Restoring a 1976 Z900 A4

  • KZJOE900
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Re: Restoring a 1976 Z900 A4

02 Feb 2021 17:27 - 02 Feb 2021 17:28
#842883
Current project 76 KZ900 (This was a Vetter model)
76 KZ900
81 XJ550H SECA (Current Project)
82 XJ550R SECA
Past:
86 FJ1200
74 Z1900
72 CB450

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Last edit: 02 Feb 2021 17:28 by KZJOE900.

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  • Kaylinator
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Re: Restoring a 1976 Z900 A4

02 Feb 2021 17:31
#842884
Looks amazing!
1978 KZ1000-A2
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613296-1978-kz1000-a2-barn-find

1978 KZ400-B1

2022 Z900RS SE

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  • dancragin
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Re: Restoring a 1976 Z900 A4

25 Jun 2021 09:48 - 25 Jun 2021 09:51
#850738
Well my 1975 build date A4 900 is done. I have put about 60 miles on it so far and it seems to be running in well.

Everything is original, or like original upgrade. I hade the factory gauges rebuilt and used the shorter turn signal stalks and mirror mounts. I have all new factory decals.
I installed the Z900 dual disc upgrade.

The changes to the suspension really made a the difference. I changed to caged bearings in the steering head and rear swing arm. The front forks got new tubes
and Racetech bypass emulators, the rear shocks are period looking rebound adjustable ICON shocks. the bike is very stable and predictable in corners.

The engine is completely brand new, only upgrades are better cam chain parts, 1st overbore, better valves and seats, rebuilt clutch basket and crank. I'm running it in on
brake-in oil.

Only problem I have had is with the fuel pipcock. When warn it only wants to run right on reserve. Im gonna go non-original and just run a Pingle valve.

Thanks for all the help everyone has given me. All total, I spent about 14k, including the cost of the bike. What do you think a 98 point A4 is worth?

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Last edit: 25 Jun 2021 09:51 by dancragin.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Dragbike_Mike

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  • hardrockminer
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Re: Restoring a 1976 Z900 A4

25 Jun 2021 09:51
#850739
Good stuff!  I continue to have problems with my original fuel valves on my Z1's.  I stubbornly resist going to Pingle but the stains on my shop floor from leaks are bothersome.
I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.

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  • Mikaw
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Re: Restoring a 1976 Z900 A4

25 Jun 2021 15:31
#850760
Good job looks fresh… 
1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.

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  • z1kzonly
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Re: Restoring a 1976 Z900 A4

25 Jun 2021 16:51
#850761
Very Nice! Mecum Quality!
Enjoy it!
Livin in "CheektaVegas, NY
Went thru 25 of these in 40 yrs.
I SOLD OUT! THE KAW BARN IS EMPTY.
More room for The Old Girl, Harley 75 FLH Electra Glide,
Old faithful! Points ign. Bendix Orig. carb.
Starts everytime!

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  • Barry1
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Re: Restoring a 1976 Z900 A4

26 Jun 2021 19:25 - 26 Jun 2021 19:30
#850788
   Outstanding .....A job well done.   
Last edit: 26 Jun 2021 19:30 by Barry1.

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  • Stereordinary
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Re: Restoring a 1976 Z900 A4

26 Jun 2021 19:39
#850789
Awesome! Love seeing stuff like this. 
A breeze from the west.
‘90 ZR550 Zephyr

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  • Ian_B
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Re: Restoring a 1976 Z900 A4

27 Jun 2021 02:41
#850792
Beautiful work, well done! That must be the only bike that looks good in brown :)

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  • 750 R1
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Re: Restoring a 1976 Z900 A4

30 Jun 2021 16:50
#850983
You have a beautiful bike there,  well done....

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  • dancragin
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Re: Restoring a 1976 Z900 A4

01 Jul 2021 11:48
#851018
I've put about 100 miles on the bike so far. The Pingle fuel valve corrected all the fuel starvation issues. I had to use a Copper Cometic
head gasket on this build and I think that was a mistake. They took .020 off the head when it was rebuilt, so I needed a thicker gasket 
to get it back to stock. Its a one piece gasket and they tell you not to use the center o-ring. The stock setup uses 2 gaskets and an 
o-ring for the cam tunnel. Long story short, I have oil leakage from the front and rear of the cam tunnel. Anyone else experience this?

I retorqued the head, so I will see, but I have a feeling I'm gonna need to go with a composite gasket.

Anyone know what taking .020 off the head will raise my compression to with the stock gasket?

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  • hardrockminer
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Re: Restoring a 1976 Z900 A4

02 Jul 2021 04:53
#851083
The calculation is tedious but fairly simple.  But I would be more worried about slack in my cam chain.
I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.

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