KZR's Bikes of the Month for 2024

Big Mikey's 1974 Kawasaki Z1-A

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19 Dec 2017 13:53 - 20 Dec 2017 09:37 #776353 by Big Mikey
Big Mikey's 1974 Kawasaki Z1-A was created by Big Mikey
Hi all -

I just finished this build in time for winter, figured I might as well post up some photos somewhere.
A bit of background, my dad got this bike from a coworker of his sometime in the late 70's/early 80's. However it was in boxes and nothing was assembled. It sat in my parent's garage for about 20+ years. When I was about 13 we assembled it for the first time, but were not able to get it running (for more than a few seconds). After that it sat in my parent's garage for another 10+ years.

3 years ago I brought the bike from my parent's house to my house, so that I can get back going on it. I decided to start from scratch as I was finding too many issues to make it an easy start-up (example: engine case was cracked). This past weekend I had a chance to fire it up, synch the carbs and finish assembling it.
I want to thank Leon for providing his services for the triple tree, swingarm pivot and front sprocket.
Last edit: 20 Dec 2017 09:37 by Big Mikey.
The following user(s) said Thank You: 531blackbanshee

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19 Dec 2017 13:55 - 20 Dec 2017 09:41 #776355 by Big Mikey
Replied by Big Mikey on topic Big Mikey's 1974 Kawasaki Z1-A
Some more...
Last edit: 20 Dec 2017 09:41 by Big Mikey.

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19 Dec 2017 13:55 - 20 Dec 2017 09:42 #776356 by Big Mikey
Replied by Big Mikey on topic Big Mikey's 1974 Kawasaki Z1-A
...
Last edit: 20 Dec 2017 09:42 by Big Mikey.

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19 Dec 2017 13:56 - 20 Dec 2017 09:43 #776357 by Big Mikey
Replied by Big Mikey on topic Big Mikey's 1974 Kawasaki Z1-A
There's a few more photos I will upload at another time...
Last edit: 20 Dec 2017 09:43 by Big Mikey.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Kray-Z

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  • Kray-Z
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  • I need more power Scotty....
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19 Dec 2017 16:11 #776364 by Kray-Z
Replied by Kray-Z on topic Big Mikey's 1974 Kawasaki Z1-A
Very Nice!

Awesome engine paint work.

One little nit-pick - get better rear shocks - those ones are too wimpy for anything bigger than a KZ650.....from experience.....

2-04 R1, 81 CSR1000, 81 LTD1000, 2-83 GPz1100, 3-79CBX, 81 CBX, 3-XS650, 84 Venture, +parts
Quote "speed costs money...how fast do you want to go?" (Which Z movie?)
Universal formula for how many motorcycles one should own = n + 1, where n is how many motorcycles you own right now....

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19 Dec 2017 16:22 #776366 by GregZ
Replied by GregZ on topic Big Mikey's 1974 Kawasaki Z1-A
Dude with the crazy prices of Z1's nowadays you could sold that bike and bought kz900 rat bike to start with. Heck I would have traded you this 76 and some cash your way for that bike ! If you want to sell the stock parts please let me know

Attachments:

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20 Dec 2017 09:49 - 20 Dec 2017 09:58 #776410 by Big Mikey
Replied by Big Mikey on topic Big Mikey's 1974 Kawasaki Z1-A
Kray -Z,
Thanks for the comments, I did change to different shocks... when I post those photos, you should see. But I may change them again in the near future.

GregZ,
I definitely hear you out. I was definitely considering keeping it a stock restore. But there were issues with the bike that made me go otherwise. For instance, the bike was not numbers matching. There was already damage to the frame from being dropped in the past, etc. Either case, I decided to go the path I did.
I do have some stock parts I will sell in the future, but they are not in good shape.

I'm new to this forum and am having an issue with uploading photos. So please bear with me, and have some patience if my posts look out of whack.

The photos attached to this post are showing the rear-set mounts I made, rear passenger pegs, as well as frame bracing and new mounts for oil breather/rear master cylinder.
Last edit: 20 Dec 2017 09:58 by Big Mikey.

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20 Dec 2017 09:52 #776411 by Big Mikey
Replied by Big Mikey on topic Big Mikey's 1974 Kawasaki Z1-A
Photos attached show some more frame bracing, a steering damper mount and some paint work I did:

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20 Dec 2017 09:58 #776412 by Big Mikey
Replied by Big Mikey on topic Big Mikey's 1974 Kawasaki Z1-A
Carb disassembly/assembly
Engine re-assembly (had crank welded, bored cylinders 1mm over, undercut 2nd gear, few other odds and ends)

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20 Dec 2017 10:02 #776413 by Big Mikey
Replied by Big Mikey on topic Big Mikey's 1974 Kawasaki Z1-A
Parts back from powdercoating - rest of the bike being put back together...

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20 Dec 2017 10:03 - 20 Dec 2017 10:07 #776414 by Big Mikey
Replied by Big Mikey on topic Big Mikey's 1974 Kawasaki Z1-A
Final post.... (again sorry for a sloppy job posting all of this)
Bike finally complete (for now).
Last edit: 20 Dec 2017 10:07 by Big Mikey.

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20 Dec 2017 12:36 #776427 by Kidkawie
Replied by Kidkawie on topic Big Mikey's 1974 Kawasaki Z1-A
Nice job! What did you use for the swingarm? What modifications to it besides the shock mounts?

1975 Z1 900
1994 KX250 Supermoto
2004 KX125

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