The Z1 Rides Again... well soon! - Update

Hey guys,

If you remember I found this 75 Z1 in a garage with less than 5K miles on it. I paid $750 for it last fall and just started working on it the past month. If you don't remember, here's a quick recap

I originally rode an 82 KZ750 Twin that was a real dog. It was fun and all as a first bike but then I started looking for something more dependable. A guy at work told me about his niece’s bike. It was the 75 Z1-B. It’s the traditional “found in a barn” deal.

Here is the link to pictures I took in the garage.

The first picture is what I would like the bike to look like when it is done. It’s not the original exhaust, because stock replacement costs $1400.

Anyways the story is this guy bought the bike brand new and kept it until he died 5 years ago. The bike has been sitting for 6 years. The wife felt comfortable selling it to me because I am planning on restoring it. It’s a classic similar to a 57 Chevy and I could not bring myself to chopping this up. We agreed on $750.

I cleaned up the gas tank and carbs and got it running. This thing started right up on two cylinders and eventually got to 3. The 4th had a stuck float because gas pours out of the overflow and into the cylinder. I ordered rebuild kits for them.

The nice thing is the guy that owned it has the service manual and all the paperwork from the original purchase receipt to any receipts for work done to the bike. Right now I am just trying to get this running because I need a dependable bike to ride. Eventually when I’ve got my fancy engineering degree finally and making good money, I plan to do a true ground up restoration. Until then, it will have to do for now.

The carbs were pretty gummed up and they are soaking as we speak. Here are some pics to update you on what is going on.

I also bought some exhaust pipes on ebay

Like I said this is going to be my daily rider until I get out of college and then I'll restore this to it's original condition, without the original exhaust mind you.

Post edited by: kiriuskris, at: 2007/03/09 14:15

yeah i remember that bike,cool!yeah its too complete of a bike to hotrod;)

Yes, I also remember that scooter...it now is your permanent obligation to keep that Z1 on the road:laugh:

Hey, our club(see avatar and sig line) are having our annual Shakedown ride up to Peoria on April 7th. We are meeting at The Brass Ring at around noon-ish. Feel free to stop by and hang out/ have lunch with us. Would like to see your bike in person if it's up and ready by then.
Good luck with the resto!

Post edited by: Draco, at: 2007/03/12 15:13

hey looks like you have found a great base to build your dream. thanks for picking my bike pic as what you want it to look like. it was deliverd last night so i'm hoping to post more pics this weekend. good luck with the project

Ah, the memories! Goodluck with your restoration. It will be a classic. Wireman, I thought you were to shy to use your real photo as an avitar?

Great find! Would be great restored. Keep the pics coming!

:woohoo: $$$750.00!!!!! Holy Crap I've paid more than $750 for several single items on my bike.

So when they say ride it like you stole it...

Totally cool restorable bike. Keep your eyes and ears open and you may find a good set of the old 70 lb. original exhaust pipes!:evil:

skippr76KZ wrote:

Ah, the memories! Goodluck with your restoration. It will be a classic. Wireman, I thought you were to shy to use your real photo as an avitar?

where you been hiding at?:woohoo:

Ok guys, as you can see the carbs really needed cleaned. All I can do now is wait for the kits to come in!

Tada!

how did that thing sound with the massive turnout on it?