What did you do to your motorcyle today?

[MJ]

Yes you can put knobby tires on, they put them on the Enduro model, but let’s face it, these big SUVs are better suited to logging road type gravel than the more extreme stuff, though lots do it, I got mine as an upright sport tourer, and at that it’s pretty darn killer, the active suspension soaks up our crappy pavement just fine.

[kaw74]

Similar too my Versys, although Glenn and I when I first got it did some extreme riding but it was too much for my age.

Looks nice by the way.

[Z1eh]

I took my Z1A clone up to Boston Bar yesterday. It is a collection of 4 different years of Z1, Z1-R and Kz parts. I put it together last winter using all new bearings, chain, tires and a fresh motor etc. It ran great and pulls strong with the 1000cc cylinder block. It's so nice that the summer weather is here. I was glad to find out the windshield worked well and my "over the seat" saddle  bags worked well also. My only casualty was my brand new after market speedometer. I got it from Z1 Parts. It looks great but it failed miserably. It has been working all spring at lower speeds but at sustained highway speeds it started to fluctuate wildly and was indicating 100mph for a while. I was only doing around 70mph at the time. I have some original gages hanging around the I will send in to have rebuilt.
I know there are very knowledgeable people in this group. I know this because I was informed that my inline fuel filters were installed upside down on my other bike (1973 Z1). "see previous post". I appreciated that. :-) So, I have a couple of questions for the group. One of my coils failed on my 73 Z1. It was an aftermarket "look alike" from Z1 parts. Even though the coil is hidden, I prefer to keep all of its parts looking original. The bike in the picture has Dyna coils. They work great but don't look original. Do any of you know a good original looking coil to use? Also, I'm always on the hunt for good quality gaskets. I have had good luck with genuine Kawasaki gaskets but they are expensive. I have had good luck with Cometic gaskets but they can be a little pricey as well. I used my last valve cover gasket the other day and I want to order a couple more.
Between the two bikes, I have purchased a number of after market items. Some good and some "not so good". I willing to share my experiences if anyone is interested.
Thanks! Greg

[Galactica]

Bite the bullet, use Kawasaki gaskets.

Ya, the aftermarket gauges are crap.

The aftermarket coils look ok and work well. I have some on my kz1000. Ya a look at Diablo Cycle on line. Comparable prices to Z1E. Even though they are located in Ontario, they use US $, but ship Canada Post. No border or customs issues. Very helpful if you need to speak on the phone.

If you’re getting a coil set, get the set complete with plug ends. For the price, you’ll not be disappointed.

 Cheers,
Ross

[hardrockminer]

Z1eh, I've heard Vesrah is the best, but can't say I've used them.  In carbs I like Keyster gaskets. 

My Z1B coils are from Z1 Parts.  My other Z1B has originals.  Doremi also make look alike coils.  They have a US parts depot and they also sell through Webike, Japan.

There are a few of us Zedheads here on BC Classic.  It's always good to share information...there's so much to learn about Zeds, as Scotty unfortunately has learned!

I'm currently busy rebuilding a set of Z1A/Z1B carbs.  Also tracing down some wiring gremlins on my Z1B rider.

[Wheels]

My experience is keep the dyna coils as they are reliable and last forever. As and added bonus you can switch out the wires on them as they are not sealed but plug in.  Mine have never failed me in very many years and they reside under the tank so no one knows you have improved the circuit unless you are in a concours and some Judge gets his nuts up there for a feel.

[Twisted_Twin]

Be sure you don't substitute cheese head screws for fillister head screws or the Kawi wonks will come and find you.

[754]

 Once you chrome your engine covers, them pricks wont talk to  you much anyway.. right John.?
 I love modded bikes .... free reign to express yourself, and change things whenever you feel like it.
 I like the pic of the Zed posted today..

[Steve G.]

I took my Z1A clone up to Boston Bar yesterday. It is a collection of 4 different years of Z1, Z1-R and Kz parts. I put it together last winter using all new bearings, chain, tires and a fresh motor etc. It ran great and pulls strong with the 1000cc cylinder block. It's so nice that the summer weather is here. I was glad to find out the windshield worked well and my "over the seat" saddle  bags worked well also. My only casualty was my brand new after market speedometer. I got it from Z1 Parts. It looks great but it failed miserably. It has been working all spring at lower speeds but at sustained highway speeds it started to fluctuate wildly and was indicating 100mph for a while. I was only doing around 70mph at the time. I have some original gages hanging around the I will send in to have rebuilt.
I know there are very knowledgeable people in this group. I know this because I was informed that my inline fuel filters were installed upside down on my other bike (1973 Z1). "see previous post". I appreciated that. :-) So, I have a couple of questions for the group. One of my coils failed on my 73 Z1. It was an aftermarket "look alike" from Z1 parts. Even though the coil is hidden, I prefer to keep all of its parts looking original. The bike in the picture has Dyna coils. They work great but don't look original. Do any of you know a good original looking coil to use? Also, I'm always on the hunt for good quality gaskets. I have had good luck with genuine Kawasaki gaskets but they are expensive. I have had good luck with Cometic gaskets but they can be a little pricey as well. I used my last valve cover gasket the other day and I want to order a couple more.
Between the two bikes, I have purchased a number of after market items. Some good and some "not so good". I willing to share my experiences if anyone is interested.
Thanks! Greg

