Very slow project coming to an end finally - Z1000 A2

xsgraham

xsgraham

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Hi All - been lurking in the Guzzi part of the "other bikes" area for a while as I know a few folks down there. As well as Guzzi's I have been rebuilding an old '78 Z1000 A2 from a scruffy rough runner to something a bit more presentable. Didn't mean to do a full job on it but it sort of snowballed to where I stripped the engine, vapour blasted the cases, built it up with new bits where needed - powder coated the frame and other stuff..... you probably get the picture.

I thought that whilst I was over here chatting about Guzzis I'd drop you Kawasaki guys a picture of where I've ended up. Runs really nicely, although I have a couple of bits to tinker with still which gives me a bit of shed therapy for a bit longer :). Pic taken in the dining room which was my workshop over the winter.... I love my wife !!

Zed finished inside.jpg
 
One of the best bikes I've ever had the pleasure of owning and that's a credit to you Graham, cherished!
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xsgraham said:
Hi All - been lurking in the Guzzi part of the "other bikes" area for a while as I know a few folks down there. As well as Guzzi's I have been rebuilding an old '78 Z1000 A2 from a scruffy rough runner to something a bit more presentable. Didn't mean to do a full job on it but it sort of snowballed to where I stripped the engine, vapour blasted the cases, built it up with new bits where needed - powder coated the frame and other stuff..... you probably get the picture.

I thought that whilst I was over here chatting about Guzzis I'd drop you Kawasaki guys a picture of where I've ended up. Runs really nicely, although I have a couple of bits to tinker with still which gives me a bit of shed therapy for a bit longer :). Pic taken in the dining room which was my workshop over the winter.... I love my wife !!

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Very nice; put some more pics up;; i'am trying to remember the film where a guy escapes on the back of one of those in that colour; it had a pipe on it and was quite roarty.
 
From an era where the Japanese were making Swiss watch engines that were bulletproof. Cue the Suzuki GS1000 engine the guys at Santa Pod were bolting on blowers and methanol AND the engines took it!

My 1977 Kawasaki 250 had some of the best chrome / paint / engine finish on, for a bike now 40 plus years old it a credit to the build quality
 
I’d agree about the engines, but the chrome and paintwork? The chrome on my new 1976 Z400 rubbed through to the base metal in a few weeks by a plastic sheet I used to keep the rain off- I know, I know, it was 1976 and it didn’t rain at all. Also, the frame paint flaked off and the dealer stove enamelled it under warranty. The ‘77 Z650 that followed was a different animal altogether, very much better quality.
 
snelly said:
Very nice; put some more pics up;; i'am trying to remember the film where a guy escapes on the back of one of those in that colour; it had a pipe on it and was quite roarty.
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Now you mention it Snelly there was a film.... roaring around Paris wasn't it... or has my memory failed me (again?! :) ).

Not that many more finished pics to be honest, I've taken up the road to Box Hill for an inaugural ride which was about 40miles there and back from my place. No chances for a ride out to a picturesque spot to take arty snaps :DD

Rear brake line was leaking a little so I ended up changing it to a Venhill to match the front. Only just getting around to putting that on and that reminded me that the brake return spring wasn't bringing the pedal back up .... probably due to me rushing the job of taking the powder coating from the lever spindle on the frame which the coater had missed during mask-up. Soooo nearly there, but not many road miles and I've been a bit distracted hooning around Spain on my Guzzi Le Mans which needed a little prep beforehand.

So - more pics you say. well I can furnish some 'before', 'during' and after ... including one from a discerning gent who posted a pic of a bike he liked on the Ars*Book Boxhill group and yes the tank emblems on now (y)

Zed starting point.jpgZed start-engine.jpgZed Strip.jpgZed on stand.jpgZed finished.jpgZed Box.jpg
 
Very nice xsgraham; i had a Z1B many years ago and they just don't go away do they;; i think that film unvolveda prison bust or summat like that;; anyway they got away; not suprising on a Z1000 :D :beerjug:
 
snelly said:
Very nice xsgraham; i had a Z1B many years ago and they just don't go away do they;; i think that film unvolveda prison bust or summat like that;; anyway they got away; not suprising on a Z1000 :D :beerjug:
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My memory is of a prisoner jumping from a pretty high window in central Paris and being whisked away by a blacked out rider on a Z1000. Such a great clip, I hope someone remembers the name of the film.
 
If anyone fancies to recreate it, I've got the bike..... you just have to jump out the window :DD
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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