What to do......

So now that winter has hit with a vengeance up here, I haven't had the time ti really start tearing the bike apart. I'm going to get the panels and the fenders painted. I'm also thinking about buying a whack of stuff from Z1 enterprise to have ready for the spring. I want to rewire the bike and although I'm not 100% sure how to do it, I'm pretty confident that I can figure it out. I was thinking about getting new pistons (1075 vs 1200 big bore ape kit?) I was thinking about also getting a new dyna s ignition kit and a new acewell gauge. I was just wondering how I would be able to use the tach function on the new gauge if the tach on the bike is mechanically driven? I'm sure that it is possible but I'm not sure how to do it.

You absolutely sure you need a second disk? Remember that adding 1 lb of unsprung rotating mass is like adding 20lbs (IIRC) to center mass. Plus, carrying that extra weight is going to make your front suspension less responsive.

You can spritz out your single disk setup fairly well. Stage it out as finances become available.

Good pads and stainless steel brake lines from Z1Enterprises.

Full floater OEM diameter rotor, also from Z1E.

Twin piston Nissin caliper from either ZPower Aus.

Or, if you really want to go top line, Z1E can get you a full kit from PMC Japan that is centered around a Lockheed twin piston caliper.



Yeah, the photo shows a dual disk but PMC also sells a single disk kit. Also, since the last time I visited the PMC site, it appears they have a 4-piston kit as well. Cool!

There's also an outfit in UK that sells a 6-piston cailper bolt on kit. PreTech?

WPBill wrote:

You absolutely sure you need a second disk? Remember that adding 1 lb of unsprung rotating mass is like adding 20lbs (IIRC) to center mass. Plus, carrying that extra weight is going to make your front suspension less responsive.

You can spritz out your single disk setup fairly well. Stage it out as finances become available.

Good pads and stainless steel brake lines from Z1Enterprises.

Full floater OEM diameter rotor, also from Z1E.

Twin piston Nissin caliper from either ZPower Aus.

Or, if you really want to go top line, Z1E can get you a full kit from PMC Japan that is centered around a Lockheed twin piston caliper.

Yeah, the photo shows a dual disk but PMC also sells a single disk kit. Also, since the last time I visited the PMC site, it appears they have a 4-piston kit as well. Cool!

There's also an outfit in UK that sells a 6-piston cailper bolt on kit. PreTech?

Boy is that a sweet brake kit!
I bet that dual kit cost's dual thousands of dollars!

This reminds me of my first kz, that thing rode great until i got home. Everybody told me to stay away from it, but something bit me. I built a garage, rebuilt the bike, learned more than i thought i ever could.

z1kzonly wrote:

Boy is that a sweet brake kit!
I bet that dual kit cost's dual thousands of dollars!

Using today's yen rate, about $1500 out-the-door at PMC in Japan. Take off about $100 is you don't want the master cylinder. Single cylinder kit is about 400 bucks less.

You can get them through Z1 Enterprises, although I don't know how much more S&H&C will cost you.

PMC also offers AP Racing 4-piston caliper kits, but I like the looks of the APR/Lockheed twin piston caliper better.

I took a look at the z1enterprise site and I couldn't find it. Is that a special order type idea? Those brakes look sweet though. Thanks for the tip.

there are so many disbelievers in this bike. They can't understand why I want to spend money on this thing. They can't even believe that I spent the money on a bike that old. It's going to be fun proving them wrong....

Before u start spending megabucks on upgrades,spend a few bucks and get a factory service manual.Then carefully go thru the bike and do all the routine maintenance that may or may not have been done in the past 33 years.drain the oil,new filter,new plugs and wires,set the time,clean the carbs,clean the carbs,clean the carbs,.Got the picture. The bike as is and properly tuned will have all the useable horsepower and handling u could ever possibly use given todays driving conditions. If after all that u still feel the need for speed,proceed with caution and deliberation.The bike u save intact today will be a genuine collectors piece tomorrow.BJ

31goodtymes31 wrote:

I took a look at the z1enterprise site and I couldn't find it. Is that a special order type idea? Those brakes look sweet though. Thanks for the tip.

Yup. You can get the full floater rotor directly from Z1E, but the sexy PMC stuff you call Z1E and have them procure from PMC for you.

Yeah I got the carbs done as soon as I got the bike. THey were pretty gunked up. I have the manual and I have done the basic maintenance stuff and had it running up until the weather got too cold to ride. So so far I've got the basic stuff covered. I just want this thing to be a one of a kind bike... with a few modern upgrades.

31goodtymes31 wrote:

there are so many disbelievers in this bike. They can't understand why I want to spend money on this thing. They can't even believe that I spent the money on a bike that old. It's going to be fun proving them wrong....

While it's a great passion with many of us (I have the same bike as you) and it a ton of fun restoring or modifying these old classics, your KZ will NEVER be on par with any modern sport bike, or even standard bike for that matter. Old technology, steel frame, heavy weight among many other things will always hold it back. If you keep this in mind, you will enjoy the bike for its classic looks, sounds and even it's quirks.

Enjoy!!

Does any one know where I can get an extended swingarm from? I was thinking about a 6 inch over?