Z1 Reflector forks 1973, Late 73

I'm doing a restore on a late 73. Came with One of each style fork lowers, One early nub and One later blended. Any one ever seen production bikes that were sold off the showroom come this way?

Hi asphalt900,
We've never seen early & late fork legs mixed on an original bike. Doesn't mean it didn't happen.

The date codes for Z1 fork legs are one of the few things that aren't well documented as to meaning.

Alpha-numeric stampings appear on legs above the axle clamps. If you can post the codes on your fork legs we can compare them to some bikes with known-original fork legs.

If you indicate the month of manufacture or ser.# we can give you a better idea of what fork leg would be correct.


Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Thank-You for the reply! DOM is 7/73. Early Nub date code is 0 N. Late Lower is 4 W. Seems too late, to me, for left-over early style lower to be used but was told it did happen? Any Info is appreciated! Thanks, Clay. Seems I posted this in the wrong section, can't figure how to move it?

Hi asphalt900,
It's fascinating that these old bikes still have things to teach us, even after living with them for 40+ years.

We've received various responses to our queries. The most informative was from a Z-bike restoration specialist in Germany, whose depth of knowledge & documentation on Z-1's is encyclopedic. He indicates that the alpha-numeric stampings on the fork legs are vendor batch numbers. That's in line with other responses we've seen. Many more otherwise knowledgeable people have simply said "Don't know".

Even John Brooke's excellent 4th. edition Z1/Z2 restorer's parts book shows only a speculative "Date codes?" comment for the fork leg stampings.

Nothing at all in the Dave Marsden or Mickey Hesse books.

Most major parts & sub-assembles on Z-1's have well-documented date codes cast, stamped or printed on them, but fork legs apparently are an exception.

Still have feelers out for any observations of mixed fork legs from the factory. We'll let you know if any credible responses are made.

We've been unable to locat our itty bitty inspection mirror here at home. Once located, we'll be able to check the fork leg stampings on six Z-1's without removing the front wheels. We'll let you know what we find.


Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

WOW! Thanks for looking into it! I've had my share of these over 35+Years and still learning new stuff everyday. Of course back in the day we just rode them and didn't give a hoot about date codes, proper nuts/bolts, ect..ect.... Should of paid better attention to the small stuff. Again, Thank-You Clay

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationHere is another set of mismatched forks. I have seen at least a dozen Z1's with different forks legs including a 75 a bought a few years ago. Just sayin'

I fail to see a difference between the forks. Can someone please explain it to me? Thanks.

Mellvis wrote: I fail to see a difference between the forks. Can someone please explain it to me? Thanks.

The leg on the bottom has the more-pronounced fender mount boss, commonly associated with early production.. They were easily broken.
The one on top has the later production, reinforced boss; a thicker casting.

We've never personally seen a known original Z1 with mixed bosses.


Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

We completely forgot about looking at date codes. Apologies. Will do so tomorrow.

asphalt900 wrote: Thank-You for the reply! DOM is 7/73. Early Nub date code is 0 N. Late Lower is 4 W. Seems too late, to me, for left-over early style lower to be used but was told it did happen? Any Info is appreciated! Thanks, Clay. Seems I posted this in the wrong section, can't figure how to move it?

Awrright..., sorry for the delay.

Codes on our bikes are as follows. All are known-original:
'73 (late '72 mfgr. date) Z1
06 and 01
Both with early-style fender bolt bosses.

'73 Z1 (late '72 mfgr. date)
06 and 06
Both with early-style fender bolt bosses.

74 Z1-A (early '74 mfgr date )
42 and 05
Both with early-style fender bolt bosses.

'74 Z1-A (late '73 mfgr. date)
L7 and 72

'75 Z1-B (mid 75 mfgr. date)
NY and TD

'75 Z1-B (early '75 mfgr. date)
LD and DW

Unknown origin/date lower leg set w/heavy bosses.
72 and 72

So, it looks like as production progressed, batch indicators tend to transition from numeric, through alpha-numeric , and into straight alpha batch codes, at least from this small sample size.


Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

No clue where you are from in this world? But the ebay ad with both, I would be bidding on it to win. This way you have 2 early legs to sell. That's if the correct left-right issue matches your predicament Keep the correct for your ride! would suck if they were same side. (the early ones) ??
The early would bring good money!! OINKJOHSON the ebay pig could get $1500 with his gang of bidders for an early set of the lowers. You might get $4-$5 hundred.
Those early legs were on the first 1,800-2,000 bikes produced. Sept. 72 batch.
Check into it? I would.