1973 Kawasaki Other on 2040-motos

Up for auction is my 1973 Kawasaki  900 Z1.  I bought the bike from a collector in 2010.  It was a very nice restoration that I’ve significantly improved.  It is a matching Frame/Engine VIN Z1F14625/Z1E14758.  The following are the details of the collectors’ restoration.  I have included my work at the end. 

The bike was purchased from the original owner, a 56 year old woman, with 31K miles. The bike was completely dismantled including the engine. The following work was completed:

Rear Fender Assembly: All original. Fender re-chromed, base taillight assembly powder-coated (black), hardware re-zinced, dampers ultra-sonic cleaned, original taillight plastic and trim.

Rear Wheel Assembly: New reproduction DID rim, new spokes, wheel drum polished, with new Avon tire. All wheel and swing-arm hardware was ultra-sonic cleaned and or re-zinced or re-chromed., including brake rod assembly and stabilizer bar. The swing-arm was powder-coated and new bearings installed. Both the swing-arm and stabilizer bar are original and have the correct KHI serial number for a 1973 model. Rear shocks are original Kawasaki Zl, ultra-sonic cleaned. The bike also has a new sprockets, lock tabs, and chain

Footrest Assemblies: Rear assembly bracket was re-zinced, peg rubbers replaced, original chrome pegs (73 only) re-chromed. Front brackets were powder-coated, peg rubbers are very nice, but slightly used. Hardware securing brackets to frame were re­-zinced and nuts replaced.

Stands: Side stand a center stand were powder-coated, all hardware, nuts, bolts, springs, etc were re-zinced.

Electrical System: Wiring harness is completely original, in very good condition. All electrical functions are in working order.  The signal lights (front/back) are replacements of the originals purchased from Zl enterprises. The central wiring plate was removed and powder-coated and all connections cleaned. The bike has a near new battery and spark plugs. Wiring has been routed and frame strapped using my original bike as a pattern. The stoplight plate was powder-coated and all hardware re-zinced. 

Body Work: All original tank, side-covers/badges, and tail piece. The paint is near perfect. The tank has one wear spot at the bottom rear tip where tank meets the seat. Unless you know it is there it will not be noticed. Seat is an original (black foam) 73 only seat. The foam removed, pan powder-coated, foam reinstalled and covered with replacement cover from Z-power UK. Strap was added, to restore as Euro version of the 73 seat. The original tail piece insert with wiring diagram, and owners manual is included. The black inner rear fender has been re-conditioned.

My Work:  This bike was very nice when I took possession in the spring of 2010.  Lots of attention to detail and cosmetically it was an excellent example.  But it was clear to me immediately, having owned a new 1975 Z1that the engine, despite all of the reported work, was not up to my satisfaction.  Compression test showed fair amount of loss in two cylinders, but it faired better in a leak down test. I pulled the top end and sent it to Jordan Engineering in Oceanside, California to be professionally rebuilt.  The stock piston and rings had too much gap from wear and from the cylinders being honed previously.  So Jordan bored and honed the cylinders to accommodate 0.5mm over OEM pistons.  The valves, guides were in better shape and were polished and lapped.  Valve seals were replaced.  In case you don’t know Curt Jordan, I can’t recommend his work highly enough.  He does exceptional work and of the finest quality you’ll find anywhere.    

I then completely reconditioned and rebuilt the carburetors using an ultrasonic cleaner. I replaced all of the jets, needles and gaskets.  After painstakingly synchronizing the carburetors and tuning the bike, it starts and runs perfectly.  As good as new and better than I remember!  I just finished doing the 600 mile service, setting the valves, adjusting the timing and synchronizing the carburetors.  It has less than 700 miles on it and is ready to roll.       

I replaced both fork seals and also replaced the idiot light panel with a new OEM one.  I removed the tank and body work and replaced them all with a replica set.  So this bike includes an entire duplicate set of body work.  Since the stock tanks are so valuable and this is such a nice tank, I figured it best to store them away and use the replica body work for riding and showing.  The replica body work really makes the bike look brand new.    

In summary, this is a carefully and completely restored Z1.  It can be used for shows or as a weekend rider.  The beauty of this classic motorcycle, is it can be fabulous garage art, or it can be functional art.  You can have the nicest, rarest, most expensive bottle of wine in the world and all you can do is drink it.  Same goes for motorcycles.  You can look at them, but I prefer to ride them.  This bike is a first rate piece of art work for your garage, displayed at shows but most importantly, ridden like the iconic machine it is.

Also included; Shop Manual, Parts Manual, Tool Kit, Owners Manual, All Stock Body work and a few miscellaneous extras.  Shipping can be arranged.   

Good luck bidding.  Don’t figure I need to repeat the expectations and etiquette of the Ebay process.  Please call me with any questions:  970-618-0681  Thanks, Bud