   A great looking bike!! I admit I am confused however. You want 'original' looking coils even though they are not visible, yet clearly originality is not a priority with the visual aspects of your bike. When it comes to all of my bikes, especially upgrades on the technical side, ESPECIALLY if it is not easily visible, I always go for the best component for the money. Dyna makes outstanding coils, indeed strong enough to start a forest fire never mind a tiny fuel mixture in a combustion chamber. This brand of component has transformed 2 of my machines in a huge positive manner, better than new actually.
 There is aftermarket, and there is aftermarket. Price should never be a factor. It must be a move up, to make the machine better. If it turns out OEM is the best, stick to that. When it comes to "component" parts, stuff that the bike manufacturer sourced out, like electrics, there have been great improvements over the last 40-45 years that really should be taken advantage of.

[Galactica]

Z1eh, I've heard Vesrah is the best, but can't say I've used them. 

I do like the Vesra valve cover gasket better than Kawasaki. But for the alternator and clutch cover, best to use Kawasaki.

[Wheels]

Once you chrome your engine covers, them pricks wont talk to  you much anyway.. right John.?
 I love modded bikes .... free reign to express yourself, and change things whenever you feel like it.
 I like the pic of the Zed posted today..

Frank one must keep in mind I have had my bike for 40 years and things like the chroming happened way before that bike was collectible and at the time was still going down in value when some of the mods were done.  It is my bike and I like what I have done and it does make it more personal for me.    I have never thought of selling it so really dont care what others think and besides that I am not a purist and all of my bikes have personal touches to them to make them unique to me.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[754]

I really like all your bikes John.
 I will take fun riding and wrenching, over pursuit of correctness any day..

[Z1eh]

Thanks for all the advice and comments! I'm making notes and will following up on them.

Steve G, you were wondering: (I admit I am confused however. You want 'original' looking coils even though they are not visible, yet clearly originality is not a priority with the visual aspects of your bike).
Steve, I question my own logic all the time :-)   My 73 Z1 is completely stock, numbers matching. When I repair it, I try to use original or original looking parts even if they can't be seen. I'm satisfying the part of my brain that is OCD.  LOL.  I ride the 73 regularly so reliability is important. I agree that reliability is more important than originality for sure! I have never had a coil failure before and so I never considered them to be a reliability item. I was wrong obviously!
 
As far as my 74 clone in the picture I posted. I built that bike as my daily rider and plan on putting lots of miles on it. I wanted a Hot Rod. I really like the Z1-R mag wheels, dual front disks and rear disk brakes and motor. Having mag wheels and tubeless tires comes in handy when fixing a roadside flat tire. You can use a plug and portable air supply. The bike has no collector value but I do have Collector plates on it as all the major parts on the bike are genuine Kawasaki and within 2 years of the registered frame (1976). I used Dyna ignition and coils on this bike because I wanted performance and and I'm not concerned about authenticity with this bike. Logic overruled my OCD in this case. :-)

Back to the coil issue. I noticed on my 73 Z1 (with the failed coil) that my battery fluid has to be refilled a little to often. So, I checked to see if my bike was overcharging and it is. Is it possible I fried my coil with too high a voltage? I have ordered a new regulator/rectifier from Z1 Enterprises.

[Z1eh]

If any of you have a bike with a header and you had to remove your centre stand, you know how inconvenient it can be. This solution works good for the Kawasaki's and might work for other bikes as well.
I took a stock centre stand and cut it in half and removed all of the excess material, then I cut the feet off and had them welded to some 5/8" reddy rod.
The little thrust bearing helps make it easier to spin the nut to raise the bike.
It's compact and it installs in minutes. I carry it with me in case of a flat etc.
I hope I'm not exceeding my picture quota. :-)

[hardrockminer]

There is a video on Youtube for Z1 electrics that is quite educational on proper charging.

Today I spent a couple of hours trying to get my Dyna ignition to work.  Everything is installed but for some reason it won't fire.