1977 KZ1000 A1 Turbo, Complete Restoration

Greetings From Beautiful Boise.

I own a 1977 Z1000A1 that has been heavily modified: Lester Mags, Turbo (1175cc, pistons, sodium valves, trans modificaitons), etc. The engine was built by RC Engineering in 1983, if memory serves... Quite a zippy machine.

The bike has been dormant since approximately 1985.

I'm considering doing a complete restoration of the bike, but most probably going back to natural aspiration. "Stock" is not the goal.

Is there a shop or two anywhere in the USA (but preferably in the west) that is a good combined resource for parts, machining, & expertise on such a machine? For example, I'll probably just go with a crate engine but will most certainly customize the cams, carbs, swingarm, ignition, etc., and would like a single source for the entire project...and all of the emotional fatigue I'm setting myself up for.

It's a bike of some sentimental value and has made some remarkable runs between Phoenix and Los Angeles in the mid 1980's.

Thanks!

Back atcha Igeis! Welcome to KZR. Why don't you contact APE at www.kzzone.com ? Jay at APE has been very helpful to a number of KZR members. There are also KZR members who have completed similar projects...for example, see this thread: kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...w&catid=11&id=336107

Thank you very much, Mcdroid! It just so happens that the bike is being stored just above Santa Barbara, so Rosamond might be fairly convenient.

Welcome to KZR, sounds like a great project bike you have. Why not the turbo.

Mark

Thank you, Mark-it's a great resource and I'm glad I found y'all.

I'm old and mellow now-no longer need the turbo to complete the satisfaction of ownership. It wasn't the most "driveable" bike in that configuration either, but that may have had something to do with the nature of open roads in the southwest and the way we had it tuned.

This is a project hinged more on sentiment than need, but I would like to be able to very occasionally ride it various places without the noise issues (it is loud), heat/maintenance, or outright temptation. Natural aspiration, a high quality rebuild, and ~100hp would suit me just fine.

Oh for Pete's sake...now you've got me thinking about it...:silly:

My brother and I have actually discussed putting that particular engine on a lawnmower...

with the newer carb options out there its possible to build a much more ridable turbo bike these days.

Or a more ride-able turbo lawnmower, too, I guess... :blink: :dry:

You know, I've checked into Mr. Turbo and their numbers do match up with what I was told the bike would put out (160hp, 12-14lbs boost) when I bought the turbo system...and they do have a nice selection of parts...

Now you've got me thinking...

May I ask another question, then...what's a good source for replacement road swingarms? As it sits is would act a bit rubbery under load-but that may have been my imagination...

Guys with 1000's use a Suzuki arms or you can try to find a Cal Fab arm.
Mark

Here are some photos of the bike from about the time it went into mothballs-sometime around 1985.

I'm going to get out to southern California sometime around September to pick it up-it's at my brother's home near Santa Barbara (Lompoc).

Based on the provocative input y'all have made I'm trying to convince myself to simply upgrade the turbo system (boost gauge, carb, wastegate) rather than switch to natural aspiration. Now my life is complicated, and I suppose that throughout the project it will get no better.

One of my pilots actually rebuilds WWII aircraft, and painted a Grand Champion homebuilt at Oshkosh several years ago-so I am commissioning him to come up with a powdercoat/paint scheme.

Budget is $20K.

Detail of the turbo installation...