1973 Z1 rebuild

You did a great job on the black paint in the DOHC sections.  How did you paint them?

wrote:

You did a great job on the black paint in the DOHC sections.  How did you paint them?

 

well I have to admit I didnt paint them, they are actually the original dynamo and ignition covers !
I took them off years ago and put chromed aftermarket covers on the engine, and by some incredible fluke I actually wrapped the original covers up and packed them into a box with other bits and pieces.  More good luck than good management really !
The covers had some scratches from the bike being dropped, so I started with 80 grit paper to get the scratches out and worked up to 1200, being careful not to hit the black DOHC's .

The bike looks great!  Thanks for taking the time to share your project and post up lots of photos!

For what it's worth, when it comes to polishing engine cases, I've found that using a DA sander with 220 grit sandpaper does pretty good to remove deep corrosion pitting.  For the nooks and crannies, a dremel with stainless steel brushes works well.  Next, a coarse sisal wheel with black cutting compound is used on a buffing motor.  I use a car polisher motor.  Use heavy gloves because the case will get HOT.  The combo of sisal w/black compound will shine up the case very nicely, but the finish will be very close to OEM, not mirror bright.  For that, you need to move to a fluffy wheel with fine grit polish of some sort.  I came up with this method because I'm lazy.  Polishing by hand is way too much work for me.  The method highlighted will allow you to clean up a full set of cases in just a few hours of work.

Both you guys do awesome work !!!!!
I like easy  and fast  too. No patience anymore

this is how I feel while polishing alloy

 

blackozvet post=871366if they had alloy polishing at the current Commonwealth Games I think I would be in contention for a gold medal ! 

The engine covers are done - now I can take them all back off and get on with putting things together.

 

Those covers look great!  Good job of matching the OEM finish.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

wrote:

wrote:

You did a great job on the black paint in the DOHC sections.  How did you paint them?


 

well I have to admit I didnt paint them, they are actually the original dynamo and ignition covers !
I took them off years ago and put chromed aftermarket covers on the engine, and by some incredible fluke I actually wrapped the original covers up and packed them into a box with other bits and pieces.  More good luck than good management really !
The covers had some scratches from the bike being dropped, so I started with 80 grit paper to get the scratches out and worked up to 1200, being careful not to hit the black DOHC's .

No wonder they look like originals!!

Back in the day I had a Z1B that I eventually sold when I started a family.  But for some reason I kept the tools.  Fast forward 40 years and I bought another Z1B, without a tool set.  Now it has one!

The wheels are back,  having been re-spoked with stainless spokes, and fittingly the old battlax gets some Bridgestone Battlax tyres (BT46)

 

a slideshow video recap

(260) Kawasaki 1973 Z1 900 rebuild - Part 1 - YouTube

That bike's going to look terrific.

Found a new key ring tag !  

 

Is that rear rim a Takasago?  The key flag may have come from a KLR.  I had one with mine.