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Hello from Idaho 23 Feb 2023 10:41 #880683

  • Idarex
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New member here.  Short Synopsis;  I picked up a 1974 Z1 from a local auction house last spring and it needs some work.  I wasn't of one mind what to do with it so I let it sit for about 7 months.  I decided two weeks ago to make it a daily rider but move it back towards original over time.  I've disassembled it, bagging and tagging all the parts.  I figured it would be best to register on a forum in the case I need help getting it back together.

Longer Version;  I learned to ride and got licensed in 83 on a KZ 750.  I had two different GPz 550s after that.  Then an 85 900 Ninja and a 85 GPz750.  I aquired a ZRX in 2004 to scratch that nostalgia itch but kept alive the idea of eventually getting an old KZ or GPz.  Spring 2021 fate smiled on me and I saw what I thought was a KZ sitting on the side of the road.  It was at a local auction house that does estate sales.  Turns out under the Vetter fairing, leather bags, and sissy bar was a 1974 Z1A.  I checked the numbers online to make sure they were correct.  I went to the auction and bought the bike.

It shows 41k miles on the clock.  The engine rolled over with the kick starter.  I got it home, put a battery on it, and fired it up.  I immediately had to shut it down as gas flowed out of every carb all over the engine.  I then put the bike away for the summer until I could decide what I wanted to do with it.  It has the wrong exhaust, handlebars, grab rail and seat.  It has an "aftermarket" 1970s custom paint job and pin stripping.

Two weeks ago I decided to get it back on the road.  I also decided any changes I make to it will be to return it closer to a stock motorcycle.  I am not a mechanic or anything close but after watching all of Johnny's Vintage vids on YouTube, I decided to tackle this project.  After taking the Z1 apart, I realized it had lived part of its life as a tour bike with a side car.  I used an angle grinder yesterday to remove the welded on side car brackets from the frame.  The frame and other parts are in the back of my truck waiting to be dropped off at the powder coater.  I shipped the carbs to George at Wiredgeorge Carbs.  I shipped the clocks to Bob at Z-Resto.  I took my forks to Braaap Suspension in Boise as he does all of my dirt bike suspension work.

Long story but that brings us to current day.  I keep pretty busy Spring Summer Fall with work and my other bikes but I am dedicated to getting this bike back on the road as a daily rider.  Thx -EP

Ok, let me try this insert pic again!  Doh
 

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1974 Z1A
2002 ZRX1200R
2021 Tenere 700
1980 KZ550
2012 KLX351S
2021 Beta XTrainer
2022 Beta 390RR RE
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Last edit: by Idarex.

Hello from Idaho 23 Feb 2023 12:40 #880684

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Welcome from the uk, looks like a good find hiding under all those "extras"

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Hello from Idaho 23 Feb 2023 16:30 #880694

  • rstnick
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Welcome.

Looks like you have a good history with Kawasakis.
Your allowed in. 

The big pictures are not showing up for me, just the avatar.
Rob
CANADA

Need a key for your Kawasaki? PM me

1978 KZ650 C2, 130K kms, Delkevic ex, EI, CVK32, PMC easy clutch, ATK fork brace, steering damper, braced swingarm, 18" Z1R front wheel.
2000 ZRX1100
2011 Ninja 250R
2005 z750s

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Hello from Idaho 23 Feb 2023 16:35 #880695

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New member here.  Short Synopsis;  I picked up a 1974 Z1 from a local auction house last spring and it needs some work.  I wasn't of one mind what to do with it so I let it sit for about 7 months.  I decided two weeks ago to make it a daily rider but move it back towards original over time.  I've disassembled it, bagging and tagging all the parts.  I figured it would be best to register on a forum in the case I need help getting it back together.

Longer Version;  I learned to ride and got licensed in 83 on a KZ 750.  I had two different GPz 550s after that.  Then an 85 900 Ninja and a 85 GPz750.  I aquired a ZRX in 2004 to scratch that nostalgia itch but kept alive the idea of eventually getting an old KZ or GPz.  Spring 2021 fate smiled on me and I saw what I thought was a KZ sitting on the side of the road.  It was at a local auction house that does estate sales.  Turns out under the Vetter fairing, leather bags, and sissy bar was a 1974 Z1A.  I checked the numbers online to make sure they were correct.  I went to the auction and bought the bike.

