Need ideas for 1974 Z1 build

[wannabe]

So, after years of begging, my buddy finally agreed to build a bike for me with parts he has laying around in his garage. And, the wonderful coincidence is that it happens to be a bike I've been lusting after for years. A 1974 Kawasaki Z1.

It turns out that he has been putting off building this bike because he doesn't have ALL the stock parts for this bike anymore. I convinced him that I don't want a restoration. I want a hot rod. So, he agreed to use a bored out 1200cc KZ motor that he has laying around. (It used to be in his old drag bike.)

We are now in the process of spec'ing it out. We are trying to figure out colors and components. As of right now, I want him to build me a scrambler similar to this one except with lights and turn signals. Getting someone to make the pipes will probably be the most expensive part of the build.

Anyone else have any cool ideas? I'll post build pics along the way as things progress.

 

[Carlo]

The one in that picture looks great. Why not do a variation on that?

Modern upgrades, hotrod exhaust without destroying the vintage ujm look of the bike.
Whatever you do, don't do a cliche "bobber" or "cafe racer".

Wouldn't hurt to put a front fender on it too.

 

[wannabe]

Yeah, I'm not planning to go too nuts with the mods. I want a bike that I don't really have to worry too much about. I may even ask my buddy to bring down the compression on the motor so that I can run 87 octane.

The only real thing I want to do is add braided brake lines. Other than that, it's going to be mostly stock. The frame has already been gussetted from back in the day when guys used to ride the shit out of these bikes.

 

[firstbuell]

forget the front fender, makes it kinda 'tracker' without total copy of that style

you've a fun build concept - Good Fortune with completing it

 

[EastBayDave]

Oh you just gotta add another brake rotor/gotta have two/looks better not to mention works way better (brake lines too= black.) Your going to have to put signals on it unless you spend ALL your time totally on the track or up in the hills. CHP are sticklers about that...

Not sure I like the pipes; kinda detracts from the bike? Wonder if a standard 4 into one would be mo betta? They do make replica 4-4 pipe sets now too; scrambler pipes went out in the early 70's.....no?

Polish the clutch & points covers. Makes it look almost chrome...much nicer than that uh.....gray? Do the other side of the bike too...

I paint is ok; I'm wondering if a stock paint job would make it more desirable? The old bikes are bringing in big bux these days. Will get more ooohs & aaahhhhs if it's an early Z-bike.....?

Just like they are recommending on the ZRXOA, get a Suzuki 8" "Train Light" to take the place of the number plate. A set of Napoleon mirrors...

Just my quick input.....I know it's away from the "tracker" style, but I've always felt the inline-4's should look a bit more line an inline-4, if you know what I mean?

-ebd

 

[wannabe]

My buddy wants to build it more like this one. It'll definitely be a lot cheaper if we go this direction. But, seeing this pic tells me that the bike really needs the pin striping.

 

[wannabe]

Man, the more I look at it the more I really want the scrambler pipes. I know just the welder to do the job too. He welded the wheelie bar mounts onto the swing arm of my zx12 and did a fantastic job. I think he would easily be able to make these pipes.

 

[Tri750]

May not have a great pic but a very popular upgrade is SV650 front end and swingarm. You get decent brakes, ability to upgrade the internals and use modern tires. The bike will handle much better too.
Just noticed Andrew used AP calipers. Not the choice I would have made. I used early VFR, still 2 piston for the rules but much smaller and lighter.

 

[wannabe]

^^^nice setup, dude. And, thanks for the ideas, but in my head, putting any Suzuki parts on a classic Z1 is somewhat blasphemous. :teeth

 

[Tri750]

But we're ok with scrambler pipes.....

 

[wannabe]

Yup.

 

[firstbuell]

please shorten the tailpiece/seat combo for beauty.....

 

[Carlo]

^^^nice setup, dude. And, thanks for the ideas, but in my head, putting any Suzuki parts on a classic Z1 is somewhat blasphemous. :teeth

Tell that to my Royal Enfield!

Ok, it's a vintage Suzuki front end!

 

[EastBayDave]

And, thanks for the ideas, but in my head, putting any Suzuki parts on a classic Z1 is somewhat blasphemous

I tend to agree, it's just no one makes a 8" headlight shell. The ZRX crew have been using so many of those they are hard to find anywhere. They really enhance the look of the ZRX if you like the "non-faired" look....

It's large size is where it got the "train-light" moniker.

 

[wannabe]

So, I went to the Quail moto event with my buddy yesterday. My buddy's GS1100e that he restored came in 2nd in the Japanese bike class. While there, we discussed this build with a bunch of guys. The one idea that is sticking in my head was a paint scheme recommendation.

I don't know if you guys remember, but in 1975, one of the colors available for the H2 was purple. Just like with the scrambler pipes, the more I think about it, the more I want to go that direction with the paint scheme. I just need to talk to my buddy into it. Right now he flat refuses to build a purple motorcycle. :teeth

 

[Stormdragon]

Paint should be the last decision. Build the bike first. Stand back, decide on paint.

If you have to, let him paint it white, take it home, and send the bodywork out for Real Paint.

A few thoughts:

 

[wannabe]

Thanks for posting the ideas. And, yeah, you're right. I'm getting ahead of myself with the paint discussion.

 

[DrSwade]

Need a Kerker header. I don't think I ever saw one without that header.

 

[fourtogo]

So, after years of begging, my buddy finally agreed to build a bike for me with parts he has laying around in his garage. And, the wonderful coincidence is that it happens to be a bike I've been lusting after for years. A 1974 Kawasaki Z1.

It turns out that he has been putting off building this bike because he doesn't have ALL the stock parts for this bike anymore. I convinced him that I don't want a restoration. I want a hot rod. So, he agreed to use a bored out 1200cc KZ motor that he has laying around. (It used to be in his old drag bike.)

We are now in the process of spec'ing it out. We are trying to figure out colors and components. As of right now, I want him to build me a scrambler similar to this one except with lights and turn signals. Getting someone to make the pipes will probably be the most expensive part of the build.

Anyone else have any cool ideas? I'll post build pics along the way as things progress.

That's what i am going to do on my 92 GSXR1100, but for the pipes. I am going with 4x2 up pipes on one side.

 

[Cobra23]

Ahhhhhh....

Ten years worth of stuff right here:
http://www.kzrider.com/forum/11-pro...ngarm-89-gsxr-front-end?limit=20&limitstart=0