My 74 Z1 900 project

Ok guys, I have my 74 Z1 running and riding like a dream other than
the occasional backfire on decelleration. I have been really
looking at it and want to know just how original it is other than
the obvious 73 model engine on it. It was built 08/73, and is
titled as a 74 (clear and in my name). I had asked a while back
about the frame and engine numbers and this is what you guys came
up with for me.
My next question is how to tell if the tank is original? I just
sold an original tank on ebay that was on a 75 Z1. The emblems
screw holes were 5 1/2 inches apart. The ones on mine are a little
bit closer, and the emblems are smaller. I hope I didnt screw up by selling that tank!! My other question is, how much difference is
there between 74 guages and 75 guages? I fitted a set of guages
from the 75 on it as I didnt like the little bitty chopper set that
some idiot put on it. The original mileage of course is unknown as
the little custom crap guages read 3,400 miles. The ones on it now
read 28,000 some odd miles. The rims I am assuming are original,
the side covers are also original and I am missing one of the
emblems. I just bought a stock handlebar that should arrive soon,
as well as the guage idiot light cover. I had to do a little
doctoring to the wiring to make it look a little more crisp. I
found a set of original turn signals front and back. It obviously
doesnt have the original paint. How much does that hurt the value?
It looks really nice but does have a few flaws here and there. I
have actually thought of repainting it to the original color. How
much would it hurt to strip the black paint off the 73 engine? I
know I am bouncing all over the place with this post but I didnt
want to have 15 different ones sorry. I guess it all boils down to
what a realistic value would be for the thing.
Also note that I fitted a kerker 4 into 1 header and pipe and took
off that black THING that was on it. By the way how do you guys
like what I did with the rusty old shocks that I found? It at least matches the paint!! I still need to get a new chain for it but dont
know how to tell which one I need. I am also going to rebuild the
master cylinder and fit new front brakes to it. The rear brakes
looked brand new. Just a few bits and pieces and I guess it will be
done. Sorry, I am long winded. Thanks, Joe.

your chain size should be a 630 series as far as the length you should count the pins, also its comeing together,keep up the work and pics.

Here is a link to some info on the Z1 tanks.

www.z1enterprises.com/reference/z1-tank-guide.aspx

Ok guys, I think I have screwed up. My engine is a 73, and my emblem size on my tank indicate that it is a 73. The bike was built 08/73. I titled it as a 74!!! Can I fix this? This really sucks. By the way for any of you techies my frame number is Z1F-21504 and the engine is Z1E-09573. What can you make of it? Maybe someone took a 74 frame and put the 73 components on it? I think I am getting more frustrated by the minute.

jdsmithinc wrote:

... My other question is, how much difference
is there between 74 guages and 75 guages? I fitted a
set of guages from the 75 on it....

From Exhaustive Development History of Z1
(Excuse caps -- original text is all caps)

With credit and thanks to
DAVE MARSDEN
DECEMBER 1998

1974 Z1 -- INSTRUMENTS:

THE SPEEDOMETER STAYED THE SAME BUT THE TACHOMETER
WAS MODIFIED.
THE FACE OF THE TACHOMETER NOW HAD A SMALL RED LIGHT
ON IT WITH THE WORDS "STOP LAMP" ABOVE IT. THIS WAS
THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE WARNING LIGHT. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE
APPLIED THE LIGHT WOULD GLOW, BUT IF THE TAILLIGHT BULB HAD BLOWN,
THE LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF TO WARN YOU SOMETHING WAS AMISS.
THE IDIOT LIGHT WARNING CONSOLE WAS ALSO MODIFIED.
THE ORDER OF THE LIGHTS WAS CHANGED, NOW THE RUNNING ORDER WAS,
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, TURN, NEUTRAL, HIGH BEAM, AND OIL.
THE WORDING FOR THESE LIGHTS WAS NOW PRINTED BELOW
THE LIGHTS AND NOT ABOVE LIKE THE 1973 Z1 MODEL.
BECAUSE OF THIS THE INSTRUMENT WIRING LOOM WAS ALSO CHANGED
TO INCLUDE THE EXTRA WIRES REQUIRED FOR THE STOP LAMP WARNING BULB.
THE MOUNTING BRACKET FOR THE METERS WAS ALSO MODIFIED
IN ORDER TO ACCEPT THIS NEW TACHOMETER.

NEW PART NUMBERS:
TACHOMETER 25015-025
METER LOOM 25011-042
IDIOT LIGHT COVER 25023-011
METER BRACKET 25008-036

1975 Z1 -- INSTRUMENTS:
ONLY THE SPEEDOMETER WAS CHANGED ON THE Z1-B. THE NUMERALS ON
THE CLOCK FACE WERE NOW IN INCREMENTS OF 10MPH INSTEAD OF 20MPH.

NEW PART NUMBER:
SPEEDOMETER 25005-121

---

Being titled as a 1974 seems okay to me as being
consistent with the frame number on which
most titles are based, and refer to the number as
the vin or vehicle identification number. Perhaps
some states (USA)or other jurisdictions might
issue titles based on the engine number instead
of the frame number, but I'm unaware of any that
do so (and haven't researched the matter).

There is another forum for those interested in
absolute 100% correct restorations. It's been cited
here before on KZr (by McDroid, and maybe others),
but I don't remember the website offhand.

Good Luck!

Try this link for frame numbers.

www.hleng-it.dk/rep/Kz%20page.htm

Looks like a 74 to me:)

Here are some more pics of the bike I have been working on. I just got the handle bars and idiot light cover. I bought a new clutch cable and a reflector for my rear shock. I repainted the guage covers and they look pretty darn good if I do say so myself. So what do you guys think so far?

For those of you who dont already know, here is what it started out like.

One thing I noted while riding it is there is a little bit of wobble to it since I put the new chain and the handle bars on. What did I do wrong there?