TOPIC:

Hello.

I got this Z from a friend last year. He bought it from Trieste, Italy and then it stood in his garage for about 20 years and then he decided to give it to me. Unfortunately, I have no papers and documents, but that can be quite easily arranged here.
The bike is not in a perfect state, few scratches here and there, but I like it as it is.
First, I gave it a good shower and started to disassemble it. I protected the tank with special coating from the inside, then took the bike to the mechanic who checked the engine, rebuilded the carbs and made sure the engine runs well. In the meantime I ordered parts for overhauling the brake system. The exhaust pipes were not original and very rusty, so I will get some new ones done.. Now I'm taking the bike apart to get the frame repainted (this will be the only part repainted).
I didn't got any keys with the bike, so I asked @rstnick to make them for me. Thanks again, Rob!
I'm not in a hurry, so it might take about few months to get the bike on the road, but that is ok with me .

Welcome max, bike looks like a great survivor.

Good luck,
Jim

Thank you, Jim!
The bike is indeed in good shape, there is a bit of rust here and there (the reason for repainting the frame), but apart from that there is nothing wrong. The engine runs very smooth, although it's not fine tuned yet.

My kind of Bohemian Rhapsody! That's going be fun cruising through the Alps!

Nothing like the sound of a big vertical twin. Exhaust isn't easy to come by but you can find MAC 2:1 systems on eBay. I put a Supertrapp muffler on the MAC headers and it sounds magnificent.

Bowman wrote: Nothing like the sound of a big vertical twin. Exhaust isn't easy to come by but you can find MAC 2:1 systems on eBay. I put a Supertrapp muffler on the MAC headers and it sounds magnificent.

I was thinking about making my own, custom mufflers from stainless steel.. There is a shop nearby that makes exhaust systems. I would keep original pipes, clean and wrap them and put custom mufflers on. What do you think?

I'd see what the local shop quotes to make you custom mufflers. I think a new MAC system goes for about 300-400 USD including header pipes and muffler(s).

Custom mufflers could be pretty cool. Be sure to look at some they have built to be sure the quality is up to your expectations.

I would check their prices and quality of work, of course.
MAC complete system including shipping costs about 370$, but I can't decide which one I prefer... 2-1 or 2-2..

I listed a set of header pipes for a KZ750 twin, here on KZR a week or two ago.
I also have a set of what I think are original Jardine single pipes from my old KZ750 LTD twin.

Hi Bruce
I saw the pipes, I like them, but I think that shipping costs to Europe would be pretty high...

I called the local exhaust shop and the guy told me that old school mufflers go for about 315€ per piece ...
But then I looked in the Louis catalog (a store in Austria, not too far from here) and they sell universal (and good looking!) silencers for 60€/piece.

Here's a video I found:

And I was also thinking about replacing the old air filter with cone filters..

After owning many Britsh bikes in conjunction with my many Kawasaki bikes...I like reverse cone collector/mufflers.
I think we used to call them cocktail shakers, ...a million years ago.
I ship 40 lb - 60 lb boxes to Europe a few times a month and you are right, shipping costs are frequently absurd! But be glad you don't live in Australia or New Zealand!! Those costs are just simply INSANE!!