Looking at this 73 Z1 for sale

A guy I know recently turned me on to this.  It's a 73 Z1 that supposedly was running before it was put away a couple years ago.  I only have this one picture but the worst thing I can see is what they did to the engine and engine side covers... and valve cover.  I won't know more about it till I go look at it on Friday.  He's asking 8,000 for it.  What do you all think?

There is no frame reflector mount on the LHS, that a good sign. Look for cracks in the front frame tubes where the neck brace stop. Make sure the carb have the large center drain screw. It has the correct fuel cap, although painted. An original chain oiler would be a bonus. Tool kit and paperwork. I’d print out or copy down the engine and frame serial number from Zedder and take it with you. Looks good from one picture. If it’s a matching numbers bike and has a potential value of over 20k it worth a serious look see for the asking price. 

Only thing we can add to Mikaw's response is it has the later fork legs.  Clocks & centerstand are missing, easily rectified.  Pics, pics & more pics! 

If it's really a '73 it would be very hard to go wrong for $8K.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Added to the above....what is that orange thing on the right side control?  

The biggest issue...is it really a Z1?  Look for the frame stamp on the right side of the headstock.  It should read Z1F-xxxxx from bottom towards top.  Look at engine serial number located near the oil filler cap.  It should be within 300 numbers of the frame if it's the one that was originally installed on the bike.  The serial number should be Z1E xxxxx.  (no dash as with the frame S/N)  The S/N plate should not have a raised edge as was done with later bikes.

Early frames had a tendency to crack near the frame gusset on the two front down tubes.  Look near the two holes in the gusset.  I had one with a crack in the left (rider left) tube.  It's not a fatal flaw...it can be repaired but will require completely stripping the bike.

If your plan is to restore this bike then you will wind up spending twice as much on the restoration as the current asking price.  So the asking price is more or less irrelevant.  If you want a nice Sunday rider you will probably spend half as much as the current asking price.

Front fender looks painted.  Fork reflectors look to have silver around the edge.  They should be coloured black.  If the engine cases are powder coated it will be impossible to clean and re-use.  But if they were rattle can painted you should be able to strip them and restore them.  I recently picked up a set of wheels for my 650 rebuild that someone decided would look better painted rattle can black, including the spokes.  The paint is coming off fairly easily with stripper but it's messy.  Where do people get these goofy ideas?

Appears that he painted the Fr br master cylinder since he was also painting the engine & valve covers. perfect match for the fuel tank !!!

ps: something doesn't look right, though. aside from the orange, that is.

Thanks everyone for your input.  The plan is to drive out and take a good look at it this Friday.  I'll take a bunch of pics and post them when I get back and you all can determine what we've got.

72-73 z1 start at 00001 to 20000......engine and frame should be with in 300 at most and earlier models within 100.
If its a production model under 2000 that makes it an earlier model and has a few different items then the later ( over 2000 ) models have. $8000 for any 72-73 if 90 percent complete is good...$8000 for an early model is great
good luck 

I picked up the Z1 today for 7 thousand.  The good... rims are clean, tank is clean, motor appears to be original that came with the bike.  Biggest negatives are the painted case and the electrical is a mess... no harness, practically nothing under the right side cover.  Paint is new but it looks like someone found a root beerish looking base, painted the orange on and cleared it... did a decent job but the orange isn't even close to stock pattern.  I'm contemplating just getting a complete new body set from Z1 Parts and selling these to offset the price. Serial number is 10,629, motor is 10,366  The side covers look like repops anyway.  Here's some pics... what do you all think for 7k?**

Looks to be a mess, you want a quick profit let me know. I have just about everything to restore it. Cheers 

Parts are available, you can fix it, one of the best classic bikes.
 

I think you did alright.  You have a matching engine and frame and you have many of the other components.  You might want to consider re-painting your tank, side covers and tail piece.  I never sell original parts because they are worth more refurbished than new repro stuff.  Paintworkz does great work.

Nice find ,I agree with keeping original body parts if possible.
Best if luck with that beauty