1975 z1 900 front end upgrade

I called the sand blast shop today and the parts are not done yet. They will be done tomorrow. Ill post pics on those later. Im still looking for some carbs, but any thoughts as to keep the ones I have or go stock? I appreciate all the replies as this is becoming a great project. I have the bike stripped a bit more down and all the wiring is out. I am having a hard time getting the batter box out. Im sure Ill figure it out tonight.

The engine covers were just polished not painted from the factory. Same with the fork legs. Later on they coated the fork legs with clear. The legs are actually a satin type finish. You can get the look by polishing the leg, then in ONE direction use some Scotchbrite pad to achieve the satin look.

The battery box pulls straight up. It can be a bitch. There's round insulators that get jammed up.

Thanks for the info Kidkawie. The battery box has a piece behind it towards the rear wheel that is stuck. Its as if its a tray thats attached to the battery box. Its rusted on their good if its supposed to separate. Ill take pics today.

You have to remove everything from the box, I think there's a bolt on the bottom going through two tabs. This is the only photo I have. Ramove the tool tray too, two 10mm bolts inside on the bottom.

Thanks Kidkawie. I did end up finding the two bolts. They were so rusted they looked like they were part of the bracket. I also got a lot done today. Bike pretty much down to the frame, parts back from sand blaster, and some light organizing complete. Here are the latest pics....

A few more pics of tear down.

I was reading through the paint forum and found this:


This is very close to what I want to do. I know a lot of replies were to polish the engine, but this black (satin or matte) looks pretty good with the gray tank. I was thinking I would go gray and black striping for the tank, side covers, and tail.

I would love to hear more thoughts and suggestions (with pics) if possible. Thanks.

The (bent) bracket on the bottom of the battery box is the air box support.

It's too bad you got those covers blasted, it's going to take some doing to get polished again. I stopped using commercial sandblasting companies because they like to use train track bed for media.

The flaking on the covers was so bad. Way too much to have them chemically stripped. They are not that rough at all, im actually quite surprised.

Kidkawie wrote: The (bent) bracket on the bottom of the battery box is the air box support.

It's too bad you got those covers blasted, it's going to take some doing to get polished again. I stopped using commercial sandblasting companies because they like to use train track bed for media.

That grey is a sweet looking bike...having the covers sandblasted will help a lot if you go the black painted route, personally I think a satin black would look a lot better than the matt black in the picture. Polished covers would also look great with that grey colour but that will be a bit of work as Kid says.

I think you are right... The satin would look much better. Its tough. I am not sure if I will polish or paint.

I really like this look with the aluminum color fins.

bluezbike wrote: That grey is a sweet looking bike...having the covers sandblasted will help a lot if you go the black painted route, personally I think a satin black would look a lot better than the matt black in the picture. Polished covers would also look great with that grey colour but that will be a bit of work as Kid says.

While I am on here and searching.... What do I do about all my rusted and nasty bolts (chassis bolts, nuts, etc)?

I think you reconditioned all your bolts Kid Kawie? Ill look through your posts, but I thought I saw someone else on here who did theirs. Any info would be great. Cheers.

Also, I got all my POR-15 rust preventative paint, and chassis paint. I finished blasting my swing arm and trying to decide if its worth my time to blast the frame or pay the blaster who did my covers $40 to do my frame and save my time. Tough one. Do it myself and take a few hours or get my frame back in one day while I work on other things. Sigh....

I am excited for the POR 15 frame painting to begin. Battery box, tool, holder, triple tree, frame, swing arm and some engine brackets.