TOPIC:

Not sure where to place this post so I picked one and ran with it.

I have a couple bare frames that I'd like to build up as authentic as I can. Not doing showroom concourse builds but I would like them to be as actuate as possible….I don't trust image search on browsers. So where is the best place to get real reference photos???

Magazine reviews of the time and original sales litrature / hand books/adverts.
You can usualy dig up digital copies of original brochures online. Just search for every concievable combination of relevant words and use different search engines.

Micky Hesse black classic book and David Marsden original kawasaki z1 and both excellent books with lots of photos.
Building a bike from parts is expensive, typically more then buying one.

The Kawasaki Service Manuals and Kawasaki Owners Manuals contain lots of good, original photos. What models are you restoring? Some manuals may be available on this site. Ed

Currently a ‘76 900 A4 that’s complete so I think I’m good on that. But I have a ‘77 A5 frame and motor, serial numbers won’t match but they are verified ‘77 900 A5 . Too bad someone put a 1000 piston and jug on the motor. That’s why it not destin to be concorse correct but as period correct as I can get it.

73z1 wrote: Building a bike from parts is expensive, typically more then buying one.

I’m really close to having a complete bike. I had purchased several lots cheep years ago

I use the parts and service manuals as my primary reference. For Z1 correctness the best book by far is John Brookes' "Kawasaki Z1& Z2 1972-73 Restorer's Parts Book." It's also useful for 1974 and 1975. It would be somewhat useful for later years, but less and less as one gets further from 1975.

hardrockminer wrote: It would be somewhat useful for later years, but less and less as one gets further from 1975.

Thank you. Is there a simular publication for the later KZ's

Not that I know of.

An easy reference is partzilla. It breaks down the sub systems in a user friendly manner. Kawasaki used parts codes for hardware that tell the diameter and length. If you are picky about correctness for the smaller non stamped head nuts/bolts and don't want to spend a fortune sourcing oem. Just purchase some stainless steel fasteners from the hardware store and lap/sand the raised numbers off the top. Of course starting in 77 a lot of the hardware included raised 7's and 4's on non upset type bolts.

Thank you... I'm familiar with Partzilla…

Asphalt900.... (Kawasaki used parts codes for hardware that tell the diameter and length.) where would I find this code book?

Mikaw, here is a photo example from the "earlier" numbering system. Kawasaki changed it a bit but the last 5 numbers tell the diameter and length in new system. Also, from another thread, I have completed painting The USED OEM face for the 78 KZ1000 You were needing.