Just picked up a 78 Z1R

Hello everyone,

After 4 years of prodding I finally convinced my neighbor to sell me his Z1R. He disassembled it 8 years ago to rebuild/refinish and never got around to putting it back together. The problem is I don't have any reference photos of how the battery box area is connected and assembled. Everything is disconnected from the wiring harness.

I've been on bikebandit.com, looked over the exploded views and picked up a Clymer manual. Neither was very helpful.

Would anyone have any photos of the battery box (electrical components) fully assembled on a 78 Z1R?

I’ll post some photos if anyone is interested.

Thanks.

no pictures,but you sir are my hero of the day!

Welcome Kawzilla... see, persistence does pay off. I have no photos to assist you but if I were you, I'd ditch the Clymers and buy the correct genuine Kawasaki shop manual (source would be eBay and they are reasonably priced used). The manuals are spectacular and exceptionally informative.

welcome,interested in photos yes .
are you just needing to see what plugs into what in the wiring harness or how the box is mounted?
i am sure we can help you out,i can take some pics of my old dusty 1978 z1r if we need to.
what direction are you going to go with the z1r,stock,modded,resto.get us some pics of what you are working with and we can be more helpful.is all the bodywork and dash there?
welcome,

leon holmes

ah pictures?

Thanks Leon, the bike is a highly customized variety. Good thing being is my neighbor kept all the original parts (about 2 of everything). The motor is a fresh, never started 1428cc and has had everything imaginable done to it, including a 6 speed trans. All the engine work was done by a fellow by the name of “Jap George” in south Florida. The frame was powder coated too. It was all done 8yrs ago but never assembled. I cleaned off the half inch layer of dust and a beautiful bike appeared.

My objective is to locate and assemble all the parts with proper stainless hardware. I’m stuck at the battery box area. There are lots of connection and routing of wires, if I had a photo or two looking down at the battery box and a shot or two looking into the side panel areas that would be a big help.

I took some photos the day I pushed it into my garage and I’ll take some updated photos tonight (and post).

Regards.

sounds like a nice score.i will try to remember to get you some pics tonight. keep us posted,

leon holmes

Welcome to KZR and that sounds like a great score.

Mark

Thanks for the advice Mcdroid. I'm a little gun shy of purchasing another manual after the Clymer disappointment. Could you recommend a specific manual relating to the 78 Z1R’s?

And thanks to everyone else for the comments and warm welcome.

Don't be shy, the clymer is junk. You well not be disapointed with a factory manual.

Mark

Thanks Mark, nothing for the 78 kz1000's on ebay right now. I did find this from a company called Blujay. Anyone know if it's a legit company and a real factory book?

Here is the bike. Not much has changed, cleaned it up a bit and tightened down a few things. The front end is an 88 ZX7R and the rear is a ZX11, correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Starting to figure out the wiring harness. Notice the double valve cover gaskets...cams are huge, had to do that to keep them from hitting the cover. The large fairing is sweet and is sitting next to the original one. As I'm told there were only a few made and the mold was destroyed.

I plan to build the bike the way my neighbor envisioned it, and then in a few years bring it back to stock(ish). I'm still receiving parts as he cleans out his shed.

He dropped off the front end and a nearly new kz900 donor motor the other day. He had the motor for 15 years "just in case".

I'm set on my summer project bike.