1973 Z1 Maui

Yes

So far everything is pointing to an early Z1 that seams very correct. Great find

I found a set of what I think are good hollow cams at Johnny's Vintage and bought them. The machinist in me says I can't buff this lobe out and be confident it was ok. Yes, it would likely work but I'd always worry about it deteriorating and doing even more damage.

Good show!  Hollow cams are fairly rare.  They were only used on the early Z1's and were prone to breaking.

You say you are a machinist?

Hard rock, yes, I spent 20 years as a civilian building nuclear submarines at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California. It was a very rewarding time. Some of the most interesting stuff you can imagine. 

so, the head and cylinders are off. Pistons (.5 over) look perfect. The cam chain gear looks a little worn, cam bearings will be renewed. The cylinders still have some hone marks. Next I’ll remove the engine from the frame so it can go to media blast. I’ll empty the engine cases so I can get that ugly paint off. The paint is the tough part, cleaning the fins will be a task. Modern paint stripper sure doesn’t work like the bad old days.
I’m glad I found hollow cams. 
 

A very rare early cylinder head with press fit vaccum fitting on the intake ports, unbelievable!!! What are the frame and engine nummers???

 
 

Great photos!  Yes, that's a very early head.  It's a treasure!  Looks like the PO did the engine at some point.  I had a Z1B engine with original hone marks when I pulled it apart at 36,000 miles.  I guess if they're worn off then it's time to bore the barrels!

The paint will come off easily if vapour blasted.  The best guy here to advise you on correct paint is "slmjim & Z1Bebe"  He's forgotten more than I know about Z1s.

I'm glad to see this bike fell into such capable hands!  I would really have no idea what I was looking at (something as rare as they are saying), but always loved the Z1/KZ's.  I had a Z2 750 for a while until it got stolen.  Broke my heart trying to forget that bike.

Frame 01886
engine 01776

The lump is out on the floor, no one was around to help me pick it up to the bench so it will sit to tomorrow. I think I’ll replace all the motor mount fasteners, they were a mix of stuff. I looked back through the paperwork I got for it and when the engine work was done in 2009 they did all the cam chain stuff so I may only replace the soft parts.
No one vapor hones here (business opportunity for someone) but I may fab up some good blanks, seal them to the engine parts, plug all the threaded holes and have someone use some glass beads or something to get all the very bad paint off it. I’m thinking of VHT black for the engine. Of course I’ll buff off the edges of the sides and front of the fins. I may try spraying some hi temp clear on the edges to slow down the corrosion of the exposed metal, it’s a big deal here. I wash my stuff with a deionizer (CR Spotless) which helps wash salt spray away. The frame will be gloss POR 15. I’m not a fan of gloss frames but Marsdens book says the frame needs to be gloss. 

Missed a photo
just a little too heavy for my old bones.
I’ll need to fab up a stand for the engine, I don’t think my CB 750 K3 stand will do me much good.

I used the PJ1 Fast Black chassis and engine paint.  So far I am impressed with the durability.

 

Bead blasting will definitely take the paint off, and will help long term with corrosion but it will give the parts a duller finish than vapour blasting.  

Yes, frame was gloss but not a high gloss...more like a high semi gloss.

This is one of my Z1Bs after vapour blasting.  Note that the barrels are on backwards!  But it gives you the look.  Mind you yours will be mostly painted black.  There is a website with a group of worldwide experts on early Z1s that you should join if you are looking for correctness.  I'm far from an expert. 

Here is the link.   www.kawasaki-z-classik.com/forum/index.p...5aab4688d315d884cb7a