In my mind, it seems the way to do it is to disassemble everything, and refurb/refinish pieces as they come off. Finally ending with the frame, with a bunch of refurbed / refinished parts to put back on it after the frame gets blasted and coated (paint or powder).
Have you done this before with a motorcycle (100% tear down and restore). It can take years to finish a project like that, and many many folks never make it to the end before losing interest. It seems like it's already been in your hands for a few years, as you mention.
Personally, I would focus on the basic mechanical function and safety components, and then ride it. If you really love it, go all out. If not, you have a good ready to ride bike that should be easy to sell. If the first thing you do it create a giant mount of parts, it's a ton of time and work to get out of the project. Even parting it out is a ton of work. It's much easier to sell a fully assembled bike.
I've never been hung up looks. I focus on function. As you already have done, I have repainted many rusty battery boxes. And you already started on the carbs.
Assuming you think the engine internals are not damaged, I would do a valve adjustment and call the engine done for now. 19k is low for these engines. My Z1R has 45k miles on it and runs great.
I would focus on the following:
* steering head bearings
* swing arm bearings
* front brake system
* rear brake system
* tires
* carbs
* valve adjustment
* timing check
The only other thing I'd look at is to check the wiring harness for obvious damage or hacking/modifications, just to make sure there aren't any real obvious issues.
When that's done just ride it, warts and all, and see if it's a keeper.
Well, the engine turns over, with the starter or with the kick start lever. I put a compression tester on it and the numbers were lower than expected, but the bike is definitely NOT warmed up and it's been sitting for over 20 years. So not sure if those numbers are really meaningful at all. It was running when he put it away....I bought this from a co-worker / friend, so I can trust the history that I'm getting on it.
Warner
