My \"cafe\"ish 74 Z1

Just got done doing alot of work this summer on my 74 Z1. I rebuilt the motor thanks to a broken chain guide. Also added a dyna ignition, coils, and wires. New V&H pipe to replace the aging Kerker that was on it.
Then added a cafe bar and grips, low profile signals, lowered the front end about and inch (rear was already lowered 2") and finally painted the wheels low gloss black...there is more that I can't even remember right now im sure. But she is running great now and gets a lot of comments whenever I take her out for a spin, which has been quite a lot now.
I am trying to figure out my next step...nitrous maybe just for giggles?
My dad orignally bought the bike when it was 2 years old and put the kerker pipe and pods on it. He also had the "custom" paint scheme done on it. He asked for it to be red with flames and thats how it came back...the tear drop flames weren't quite what he had in mind, but he kept it that way anyways and since its how i have always known the bike I couldn't bring myself to get rid of them when I got it from him a few years ago, I resprayed the red, but kept the "flames" intact.

wow thats f*cking handsome, man! please god, dont put nitrous on it though, the next thing we'll hear is how you crashed it into the back of a truck and now youre looking for another one. i really love the black wheels and the orange body bits. they contrast nicely. but how are you supposed to give girls rides on that back?? im just sayin...

This is a 'Han Solo' ride...no need for stinking passengers! :laugh:

Nice ride, man. Neat history, too!

Thanks for the compliments guys. I have the stock seat and another 2 person seat for when my fiance wants to go for a ride (very rare though, she worries enough just me riding it alone).
Since this is the "project" page...here is a photo of how I got it a few years ago for comparison.....



Post edited by: bLodi, at: 2007/09/04 20:00

Post edited by: bLodi, at: 2007/09/04 20:01

Thats really nice. How are your wrists after riding with the cafe bars? I have drag bars on my 650 and after using the clutch a few times I get cramps...If they are comfortable, I may have to try them...

I'll bet it's loud too!!!

My wrist hurt a little the first time I rode it, but now..no complaints, I just scoot up a little on the seat and the ride is pretty comfortable. Its amazing how much more control I feel I have of the bike with the cafe bars. I have a lot more confidence in corners. I had a straight bar on it previously and it just never felt very controlled.
It is really loud with the baffle out. I ususally keep it in, but somtimes if I am taking it to a show or something or sometimes just for the heck of it i'll pull it out....my right ear about goes deaf after a while.

Post edited by: bLodi, at: 2007/09/05 08:31

I have always been a strong believer in painted spoked wheels...looks good

That looks awsome mate, where or who made the seat? is it a one off?
i'm cafeing my Z500 and would love a similar looking seat on my bike,


Ian

Iandz500 .. it's a Corbin Gunfighter seat.

dude .. thanks for posting that pic .. i just ordered a Corbin Gunfighter seat myself and that made me happy to see how cool it looked on your bike. I was almost suffering some buyers remorse for the $350 seat until I just saw that!!

you beat me to it...here is a link....
corbin.com/kawasaki/73kz.shtml

Its a good looking seat, my only complaint is that the seating surface seems a bit flat to me. Let me know if yours seems that way too. But overall I am really happy with it, nice quality and looks just right on the bike.

you beat me to it...here is a link....
corbin.com/kawasaki/73kz.shtml

Its a good looking seat, my only complaint is that the seating surface seems a bit flat to me. Let me know if yours seems that way too. But overall I am really happy with it, nice quality and looks just right on the bike.

you have a very nice looking bike there!!!!