1980 Z1R Recently Purchased

531blackbanshee wrote: i can tell you that my 1980 z1r is very noticeably heavier to stand up off the kickstand and push around the shop than any of the 78 z1r's that i own.

leon

Quit complaining. Want to move something heavy in the garage, try moving a C14. it's almost 700 lbs.

As mentioned, if your having triple tree bearing issues, switch to tapered bearings. I used All Balls in my Z1 triple tree and there is a huge difference. Steering is light but rock solid.

I've had more trouble with the rex dropping into slow corners until a recent tire change and racetech suspension upgrade.

Never had a drama with the big Z1R....its a pleasure to ride.

Congrats again on the acquisition L.J. BTW, let me know if we are road tripping to pick up.

les holt wrote: I have a couple bikes myself, the longer/lower bikes of equal weight push much easier than the "upright/original" bikes. Lower center of gravity, lower rolling resistance, at least when you're pushing it around the shop.
At any given time I have more than 1 stocker and 1 modded bike in my shop and I can honestly tell you, the shorter the bike in height, the easier to push around, they just seem lighter, guessing lower center of gravity changes it's personality Just an observation.

Les Holt

Seriously, one day grab a "low" FJ1200 and it'll change your mind, for some reason it defies all theories of lower bikes are easier to move. I have rarely felt as though the Z1R would drop pushing it around, The Yamaha requires a plan before you start, so far I have dropped it twice and my taller son once (no damage, just pride was damaged)

I wanted a FJ1200 and bought a new 1989 back in the day, wanted Z1R-TC and bought one of them. Out of all the motorcycles I've ever owned, those were my two worst disasters, but not the Z1R fault, it was that stupid turbo. I still have always wanted a 1980 Z1R though and probably always will. Good luck, the 80 was a huge improvement over the 78 in my book.
I don't remember the FJ1200 as being all that heavy, more the opposite, it felt light on the road. That was it's big downfall, real junk driving down the highway, following road irregularitys, any wind or even turbulence from trucks blew it all over the road like a 250. I was glad to give that one up and go back to the KZ1000MKII.

saxjonz,
Nice bike, please keep us posted on any upgrades you do.

RonKZ650,
Sorry about your bad FJ. They do need proper set up to work well. My wife and I have 3 FJ's, two 86's and an 89. All 3 are far from stock.

Bozo,
Very nice Z1r, lots of good mods. I like your front brake upgrades. I am using a pair of monoblocks on my B4 project, but sticking with stock rotors for now. EBC makes Pro-light rotors that have the correct 4 bolt mounting, I may try those later.

80B4, thanks for that, I mentioned previously on this forum why I changed my brakes, basically I was following a VFR750 when a couple of lambs (i.e New Zealand border collie) jumped out in front of him (approx 110kph) i was about 4 to five car lengths behind him with my son on the back.
Anyway we both slammed our brakes on about the same time accept he stopped and I stopped just beyond where he was just missing his bike (and my brakes were in good condition with a larger lever on the reservoir), the rest is history. I can assure you these and the XJR1300 rear caliper (I changed it since the avatar photo) brake extremely well thankyou.
I have to admit I was worried about stressing the forks/ legs but after all this time things still appear to be ok.
EBC rotors are bloody good (I have them on my FJ). What mono blocks do you have??, A lot of people don't realize that the Yamaha blocks are monoblock (one piece), I also use ZX1100 reservoirs for both clutch and brake.

It's look NEW!
Nice grab and it looks like a lot of fun to ride!

Bozo,
I have a pair of the early R1 blue monoblocks on my B4 but I am looking for a pair of the 02-03 R1 gold monoblocks. I put the Sumotomo monoblocks on most / all of our bikes! I will be using a ZX14 front master and a Ninja 650 clutch lever on the B4. I just found a ZX14 clutch and front master for my 89FJ.
Please post a photo of the XJR rear caliper mod you have done, it sounds good.
Jon

kz100ae071772 anyone have any idea which kz this would have come from? I am fairly certain that the original engine from this bike is long gone. All MKII engines would have the fin coming from the oil fill right? Is that motor much better than the 78 motors? Well, at any rate, I got the old girl home. Thinking of perhaps riding her a bit and seeing what she rides like. Guess I may pass it down the road as the serial number on the title is not the correct numbers for that bike and I can't find the serial on the frame. I pray this bike isn't hot. If it is I guess there will be a bit of drama coming my way.

saxjonz wrote: Well, at any rate, I got the old girl home. Thinking of perhaps riding her a bit and seeing what she rides like. Guess I may pass it down the road as the serial number on the title is not the correct numbers for that bike and I can't find the serial on the frame. I pray this bike isn't hot. If it is I guess there will be a bit of drama coming my way.

That sucks big time dude.... :huh:
Did you not check these things before you purchased it?

80B4 , note only one or two XJR1300 have this caliper, the others have a grey type. Because I have a different rear end I had to machine the bracket holding the caliper for the correct spacing for both the axle and the brake rotor.