My 1978 Z1R Finally completed

  • 79MKII
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Re: My 1978 Z1R Finally completed

25 Jul 2012 16:43
#538567
Beautiful! Great job! Every time I see one this nice I kick myself for selling mine.
The Kaw List:
Current: 79 KZ1000 A3 MKII, 78 KZ1000 A2, 78 KZ1000 Z1-R, 78 KZ650 SR, 80 KE175
Former: 03 KLX400SR, 99 ZRX1000, 82 KZ750 LTD, 80 KZ1000 A4 MKII, 80 KZ1000 LTD, 78 KZ1000 A2, 74 H-2 750 Triple, 78 KL250

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  • 650ed
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Re: My 1978 Z1R Finally completed

25 Jul 2012 16:51
#538573
Stunning!!!!!!
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

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  • faffi
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Re: My 1978 Z1R Finally completed

25 Jul 2012 17:34
#538589
Jawdroppingly splendid!
1977 KZ650B1
1980 F1 engine
B1 3-phase alternator
B1 Points ignition

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  • KZJOE900
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Re: My 1978 Z1R Finally completed

25 Jul 2012 18:07
#538600
650ed wrote: Stunning!!!!!!

Ed already used the perfect adjective for it, lol! I'll have to use my second choice.

Brilliant!!!!!!
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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  • rstnick
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Re: My 1978 Z1R Finally completed

25 Jul 2012 22:55
#538677
Well done Wayne.
You did an excellent job.

A question for you.
Back in '78, the Z1Rs were rumored to be a little unstable at speed.
I've heard the 18" front wheel was to blame, and Kawi ended up switching to a 19" front wheel on the '80 Z1Rs.
Have you felt any issues with stablity or wobbles?

I have an 18" Z1R front wheel fitted to my '78 kz650c2, and took it easy at first to get a feel for her after the swap.
It's been a few years now, and have had no issues.
Rob
CANADA

Need a key for your Kawasaki? PM me

1978 KZ650 C2, 130K kms, Delkevic ex, EI, CVK32, PMC easy clutch, ATK fork brace, steering damper, braced swingarm, ZRX shocks, 18" Z1R front wheel.
2000 ZRX1100
2011 Ninja 250R - Wife's
2005 z750s (aka GPz750)
1978 KZ1000 project

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  • wireman
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Re: My 1978 Z1R Finally completed

25 Jul 2012 23:14
#538683

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posting from deep under a non-descript barn in an undisclosed location southwest of Omaha.

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  • 300kph
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Re: My 1978 Z1R Finally completed

25 Jul 2012 23:22
#538685
Never known a great handling bike the Z1R takes some getting used to.... Unsure if the larger wheel would work with the original fender... As it is its a very close fit. I put period correct tires on it... Dunlop Gold Seal which are a bit better than stock but the bike was only a peg scraper with the most skilled pilot.

As mentioned it has the same feel as when I owned it for the first time and I will keep it stock...

Next on the list is an upgrade of my MKII to blue tin and a period correct Kerker (unless some will sell me some minty stock take-offs.... been looking for the better part of a year. lots of ST pipes out there but no stock bazookas)

Thanks for all the kind words.

Wayne
1978 KZ1000 D1 (Z1R)
1979 KZ1000 A3 (MKII)
1979 Honda CBX (Candy Glory Red)
1980 Suzuki GS1100E (Silver)
1980 Suzuki GS1100E (Red)
1978 Yamaha XS1100
1982 Suzuki GSX1100S (Katana)
1984 Kawasaki KZ1100R (Silver)
2004 Honda Rune (Bloodstone Red)

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  • wireman
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Re: My 1978 Z1R Finally completed

26 Jul 2012 02:06
#538722
I wonder of some of the ill handling in stock form couldnt be improved by simply running thicker fork oil/progressive springs to compensate for the extra weight hanging directly on the triple tree area?
posting from deep under a non-descript barn in an undisclosed location southwest of Omaha.

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  • faffi
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Re: My 1978 Z1R Finally completed

26 Jul 2012 02:52
#538726
The main culprit of the handling issues come from the handlebar mounted fairing than gives input to the steering while also adding mass to the steering. In combination with very little rake and trail - numbers more typical for current sportbikes than for flxi-flyers of 35 years ago - the bike easily become nervous at high speeds.
1977 KZ650B1
1980 F1 engine
B1 3-phase alternator
B1 Points ignition

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  • kawasaki mike
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Re: My 1978 Z1R Finally completed

26 Jul 2012 14:41
#538779
Excellent restoration man. Looks like it just rolled off the show-room floor. Be proud.
Am addicted to Z1's and kz 900's have an el camino, fly rc helicoptors and am strung out on horsepower.

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  • jeffasaki
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Re: My 1978 Z1R Finally completed

26 Jul 2012 16:12
#538791
Beautiful
You outdid yourself with that build
78 Z1R
78 KZ1000
76 KH500 gone
71 HS1B 90
81 GS 1100 gone
80 PE400
02 KLR


Ontario Canada

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  • dejavoodo41
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Re: My 1978 Z1R Finally completed

26 Jul 2012 19:25
#538842
Beautiful Bike. Great Job
1977 KZ1000A With 1980 KZ1000A MKII engine, Wiseco 1105 kit, Dyna S Ignition, 3 Ohm Dyna Coils, Cams, Mikuni RS34 Carbs, Vance and Hines Pro Pipe with Comp Baffle

New Smyrna Beach, FL

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