1974 z1 head porting and frame welding

I've had my 1974 kawasaki z1 apart for over a year.

I just finished rebuilding it.
I did a heat cycle the other night, and went for the first real test ride tonight... and I couldn't be happier.
I was super nervous to do the first real ride. I did about 10 miles.
It needs some very minor carb jetting adjustments, but it's running great!

Here's a list of what has been done to the bike to date:
- weisco 1015 kit
- full APE valvetrain
- camellia tsubaki cam chain
- Larry C street ported head
- Kenny Harmon L1 cams (same as webcam 110)
- dynoman cam gears
- keihin CRS 29 smoothbore carbs
- UNI pod filters
- Kerker with performance baffle
- Lockhart oil cooler
- dyna S
- Progressive front and rear suspension
- laced up brand new wheels
- all new electrics
- frame was welded and braced like how AC Sanctuary does it
- trimmed up center stand since it sticks out crazy far when running 4-1

Seriously couldn't be happier that it seems to be running awesome.
- no leaks
- no weird noises
- hauls ass

Thanks to the guys on this site who i've learned from, and thanks Larry for porting the head.

looks good.
Steve

Very nice ...looks great

Beautiful. A work of art.

Thanks for posting all the photos and thanks for sharing! Sweet bike.

Nice job! Did you ride it when it was stock?

@Kidkawie

Yes, I bought the bike from one of my parents neighbors for $650 (with title) about 4 years ago.
It had a crappy brand 4-1 exhaust, but other than that, it was all stock 1974 z1 900, but with 1975 tank / tail colors.

I rode it for a year with the motor all stock.
Then I did the weisco 1015 kit, and rode it like that for a year.
Then I did webcam 118 cams and keihin crs 29 carbs and rode it for a year like that.

Then I realized my frame had a crack in it, so I tore the entire thing down, and had the frame fixed / welded, cylinder head ported, another set of cams, and a bunch of other shit ...

So, yes, I've gotten to experience the motor in a few different forms.
It's a fun bike. I love it.

The bracket under the steering head is known to crack. I welded a couple gussets there and some on the back bones. I plan on doing more as well. The swing arm is weak also. It can get pretty hairy at 100+.
Steve

Beautiful machine!
Thanks for sharing

emy111 wrote: @Kidkawie

Yes, I bought the bike from one of my parents neighbors for $650 (with title) about 4 years ago.
It had a crappy brand 4-1 exhaust, but other than that, it was all stock 1974 z1 900, but with 1975 tank / tail colors.

I rode it for a year with the motor all stock.
Then I did the weisco 1015 kit, and rode it like that for a year.
Then I did webcam 118 cams and keihin crs 29 carbs and rode it for a year like that.

Then I realized my frame had a crack in it, so I tore the entire thing down, and had the frame fixed / welded, cylinder head ported, another set of cams, and a bunch of other shit ...

So, yes, I've gotten to experience the motor in a few different forms.
It's a fun bike. I love it.

I'm sure it's night and day, but what do you think about the frame bracing and suspension mods? For the forks, did you just respring it or do emulators?

I'm running stock forks on my Z1B with modified ZRX shocks. I'll probably do the emulators (been saying it for years now) this spring. Only doing minor bolt-on mods. My Dad bought it new in '75.

wow. very nice, tasteful mods. the only thing that bugs me is it looks like you dropped down to an 18" front and the fender sits a little high. But if it doesn't bother you than it doesn't matter. Nice bike!

Regarding the front forks, I only did Progressive springs and fork seals.
It's pretty tight and stiff.
I'm not going to bother doing the emulators. Now on my enduros... I'm def gonna do emulators...