Saving this '78 Z1R from certain death.....

I recently picked up this '78 Z1R on the local craigslist. Guy didn't even know what he had. His father was about to take it to the DUMP!
It is titled and has all the badging. Original carbs which have been rebuilt and I believe original 4/1 kherker (has some rust on header but not in too bad of shape). Inside of tank is clean and I have all the badging and rear caliper as well. Not running of course, no starter, tires are shot and wheels were spray painted. Hand controls will have to be replaced.
I know it's hard to put a price by the pics, but any of you guys with Z1R experience have a ballpark idea of what it's worth?. Thanks in advance for any help. Russell

You have the cleanest garage I have seen in quite some time...and condition is everything in valuing a 1978 Z1R...so to maximize your salvage, you have to have some sweat and money equity...if not, as a titled non-runner, you might get US$1500...others might have differing opinions:)

Heck Micheal your right down the road from me; I'm in the Meyerland area of Houston.

You know, I thought I had seen that bike on CL, but I wasn't sure...that is a nice bike, are you looking to sell it immediately or are you going to keep it?

Definately worth keeping and fixing...for sure!
Are you trying to sell it,or just want to know if it IS
worth fixing?

It looks like you have all the vital parts there,so I would say
...GET IT RUNNING!:woohoo:

Check your PM micheal. Not really sure what I'm going to do yet with it Sandy, just trying to gather information. I have one other project at the moment so I'm not in any huge hurry.

you have already saved it,and for that i thank you.i am with mcdroid $1500.00 as is.i have a 78 and an 80,and would love to see yours restored and made road worthy,it's your toy so let us know what you decide.

Those carbs are not original nor is the exhaust. It is a worthy project however. A bit of TLC and you will have a bike worth some bucks. They were not good sellers when they were new but over the years they have developed somewhat of a cult following. One just sold on ebay with less than 1000 miles for $16,400.00.

Thanks for the info Gringo. I haven't pulled the carbs to see what size they are. Did the '78's have 28mm stock? I wasn't sure about the pipe either but I thought I had read that they came stock with a 4/1 and I had never seen a "Kawasaki by Kerker" stamp before.

Actually,I think that pipe IS stock.
Pretty sure they came stock on some of the Z1R's,but I could be wrong.

Russr33 wrote:

Thanks for the info Gringo. I haven't pulled the carbs to see what size they are. Did the '78's have 28mm stock? I wasn't sure about the pipe either but I thought I had read that they came stock with a 4/1 and I had never seen a "Kawasaki by Kerker" stamp before.

Your carbs appear to be 28's but they look like they are from a 74 or 75 Z-1 900 notice the different top caps. The Z1-R did come with 28's but they are the later style that have the caps that are held on by 3 screws. The Z1-R did come with a 4 into one but it more resembled a stock KZ1000 muffler in shape. The header you have was sold by Kawasaki through their accessory catalog and was made by Kerker. The pipe is "period correct" though and if in good shape won't really hurt the value of the bike at all.

Here is a pic of the bike that just sold for $16,400.00 it was ebay item#150251215311 there are more pics on the listing you might want to download them for reference. That bike was very correct the only thing I spotted that was not correct was the rear tire.

Thanks again for the info Gringo. Yep, my top caps are 2 screw.