Getting close

I thought you guys may be interested in my last two projects. It's been a long haul for both. Im about 5 months behind, took forever for the machine work to be done. Hope to have the Z1 started this week then the CB550. Just off to the right (you can see the handlebars) is another Z1 I will be doing this fall.

cra-z1 said:

I thought you guys may be interested in my last two projects. It's been a long haul for both. Im about 5 months behind, took forever for the machine work to be done. Hope to have the Z1 started this week then the CB550. Just off to the right (you can see the handlebars) is another Z1 I will be doing this fall. View attachment 197371

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Your restorations really set the standard. You missed your calling, you should’ve worked at the Barber museum! How many have you done now?

Ah, the almighty z1…. My first street bike. It’s what I cut my teeth on customizing bikes to my liking. And because a 900cc monster wasn’t enough at 19, that Wiseco 1075 kit really made life interesting. Such cool bikes.

6 Z1900's (Thats not including the few I did in the late 70's),CB550, XS2, RD350,RS100, this winter another Z1 and maybe the XJ550. Almost forgot the 2002 GSXR1000 that had a spun rod bearing and sat for 10 years in three plastic bins. The owner trashed it in less than 4,000 miles. New crank, rods, oil pump, fuel pump, wire harness, new body work, wheels were all bent So new used rear and had the front straightened plus much more. I scraped off 1/2 inch of burnt tire from the rear fender. It was a fun project but I lost a grand when I sold it. Didn't want them to take away my License. That bike was fast.


Yes back in the day we were doing the 836 kit on the CB750 and the 1075 on the Z1. I don't know why people would even want to still do that when all you need to do is buy a modern 900cc bike that will out perform these old bikes even with the big bores.
Here is a 76 KZPolice bike I tore apart in the 80's.

cra-z1, nice bikes you have. I always liked the z900. I remember sitting on one in 1976 and being very surprised my feet touched the ground. I thought the Kawasaki paint finishes in the 70s always looked superior to other bikes and that little duck's bill at the back was such a great finishing touch.

When the engine castings and cooling fins start to look a bit weathered is there a spray on treatment to make them look good again. I know some vapor blast their engines but in cold damp Wales the Aluminium starts to form white powder again quite quickly.

Thank you for any suggestions

@cra-z1 Nice work! Love the CB550F! The quad Cocktail Shakers look great.

Ah, nostalgia just ain't what it used to be. Have owned two Z1B 900s.Had a CB550 too - the later Four-K model. Agree with Paul it's hard to keep the engine cases shiny. I used to try and prevent them getting too bad with white powdery residue - frequent Solvol Autosol. But at least they were made of good alloy and plenty of it so you felt it was worth the effort.

The sound of a well-sorted Z1 even just grumbling at tick-over still makes the hairs on the back of me neck tingle. Even this one with a ratty 4:1

Thanks everyone! I have my own system to refresh cases using SS media. I have also had some Vapor Blasted. Fortunately I live in a dry climate so don't have to worry about the damp attacking my cases. However when I was stationed in SanDiego my 74 Z1 sat right next to the docks and the salt mist caused problems. Was constantly wiping the salty mist off it.

I keep wax on my engine case covers. It seems to do the job.