73 Z1 mutt/mixed breed Build

Cra-z1 wrote:

All the welders I have used preferred to build up the fin rather than weld on a piece from another head. But I"m sure there have been others who have welded in donor fins

One of my many projects is the same fact. They preferred to build up weld. 

My new inner fort tubes are arriving today 36mm OD. I made yet another mistake and ordered stock Z1- KZ 900/1000 length tubes before measuring the length of the ones I have. Stock length is 24 1/4" or 24 3/16". The ones I have are 22.xx". I have another set of lower tubes without the inner tubes and measured the length of both pairs of outer tubes. The outer tubes that had the short inner tubes installed are about an inch shorter than the pair of outer tubes that don't have inner tubes. My question is, are the short forks from something other than a Z1 or KZ? Is there any detailed reference specs for Z1/KZ forks?

You could have some 36mm tubes from an H2 or triple. That was a common theme back in the day to drop the front end down a couple inches.

KZ650 forks are exactly the same length as Z1 or KZ1000 forks, but the tubes and lowers are different lengths.  But I can't recall if they are shorter.  The tube inner guts are different.

Lower fork tube length is identical on all our Z1's, '72 thru '75.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Thank you for the info provided by those who responded to my fork question. Here is a picture of what I have. The short ones are on the left with guts and the correct lower is on the right with the new inner tube. The mainspring length is 343 mm. I took both lowers and compared them with what's on my 77 and the one on the right matches it. My 77 manual says the mainspring should be 521 mm. Unfortunately, I do not have the guts to the lowers on the right and the lowers on the right are chromed and the chrome is not in very good shape. 
​Starting to get a little discouraged at this point. My next step is to evaluate the 76 frame I have, if it's straight I'll proceed. If it's bent, I'm probably going to give up and start selling parts:(

 

The Z1 forks have the reflector built in. The two examples you’re showing are 1976 and newer. What exactly do you need I have sever forks around I might be able to help.

Just my half-penny advise but since You have a 1973 Frame/Powerplant and "kinda" put the cart in front of the horse purchasing the NOS tank, why would one resort to later fork lowers? What is going to happen, and believe me it's always going to be yours but.. Take Matt's advise, keep it a true 1973. You'll wreck a 20K bike into a 3K bike immediately. But..as long as you don't mind it? It'll still drive and ride the same.  

Thanks Mikaw, I guess I need the guts for the longer forks at the least, and the lowers with reflectors preferably. See my next reply for my other thoughts.

Yep, I agree with your thoughts. It was a real bummer finding out the 73 frame is bent. Guess I should research getting that 73 frame straightened. The more I think about it, it doesn't make sense to use the 76 frame.

Don't fret!! I have a fella that can straighten that 73 frame!!

Actually you could pull it into submission yourself if you have a bit of interest doing so. AS Long as the head is not collapsed towards the rear. If it's just tweaked side to side as shown in pics posted, not a big deal.