1973 Z1 rebuild

wrote:

I try to bag everything with parts from each assembly in a separate bag.  I also try to keep everything in a bin.  But I still lose things!

Those front reflectors should have a black ring around the outside.  Kawasaki still sells originals.  You can get them from Partzilla.

 

I have bagged everything up but I have no idea where they are - they should turn up eventually. 

wrote:

wrote:

I try to bag everything with parts from each assembly in a separate bag.  I also try to keep everything in a bin.  But I still lose things!

Those front reflectors should have a black ring around the outside.  Kawasaki still sells originals.  You can get them from Partzilla.


 

I have bagged everything up but I have no idea where they are - they should turn up eventually. 

They will show up in the last place you look…. 

I have bagged everything up but I have no idea where they are - they should turn up eventually. 

They will show up in the last place you look…. 

Well I found them, in the box under the wiring loom !
Then I snapped the backing plastic on one putting it on 

Got some more bits today, a new 5/8 master cylinder, a complete set of short stem indicators (or blinkers or whatever you want to call them !) and a oil tank strap.

 

Getting a package of new stuff always makes me feel good!

I couldnt resist the temptation to do a test fit of the indicators (or blinkers, or flashers or turn signals or whatever you call them )
I went with the short stems as other things on the bike will be short (mirrors, handlebars, and the bike itself is 2" shorter)
Retro fitting the blinkers was always going to be fraught with danger, and I soon found out it was going to be one step forward and 2 steps back.
Firstly I found out that I only have 2 of the specially shaped rubber bushes, so will need two more.
Because I dont have the original headlight brackets I had to modify the alloy aftermarket ones to get the diamond shape of the stem thru them.
 
Now to the rears - I need the earth wires that have a metal and rubber bush.
I layed the wiring loom down under the bike and searched for the wires that the power and earth feed to without success.  I got the wiring diagram out and eventually cut away the plastic cover from the tail light loom and found the wires had been cut and buried in there.
A quick look at Z1 spares shows that a new rear loom is $20 aud and pair of earth wires and fittings $18 aud. For $38 I wont even attempt to fix that old mess.  The order is in.
Luckily I found the feed wires for the front indicator at the front of the loom.  Also found the feed wires for the relay in the middle. Not so bad, things could have been worse !
 
 

I really struggle to understand why some people took signals off their bikes.  Hand signals are the only alternative, and while I use them on my bicycle I have no desire to do it on a fast moving motorcycle.

wrote:

I really struggle to understand why some people took signals off their bikes.  Hand signals are the only alternative, and while I use them on my bicycle I have no desire to do it on a fast moving motorcycle.

 

It probably seemed like a good idea back on the 70's ! 

Just like removing the perfectly good 4 into 4 and installing a 4 into 1.  How about lacing a 16 inch rim to the rear or installing 8-10 inch over fork tubes with pullback handlebars. That's just some of the things these poor bikes had done to them In the 70's. Oh I forgot about the King and Queen seats and those twisted highway bars bolted across the front tubes.

wrote:

Just like removing the perfectly good 4 into 4 and installing a 4 into 1.  How about lacing a 16 inch rim to the rear or installing 8-10 inch over fork tubes with pullback handlebars. That's just some of the things these poor bikes had done to them In the 70's. Oh I forgot about the King and Queen seats and those twisted highway bars bolted across the front tubes.

In the UK generally it was more about a "piper" 4-1, 2/4 sport seat and lower bars but we didn't have Dennis Hopper as a role model 

I resemble those remarks 
DD

WHAT?? I did it all! Cut stock ppes off at rear of pegs! Threw out center stands! Cut stock air boxes in 1/2 just to remove! But Z1's / KZ900's were only $100 -$400 dollars all day long!And you all know the rest! Every one tells the stories. But I lived them!    Going thru some old files. I have over 25,000 pictures on a hard drive. Come winter I should save all the Kaw Z/KZ pics. Hope file is useable?