76 KZ900 in storage since 1985. The journey begins.

Well, good news it is still there at my relatives….bad news it looks like 40 years of unheated storage was rough.

It is packed in pretty tight but I was able to lift the tarp and get a quick pic of front and back.

Just over 13,000 kms/8,000 miles on the odometer.

And don’t judge me….I was a kid….I’m sure that I read back then in the June 1981 issue of Cycle World that removing the stock chrome front fender and adding a black fibreglass one with hose clamps decreased unsprung weight and increased aerodynamics equivalent to adding 10 HP…..

Next step is to borrow or rent a trailer and get it home. 

Don't be discouraged, Jimbo.  My Z1 spent 8 or 9 years tucked away in my friend's garage.  Wish he had told me the roof leaked and everything inside was damp the whole time.  Lots of surface rust and crusty aluminum surfaces was the result, but I revived it.  Just took a little more time and a few more dollars than it should have.  Thank goodness there are used parts still around and a healthy aftermarket for the Z1 / KZ's     

Once you get it in the sunlight and give it a good detailing you might be amazed at how well it cleans up 

It's truly amazing what an old bike and a lot of money can do!

sf4t7 wrote:

Don't be discouraged, Jimbo.  My Z1 spent 8 or 9 years tucked away in my friend's garage.  Wish he had told me the roof leaked and everything inside was damp the whole time.  Lots of surface rust and crusty aluminum surfaces was the result, but I revived it.  Just took a little more time and a few more dollars than it should have.  Thank goodness there are used parts still around and a healthy aftermarket for the Z1 / KZ's     

 

After being away from motorcycles so long I figured parts would be non-existent.  I now realize after looking around a bit, how healthy the KZ community is.  OEM parts, repro and aftermarket, but best of all lots of information and enthusiasts around the world.  

hardrockminer wrote:

It's truly amazing what an old bike and a lot of money can do!

Hmmmmmm……that’s what I was afraid of…

Take a look at this month's BOTM to see what is achievable by re-furbishing as many original parts as possible, depends whether you want a presentable, usable "survivor" or a "showroom fresh" restoration (the spend variation is enormous)

Wookie58 wrote:

Take a look at this month's BOTM to see what is achievable by re-furbishing as many original parts as possible, depends whether you want a presentable, usable "survivor" or a "showroom fresh" restoration (the spend variation is enormous)

Yes, that’s something I’ve been trying to get my head around, what exactly am I trying to achieve?

Courses of action seem to be:

1.  Get it running with consumables such as fluids, brake pads/shoes, tires replaced and just ride it pretty much as is.  Pros: Cheapest option, lots of cleaning within my skills and time.   Cons:  Still might look pretty rough but then again I think I’ve only ever seen one 900 on the road around here (Eastern Ontario) in years.

2.  Full restoration to stock condition with OEM parts.  Farm out all the work, paint, plating etc.  Pros. Obviously a beautiful end product with value.  Cons.  Far beyond my financial means unless I take years and years to complete. But then I don’t get to enjoy riding.

3.  Restoration to stock but using mix of OEM, repro and aftermarket parts.  Pros.  Look and feel of an original with less money and time invested.  Cons. Not as valuable, anything else?

4.  Restore but with mods and accessories that personalize it and make it mine (exhaust, paint etc.). Pros.  Pride of ownership, unique and less time to restore.  Cons.  Not an “original” 900, but again, not many in the wild here in any condition.

5. Other options?

Thoughts? 

What have been others on the forum’s experience?

We reassembled a basket case that took us seven off & on years to complete.  We named it 'The Seven Year _itch' for a reason.  Box-stock, frame-up resto except for a Japanese repro tankset.  Multiple show winner & great rider..

We refurbed a box-stock, unmolested '73 Z1 w / stuck motor that had spent 20+ yrs. alternately in a barn & under a tarp in the very damp PNW.  Eighteen months of un-sticking the motor, then R&R every part, refurb & cleaning the original finish, taking great care to leave the patina of age.  A clean, original survivor in other words.  We intended to flip it from the outset,  and a broker from Japan gave us what we think was an insane amount of money for it the same year we completed it.

It's only original once.  Suggest nothing be done that can't be undone.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

slmjim+Z1BEBE wrote:

We reassembled a basket case that took us seven off & on years to complete.  We named it 'The Seven Year _itch' for a reason.  Box-stock, frame-up resto except for a Japanese repro tankset.  Multiple show winner & great rider..

We refurbed a box-stock, unmolested '73 Z1 w / stuck motor that had spent 20+ yrs. alternately in a barn & under a tarp in the very damp PNW.  Eighteen months of un-sticking the motor, then R&R every part, refurb & cleaning the original finish, taking great care to leave the patina of age.  A clean, original survivor in other words.  We intended to flip it from the outset,  and a broker from Japan gave us what we think was an insane amount of money for it the same year we completed it.

It's only original once.  Suggest nothing be done that can't be undone.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

I'm guessing you guys haven't seen BOTM yet ?

Over time as I can afford it. 

 

I vote for option #4.   Twice.