sharing the talents and knowledge of the original bike.

If all goes as planned, Craig Vetter will sign the tank on Thursday, so it will be there for the show.