New Z1 Owner

I just confirmed with Kawasaki Customer Support, the number stamped on my frame is for a 1974 Z1-A and my title also confirms that. So unless someone re-stamped the frame at least that's right. I've been looking for a number on the engine and haven't been able to find one. It is stamped 903 cc but that's the only number I was able to find so far. I'll keep looking.

OK, found the engine serial number: Z1E 106014. Called Custom Support again. They said this engine was made in 76 . So what I appear to have is a 74 Z1-A with a 76 KZ 900 engine. Does this make the project not worth dropping another 3 or 4 grand? How bad would it be to have $7000 bucks in this bike once it's in excellent condition?

You are right, according to www.zedder.com/msg1.htm , the frame is a 74 Z1-A. But the engine is a 76 KZ900 A4 or LTD. Which also explains the KZ900 VM26's carburators. Even though the VIN matches a 74, the battery looks to be mounted sideways and low, like a 76 KZ900. Look at the batter location on my 76 KZ900. Low and mounted sideways instead of high and front to back.


And from a Z1:


So not sure what is going on with that.

This is making less and less sense the more I find out.

I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. If your plans are to ride it you still got a good deal. A 74 z1 frame alone will bring good money. Try to buy one for half what you paid for that bike. You won't be able to. Looks like it's got a mix of parts from a KZ900 on it. that's ok. The engines are the same, just made later. The battery box was changed on the KZ900 to stiffen up the frame. Sounds good to me. I'm not a purist but I would upgrade the rear shocks since they're not Z1's. There are tons of options out there and they are far superior over stock. That goes for all of it, not just the shocks. Upgrade what you have to change anyway. make it more comfortable and better functioning. Anything you take off you can sell to recoup costs. It would take a lot to get it to a total stock condition and try to sell it for top dollar. But if you are going to ride it, it looks all good to me. I would get some z1 motor mounts so you can put z1 sidecovers on it. Then get a reproduction body set all painted and ready to go. Decide what you want to put back to stock, and in the meantime, RIDE IT! At the end of the day you got a rare running bike for 3 grand.

In our opinion, best use and most economical path would be to do a clean & tune to make it a nice daily rider. There's lots of Z-based frankenbikes out there, probably more than original bikes. They're sorta like Legos; lots of stuff fits lots of earlier & later stuff.
As far as what a title says, they're not always reliable. We had a Z1-B that had a title from the early '80's listing the (correct) motor # as the VIN #. That was fun to get corrected!
If you wanted to do a "correct" restoration it's possible, but would be expensive.
KZ802 is right on in his assessment - for not much more investment you'll have a nice, relatively rare daily rider.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Robb2018 wrote: This is making less and less sense the more I find out.

No it makes a lot of sense. . You bought a 76 kz900 that has a re-stamped frame with a 74 z1 title

Thanks, I'm going to look into that. If I can get the bike nice for 7 or less I'd be good with that.

I had the wreck in 86. Had Lester mags 1015 kit, etc. Bought a frame I got screwed on while I was still on the mend. Not a Z1 frame. I had all the parts from a wrecked KZ 900 I had so I put together a running bike. In this state it would only be a salvaged title no matter what I did. I rode the piss out of it until it needed another overhaul. Being a single parent there was no money for that so it sat under a tree 15 years. Hell it was $500 just to get it legal again. This time I got all the goodies I always wanted, new bearings front to back and went through the engine. I stopped counting at $3500. She always needs something and I don't care what she is worth. It's what she's worth to me that matters. Besides if I run through a mud puddle or I get a ding in the paint or the seat has a tear in it, that just gives her character. I would like to go back to the blue Z1b scheme though. :whistle:
My advice is get where you like it and RIDE THE PISS OUT OF IT. :woohoo:
Steve