1980 Z1R Recently Purchased

Hey guys, I guess I haven't shared this with the group. Two weeks ago I bought an 80 Z1r and I was really liking the mods done to it, smooth bores, lockhart OC, well most of them anyway, bleh on the bread toasters and chrome plating, but I have questions.
The bike and engine look really clean but has 78 head on it and the tank looks like a 78. I would like for those of you who know the differences to chime in. All that I know from reading is that the 1980 Z1r's are a bit rare compared to the 78's. I also wondered why they went back to the 19 inch wheel and a lot of people told me it was because they had them laying around. What I read that makes more sense is the handling on the 78 with the 18's was shaky and the 19 inch wheel cured that.

The only thing I noticed different on yours that differs to my 80 Z1R D3...was the head,the smaller tank,and the rest of the bling attached.
They added the 19" front wheel for better handling..... as your mentioned. www.zowners.com.au/Default.aspx?pageId=1113746

Thanks M8. Say, I happen to be drinking a drink from Australia as I type. Bundaberg Ginger Beer, damned good, the rum? Not as sweet on my palate but then again, Puerto Rican rum hits the spot.
Looking forward to traveling that way one day soon.

0Z.Z1R Mk2 wrote: The only thing I noticed different on yours that differs to my 80 Z1R D3...was the head,the smaller tank,and the rest of the bling attached.
They added the 19" front wheel for better handling..... as your mentioned. www.zowners.com.au/Default.aspx?pageId=1113746

The only way to find out is to check the VIN number and compare it or the plate on the head-stem which has the year of manufacture. The engine number would solve whether the engine is a MK11 or MK1.
Which ever your ride looks sweet I'd be happy either way.
How does it ride?

sweet score dude :woohoo: !

our aussie brothers seem to have you squared away.

leon

Wow. Nice. Very nice. Clean example of a bike thats been well taken care of... I wouldn't have any problem with havn'g that in my garage if u know what i mean :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

saxjonz wrote: I would like for those of you who know the differences to chime in.

Are you wondering what the different is between the 78 and 80 Z1R, or between your 80 and a stock 80?

For changes on your bike compared to a stock '80:
-seat, cylinder head, carbs, exhaust, airbox, gas tank ('78)
-The front fender is missing the brace/struts that run along the side of the fender.
-shocks (should be black)
-rear wheel?? (If it is a 16"... can't really tell, but that tire looks pretty fat for an 18")
-rear caliper (early LTD or KZ650C)
-chain guard (should be black plastic)
-swingarm (looks like is has the LTD two-bolt rear chain guard mounting tab)

Maybe your entire rear wheel assembly (wheel, brake, swingarm, shocks, guard, etc) is from an LTD?

Oh, and the serial number on the engine case will certainly shed light on the story with the engine...

Good points saxjonz the old magnifier must've been burning a hole in your computer screen, well picked up on the front fender, I missed that, the jury is out on the rear (apart from the obvious chain guard). The engine covers look MK11 but the head is definitely not.
Tell you what, ride it over to Perth Australia and we'll compare, good excuse for a holiday.
P.S the photo shows the brace (MK1 )

Here's the MK11 version with the kink in the brace.........

Bozo, are you from Australia as well? The weather here is not quite up for riding. 11 degrees at times and well, basically January weather. I should have ridden it home the day I bought it but, for other personal reasons and my wife, I decided not to.
I am Jonsin' to ride it really soon and I am contemplating getting away after Xmas and scooting on down to Florida or something just so I can put some miles on the old girl.

Bozo wrote: The only way to find out is to check the VIN number and compare it or the plate on the head-stem which has the year of manufacture. The engine number would solve whether the engine is a MK11 or MK1.
Which ever your ride looks sweet I'd be happy either way.
How does it ride?

Actually, I was interested in the differences between the 78 and 80. Like framewise, are they exactly the same frames. 18 vs 19 up front, does one handle better than another? I think it's clear that the MKII motor was improved from original but from what I read was that the frame geometry was different than the zed frames to account for the 18 inch wheel and that made the handling a little quick and less stable as a result. I have found a lot of what I have read is propaganda that came out to sell you on the newer is better philosophy. Some I can read through and others I don't know about. . Yes, I noticed that the fender was missing those supports. I am fairly clear that many parts the owner thought looked better were added for curb appeal. The LTD chainguard for one. I think whoever built the bike decided that the air pollution valve was not to his taste. It does have a lot of aftermarket period stuff on it like the Lockhart oil cooler, Of course the Vance pipe and other stuff I would have put on anyway because I like the superstock bike over the stock version any day of the week. The custom paint was also a nice touch but what I was really getting at is, beside the engine being a MKII motor which I think everyone would agree it is more stout and such, did the 18 inch in front really cause a lot of issues with handling? I was of the opinion that the rotating mass and wheel size was better off being the same front and back for handling purposes seems like the right thing to do. Of course I have not ridden either the 78 or 80. I just know that I like the rotors and tank from the 78 way much more than the 80. I also like the head and hopefully I will be getting this girl home soon. I am just trying to wait for all the snow and roads to get clean again as I have an open trailer.
I want to learn EVERYTHING about this bike. I have fallen for it in a hard way. Long live Kaw!

dohc wrote:

saxjonz wrote: I would like for those of you who know the differences to chime in.

Are you wondering what the different is between the 78 and 80 Z1R, or between your 80 and a stock 80?

For changes on your bike compared to a stock '80:
-seat, cylinder head, carbs, exhaust, airbox, gas tank ('78)
-The front fender is missing the brace/struts that run along the side of the fender.
-shocks (should be black)
-rear wheel?? (If it is a 16"... can't really tell, but that tire looks pretty fat for an 18")
-rear caliper (early LTD or KZ650C)
-chain guard (should be black plastic)
-swingarm (looks like is has the LTD two-bolt rear chain guard mounting tab)

Maybe your entire rear wheel assembly (wheel, brake, swingarm, shocks, guard, etc) is from an LTD?

Oh, and the serial number on the engine case will certainly shed light on the story with the engine...

Yeah, I will do that some day soon. I had planned and will soon within two years take a trip there to be in Zed paradise. I knew all of the aftermarket stuff from the get go, I was just curious as to why the 78 head and tank. The wheels are extraordinarily CLEAN so I am sure the owner made the decision to bling it out. Seat is NOT to my taste, nor are the chrome plated parts or toast warmers. I personally am a big fan of highly polished aluminum and will spend the time on my pieces till they get the shinier than chrome look that is oh so warm but that is just my preference. Superstock and ready to rock is my motto.

Bozo wrote:

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Good points saxjonz the old magnifier must've been burning a hole in your computer screen, well picked up on the front fender, I missed that, the jury is out on the rear (apart from the obvious chain guard). The engine covers look MK11 but the head is definitely not.
Tell you what, ride it over to Perth Australia and we'll compare, good excuse for a holiday.
P.S the photo shows the brace (MK1 )

I really like the relocated calipers and modern rotors. Good deal.