Which would you build and why?

Before the year-end I want to develop a project bike that will be done both others, so my hope is to design the bike, break it down and send out to various shops for work, such as powder coating, chrome and engine. Then I will re-assemble.

You opinion is requested. If you had the change, which powerplant would you prefer and why?

Kawasaki Z1/Z2
Kawasaki Z1-R
Kawasaki KZ1000Mk-2
Kawasaki Z1000J/R

Well, if money were not an issue, I'd restore (a nice restoration) the Z1/Z2 (particularly the Z2...that is a rare little bird)...I'd be inclined to hotrod the Z1R...there are still many out there...I'd probably restore the MKII (there were only 9000 made)...and if I had a 1000J, I'd think about making as close to a real S1 as possible:) The real ones are made of pure Unobtanium (I'm guessing 27 produced?)

If you are just asking which engine i would build it would be the J. But if you are asking which bike it would have to be the z1r since i like those the best.

Back to the engine why the J because its got the best of everything valves head etc.

uh,i'm sidin with galaxian on this one.
leon

either the z1 or the z1r,ive been around them for 30 plus years theyre tough and ive got lots of parts!:laugh: the mkII's are just plain ugly in my book(sorry guys! )the R's and J's are highly overrated in my experiance

PLUMMEN wrote:

either the z1 or the z1r,ive been around them for 30 plus years theyre tough and ive got lots of parts!:laugh: the mkII's are just plain ugly in my book(sorry guys! )the R's and J's are highly overrated in my experiance

You're nuts, the MKII is the best looking motorcycle ever.
If I had to rate them on looks it would be a tie with Z1/MKII at the lead, then the J, Z1R last place.
A "J" is a real nice motorcycle, runs much better than the old engine but had reliability problems, and I'd agree on the ELR being overrated. It's just a J with GPZ1100 bodywork in green to me. I remember $1cc rebate Kawasaki was running in 1982-83 where you could buy new Js for $2500 and a R for $3000 or so.
Rethinking I did like the 80 Z1R in black, with the bigger tank, so I'd rate the 80 above the J, 78 below.

ok Ron has the exception to the rule!:laugh: the mkII gas tanks look like somebody had to lock up the brakes really hard and clamped down with their knees too hard to keep from flying over the bars,and the sidecovers ...... ok im gonna go hide now before Ron gets missile lock on me!:laugh:

Are we talking about the look of the engine or the whole bike? This started out as an engine discussion. If I were going to do an engineered bike, I would start with a KZ900 platform (CHEAPER THAN A Z1) and use an APE 1075 kit which keeps the engine reliable and parts are readily available. I would also buy aftermarket stator & reg/rec and use a new Z1 harness set and Z1 switch gear from Z1enterprises and put in a modern fuse box. I would use all new Dyna S, coils and wires... The KZ900 has a stouter frame and is cheaper to pick up in rebuildable condition. I think the KZ900 is about as good looking as you can get and would restore it to factory colors. I would get the wheels done by Buchannon using stainless spokes and Akront rims if I could find them. I also like the looks of the MK II but they are harder to find and more expensive to start with so would go to a KZ1000E platform which is cheaper and has the same looks and engine with a shaft drive as my second choice. The reason the shafty platform wasn't my first choice is that it has no electrical junction area like the Z1/KZ900... everything is wired directly which ain't bad but you couldn't take advantage of a new Z1 wiring harness with new Z1 switch gear.

i'd find a z1, modify the rear frame and stretch it, hartailed with a 10 inch (or more) slick on the back

keep the bodywork mostly stock, rake it, nice paintjob, oldschool wheels.

motor, 1428cc with a blower kit,J trans, slider clutch, mk2 crank welded. and running it on ethanol to make it almost streetable.

mmmmmmmmm:cheer: