After several months browsing the internet looking for a bike to restore, a motorcycle that met my three requirements : (1) a Kawasaki Z1 900 or a KZ 1000, (2) not far from my location, and (3) at a reasonable price, finally this 1978 Kawasaki KZ 1000 popped up for sale, only 5 miles from my house.

Saw the ad on a Friday night .... finally spoke with the guy on the phone the following day. We made arrangements to see the bike, and the following day I rented a U-Haul truck and collected the bike. It was that simple.

For a 41 year old motorcycle, the bike seems to be in excellent shape, only 26,000 miles. That means that this winter, on my free time I would be very busy restoring this classic motorcycle. It was a long time ago I owned one of these bikes, it should be fun to restore. I wouldn't make the mistake of selling it, this time I plan to keep this one.

I ordered several parts to start the restoration process. I am glad there are sites like Z1 Enterprises dedicated to offer OEM vintage Japanese motorcycle parts and links for other services.

I know what direction I want to go in with this bike. It's just a matter on focusing and concentrating on cost effective changes. One thing at a time. It could get expensive pretty quick if I spend money on parts, and later on change my mind. I want my bike aesthetics to look somewhat similar to a 1974 Kawasaki Z1 900.

I was planning to wait until winter to start working on it, but I've been bitten by the restoration bug. If all goes well, maybe I could get the bike ready before next riding season. Can't wait to see it finished.

* Last updated by: KoflaOlivieri on 8/17/2019 @ 9:42 PM *

Began as a LTD. Ended with Cha-Ching.
https://oi149.photobucket.com/albums/s58/wazfst1tyme/LTD%20Z1_zps2jdeww60.jpg?t=1564294896

Handed parts and said to put it together... still in progress.
https://oi149.photobucket.com/albums/s58/wazfst1tyme/chop%206_zpsxj3q9xna.jpg?t=1564295179

* Last updated by: Hub on 7/29/2019 @ 12:40 AM *

Began as a LTD. Ended with Cha-Ching.
https://oi149.photobucket.com/albums/s58/wazfst1tyme/LTD%20Z1_zps2jdeww60.jpg?t=1564294896

Handed parts and said to put it together... still in progress.
https://oi149.photobucket.com/albums/s58/wazfst1tyme/chop%206_zpsxj3q9xna.jpg?t=1564295179

Links are not opening in my browser.

Bumpy , you need to see a doctor. You are sick.

Mad

Kofla, that's a really nice deal. Thanks for sharing.

* Last updated by: Torques on 8/1/2019 @ 2:07 PM *

Kofla, that's a really nice deal. Thanks for sharing.

It is a great deal, specially when most of the ones available are usually several states too far from me. This one was only 5 miles from my house. Nice to hear from you, hope everything is well.

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I am at a crossroads, undecided on retouching, painting the whole frame or have frame powder coated. I am more leaning towards retouching the whole frame, with the expectation to have the bike ready before next vintage motorcycle event April 2020.

In other news, it was a matter of sheer luck or planetary alignment was in the works for me. Last week, I found a Kerker 4-1 exhaust system in excellent shape and reasonably priced advertised in a Facebook vintage group. It's been shipped from the United Kingdom and should be here by the end of next week. Nowadays, these Kerker exhaust systems cost an arm and a leg. I found a real bargain.

So far, it's been a real fun project tinkering with this iconic bike.

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The Kerker exhaust system arrived from the United Kingdom in less than a week, it is in excellent condition. And I found an original brand new seat on Ebay this week.

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Good job on finding the bike and parts. A friend of mine has one just like this. He bought it new and it still looks like new.

Good job on finding the bike and parts. A friend of mine has one just like this. He bought it new and it still looks like new.

Thanks. Working in this project has been great therapy for me. If things go well, it should be ready for next vintage local event April of 2020.

The only complaint I have is that I have neglected my ZX14 lately, and see myself spending more time working at the garage and searching for parts for this bike. Hopefully this will change after I spend the next two weeks riding all over the place, and riding to Canada for my vacation.

I currently have my riding partner's 1976 KZ 900 in the garage. Hasn't run in years. Rock-hard tires,front brake needs overhaul, fuel tank dented and in primer (also munged up, but hopefully the carb bowls are clean).

The wiring harness was hacked to accommodate a 6-pin connector for a Vetter Windjammer, which has been removed. Also jettisoned were a garish chrome sissybar/tail rack combo and bulbous plastic saddlebags. Installed new battery. Changed oil and filter. Wiring harness repaired and all electrical components functioning.

Pulled the top cover and all valve clearances were within spec (16,XXX original miles) Next step (brake overhaul notwithstanding) is to rig a temp tank to see if the carbs hold fuel and if they do, I'll put in some fresh plugs and see if it will fire. If they leak or do not function well otherwise, I'll pull them off and rebuild on the bench. It has a Muzzy 4-into-1 and seems to be a bit cleaner and less rusty than yours due to being stored inside for it's entire life.

Right now we're mulling paint colors. Original is Diamond Brown, only available from a UK supplier. Waiting on a new headlight ring to complete that re-assembly. Found signals/stalks and a headlight shell at Barber Vintage Swap meet last year.