The Friendship Bike - NobleHops restores a 75 Z1

Nice bikes and love the look of those vapor blasted parts - almost makes me want to take mine apart just to do that .

One question, on your cases, where the long bolt is, that goes from one side to the other at the front of the frame, the top lip looks rather ragged, is that normal, I noticed that on mine and started thinking it had been damaged some how or is that just how they were cast?

That's part of the casting. They ground it smooth on the early ones but started cutting corners on the later ones.
Steve

Thanks good to know, my two 650 motors and my 750 crank cases I have lying about are not cast like that, I was thinking the worst, that it had got damaged I was going to tidy mine up when I get to polishing the cases - feel much better to know it's "stock".

I will continue to watch this build, I love to see these documented and photographed threads.

Wee little update:

The heads and cylinders are being worked on - the good news is the pistons and rings fit the cylinders just fine, and so with a hone those are good to go. Valves and guides were at the edge of the service limit, and the seats were pitted, so those are being replaced and the seats ground, seals replaced. The head should be better than new.

Big shift fork is in hand, two smaller shift forks are inbound, along with some rubber bits for the cam chain rollers and guide.

Should have that stuff back mid next week and then I can start the reassembly of the engine, but in between I will get to the inspection of the transmission gears and the oil pump. Now if you'll excuse me I am off to see about an engine seal set, if there is such a thing.

N.

Awesome to see someone sharing their build progress and actually 'caring' that it's done right. Good job NH. I have a big block (1327cc) engine build starting hopefully this coming Spring if funds go well.

Thanks Rock, much appreciated.

I need to get a chain and sprocket set, thinking I ought to take advantage of the opportunity to swap to a 530 chain while I'm at it. I've had good luck with DID chain and sprocket sets from eBay, but I will check the good guy vendors now too.

What's there to know about the conversion on the Z1? Popular swap? Do I need to shim the thinner sprocket up front?

And who's got a thought about the best gearing for a 1075cc Z1? Stick with stock? Something taller?

TIA for your thoughts.

Answering my own questions on Z1Enterprises site for the moment.

www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?i...ket&item=BAJTF513-18
Looks like a couple of spacers are needed at least up front...

redhawk4 wrote: Nice bikes and love the look of those vapor blasted parts - almost makes me want to take mine apart just to do that .

One question, on your cases, where the long bolt is, that goes from one side to the other at the front of the frame, the top lip looks rather ragged, is that normal, I noticed that on mine and started thinking it had been damaged some how or is that just how they were cast?

Yup I noticed the same thing on mine, thought the same as you. Bought another Z1 last week and as Steve says, it also had the raggedy edge. I may grind it smooth, contemplating that.

Sorry I've never went to 530 setups or had any friends that did. As far as gearing, it's a matter what type of riding you will do and of course personal preference. Highway riding I go taller. Just a preference for me. Good question tho'. Good luck.

My '76 LTD has the same jagged edge. Guess I've never pondered that one before.

Are spacers necessary if both sprockets line up right?

Looking at doing the same on my KZ1000A2. I spoke to ZI Ent. and they recommended ordering 2 of the thin spacer. one should work, but they said get 2 to be safe. I think their are/were some sprockets with the correct collar available, I don't know why they are no longer in stock. The thing that's holding me up at the moment is I want a plated rear sprocket and I can only find ones in a natural finish. I can find a 630 kit with DID chain and plated sprockets, so still on the fence for a couple of days. What ratio are you going with?, I think I'm going with 18/40t if I go 530 (110 link chain) that will be the equivalent of 15/35, that's my current gearing which seems a little" buzzy" at speed and I'm constantly searching for a non-existent 6th gear, but , I'm hoping with the 18" rear, I almost have ready to fit, that will raise my gearing to the right level. Looking at the tire diameters 15/33 with a 16" rear is exactly the same as 15/35 with an 18" rear.. I think 15/33 equivalent with an 18" rear might be too much.