Dan's 73 Z1 build

Hello there,

I'm new here and wanted to open a thread on my 73 z1 build to help me keep up with progress/ document for fun. I pulled the matching number frame and engine out of a junkyard for $55. The frame is Z1F-042xx and the engine (stored inside thank god) is Z1E-043xx, the build date is 12/72.

As far as I've got to date is:

I've got a set of repro bodywork, brown and orange, from z1enterprises on the way with emblems( screws for them too), fuel cap, rubber dampers, etc. I have the idiot light cover coming from z1parts and some other small things.

The original items I'm going to use I picked up from the local scrapper, and they look good!
The original seat off the bike, needs pan painted but almost no rust
found a set of gauges off a kz900 to reface as 73 gauges,
rear grabrail off my dads original z1a he bought new, found in attic,
front and rear fenders, look good
and a set of z1r wheels that are going to be painted black

Started trying to paint the frame, but stopped about a quarter of the way and decided to just splurge and get the thing powdercoated, the paint I am using just won't do the bike justice and I won't be happy with the finished product.

I'll keep the updates up to date and I love this site!

Thanks,
Dan

Sweeeeeet!

Keep em' coming!

If the frame info label on the steering neck is still intact, powder coat will likely ruin the label, which seriously devalues the bike.

Would think twice before powder coating. Could consider having frame sand blasted (except for the label area), and repainting.

Just my 2 cents.

Good Fortune!

How's the Z1R rear wheel (disc brake) going to work out in place of the Z1 rear drum brake?

Good Fortune!

Here's a pic of some of the parts, will more than likely sandblast the frame myself to avoid having to choke someone for destroying the vin tag.:laugh: some of the parts will be alright to use as is, but I've got a feeling the front caliper will have to be rebuilt and powdercoated.










Dan

ive often wondered how hard it would be to have some duplicate stickers made for steering heads with build dates on them,i guess i could compare some to see if theres any real differance other than build dates.

greasepencil wrote:

Hello there,

I'm new here and wanted to open a thread on my 73 z1 build to help me keep up with progress/ document for fun. I pulled the matching number frame and engine out of a junkyard for $55. The frame is Z1F-042xx and the engine (stored inside thank god) is Z1E-043xx, the build date is 12/72.

As far as I've got to date is:

I've got a set of repro bodywork, brown and orange, from z1enterprises on the way with emblems( screws for them too), fuel cap, rubber dampers, etc. I have the idiot light cover coming from z1parts and some other small things.

The original items I'm going to use I picked up from the local scrapper, and they look good!
The original seat off the bike, needs pan painted but almost no rust
found a set of gauges off a kz900 to reface as 73 gauges,
rear grabrail off my dads original z1a he bought new, found in attic,
front and rear fenders, look good
and a set of z1r wheels that are going to be painted black

Started trying to paint the frame, but stopped about a quarter of the way and decided to just splurge and get the thing powdercoated, the paint I am using just won't do the bike justice and I won't be happy with the finished product.

I'll keep the updates up to date and I love this site!

Thanks,
Dan

That bike warrants as much originality as can be had. Spoke wheels, exhaust, etc.

I just did my 75 frame and like yours the frame tag was intact. I started stripping the frame by hand using various air tools then decided to buy a sand blaster. I bought a cheapo suction-type from Grainger for $115. I bought bags of play sand from Lowes for $3 a bag and ran it through the supplied sifter. It took a few hours to finish but I'm glad I did it. That frame is a bitch trying to do by hand. I masked off the tag with blue painters tape. I used "Professional" Rustoleum primer and painted with PJ1 Fast Black epoxy frame paint. The frame took 2 cans, probobly could have used a 3rd. I'm going to use the same paint for the battery box and various black parts on the bike. The finish isn't super glossy, more like medium to low gloss which I like. The sandblaster comes in handy all the time. Today I blasted the battery box, lower triple clamp, various brackets and the seat lock. It's totally worth having it on hand and I'm still not even through one bag of sand yet. One thing though, you really need a water seperator for it to work properly. You'd have the best results with a pressurized-type sand blaster, which is what I would have wanted. But cash is tight and I have alot of crap to buy yet. My thread is "75 Z-1 900 Resto"

The reproduction 73 z1 bodywork from z1enterprises came in yesterday and I was blown away by the paint quality...it really is in my opinion the best way I could have a nice bodywork set for the bike other than paintworkz...I'll have to get some pics up sunday, sorry, I'm the best man at my buddies wedding tommorow and feel terrible from the bachelor party last night...

Dan

Here are the pics as promised, the only reason I'm kind of a little disappointed is now I have to build the bike to the level the bodywork is, I was wanting a rider with good paint I wouldn't be afraid of riding!









-Dan-

I sure would like some of that beautiful bodywork for my bike but I will have to wait.

Kawickrice wrote:

I sure would like some of that beautiful bodywork for my bike but I will have to wait.

tell me about it that is pretty darn clean lookn body work. I would be scared to ride it!