It shows 41k miles on the clock.  The engine rolled over with the kick starter.  I got it home, put a battery on it, and fired it up.  I immediately had to shut it down as gas flowed out of every carb all over the engine.  I then put the bike away for the summer until I could decide what I wanted to do with it.  It has the wrong exhaust, handlebars, grab rail and seat.  It has an "aftermarket" 1970s custom paint job and pin stripping.

Two weeks ago I decided to get it back on the road.  I also decided any changes I make to it will be to return it closer to a stock motorcycle.  I am not a mechanic or anything close but after watching all of Johnny's Vintage vids on YouTube, I decided to tackle this project.  After taking the Z1 apart, I realized it had lived part of its life as a tour bike with a side car.  I used an angle grinder yesterday to remove the welded on side car brackets from the frame.  The frame and other parts are in the back of my truck waiting to be dropped off at the powder coater.  I shipped the carbs to George at Wiredgeorge Carbs.  I shipped the clocks to Bob at Z-Resto.  I took my forks to Braaap Suspension in Boise as he does all of my dirt bike suspension work.

Long story but that brings us to current day.  I keep pretty busy Spring Summer Fall with work and my other bikes but I am dedicated to getting this bike back on the road as a daily rider.  Thx -EP
 

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Hello IdaRex,
Welcome to KZRider.
Did you by chance use the 'Back' button to fetch your pictures? If so please use the 'Attachments' button and browse for the pictures instead.
Bill/KZQ
www.KZ1300.com
Riders:
1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300
The following user(s) said Thank You: Idarex

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Hello from Idaho 02 Mar 2023 11:15 #880985

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Can lightning strike twice?

Yesterday morning a 1980 KZ550 popped up in a classified ad.  This morning, 335 miles and 5 hours later, it’s in the back of my truck.  Very happy!

 
1974 Z1A
2002 ZRX1200R
2021 Tenere 700
1980 KZ550
2012 KLX351S
2021 Beta XTrainer
2022 Beta 390RR RE
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Last edit: by Idarex.

Hello from Idaho 02 Mar 2023 12:58 #880986

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Can lightning strike twice?

Yesterday morning a 1980 KZ550 popped up in a classified ad.  This morning, 335 miles and 5 hours later, it’s in the back of my truck.  Very happy!

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Project fever is kicking in 

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Hello from Idaho 02 Mar 2023 15:36 #880990

  • Kelly E
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Next thing you know he'll have 13 bikes like us and realize that he has to sell a couple. Then the hard part starts, deciding which ones to sell.
But it's really a lot of fun getting to that point.
The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1981 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda Sabre 700
1984 Honda Interceptor 1000
1994 Kawasaki ZG 1000 Concours
And more
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Hello from Idaho 02 Mar 2023 17:59 #880995

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Nice project, where about in central Idaho. Im up north

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Hello from Idaho 02 Mar 2023 19:15 #880997

  • spdygon
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Awesome…I would cruise the way it is.
1982 GS1000sz Katana ( #15...17K Miles)
1982 GS1000sz Katana ( # 297....7100k Miles)
1978 Kz1000 Z1R. 10K Miles1
1978 kz1000 z1r 27k miles
1977 KZ 1000 A ( Project ) 54K Miles
1976 Kz900A4 (Red)21K miles
1976 Kz900A4 ( Red)7500 miles
1974 Z1 900 project
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Hello from Idaho 03 Mar 2023 07:01 #881029

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Next thing you know he'll have 13 bikes like us and realize that he has to sell a couple. Then the hard part starts, deciding which ones to sell.
But it's really a lot of fun getting to that point.
 
Wish I could wait for 13 before I sell.  KLX drew the short straw so now she has to go.  
1974 Z1A
2002 ZRX1200R
2021 Tenere 700
1980 KZ550
2012 KLX351S
2021 Beta XTrainer
2022 Beta 390RR RE
The following user(s) said Thank You: Kelly E

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Hello from Idaho 03 Mar 2023 07:03 #881030

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Awesome…I would cruise the way it is.
That's the plan!
1974 Z1A
2002 ZRX1200R
2021 Tenere 700
1980 KZ550
2012 KLX351S
2021 Beta XTrainer
2022 Beta 390RR RE

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Hello from Idaho 03 Mar 2023 07:03 #881032

  • Idarex
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Pocatello
1974 Z1A
2002 ZRX1200R
2021 Tenere 700
1980 KZ550
2012 KLX351S
2021 Beta XTrainer
2022 Beta 390RR RE

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