Restoration (and Custom) Work

Updated May 2020

Welcome to my motorcycle restoration, rebuild and custom projects page. Back 2015, Motorbooks published my first major work, my classic Japanese restoration book, but not content with that I started on Book 2 which features building customs, so its time to focus soley on custom work.

My current projects are:

1. Finalise the missing parts for my z1a.
2. Strip and re-assemble my z1a engine.
3. Install it into the rolling frame.
4. Save up for the z1a Paint Job.
5. Save up for the 4 into 4 exhaust.
6. Refresh my 1977 z650;
7. Keep Fabricating the parts for my z650 Cafe Racer.
8. Complete the repairs to my 1982 GPz1100B2 after my Tassie trip.

The z650 Cafe Racer is 100% fabrication. When I first bought it as a neglected barn find out west, It featured in my book as a sample of how bad you can neglect and butcher a z650. Well its been stripped, and numerous parts are now coming together. You can read more on it here -> 1977 z650 B1 CR build.

If your chasing information on my book then visit the page dedicated to it.

Project List

The current list of restoration/rebuild and custom projects is as follows:

• 1974 Kawaskai z1a Restoration project.
• 1976 Kawasaki z900-A4 (Registered) Fork and Clutch cover repairs.
• 1978 z1000A2 – Rebuild/Restore/Customize Projecte
• 1977 Kawasaki z650-B1 – Completed but still some tidy up work.
• 1982 GPz1100-B1 – Scheduled to start in late 2020
• 1982 GPz1100-B2 – (Registered) In need of a new tank.
• 1984 GPz900R (ZX900-A1) – Completed (Scheduled for freshen up in 2018)
• 1985 GPz900R (ZX900-A2) – Rolling frame cleaned up, engine on hold (valves in head, need gaskets and time 🙂
• 1977 z650 Custom rebuild project – Registered and 99% completed.
• 1977 z650 Cafe Racer – Being used as feature in my next book! Currently sourcing and fabricating custom parts.
• 1980 z650F1 – In storage
• SR650 – In Storage
• 1985 GPz900R x2 – In storage
• 1983 GPz1100A1 – x2 In Storage
• 1972 CB750 Honda – In Storage
• 1974 CB750 Honda Cafe Racer – started 2004 – In storage – review later in 2019
• 1980 z1000g – In storage – z1 classic

Restarted Projects

I have been slowly rebuilding two bikes a 1974 Kawasaki z1A and a 1978 Kawasaki z1000-A2. Both live in the lounge room partially due to the garage being full and because the house is significantly cleaner. They also make a good conversation starter when friends come to visit.

Status Updates – z1000

I used my 1974 z1A and 1978 z1000A2 extensively for photo shoots for my book so the rolling frame was stripped and rebuilt numerous times to get different angles and effects for my first book. I have ordered numerous small parts recently including a new wiring harness, bolts and a Stainless Steel spoke kit, checkout my article on lacing up the rear wheel. I’ve also finally sourced a pair of rear caliper pistons and rebuild kit so that will see the rear brakes assembled. The z1A is basically a finished rolling frame so I’m currently working on the engine.

The rebuilds have not been a high priority but I intend to have two rolling frames completed and at least the engine for the z1000A2 installed before the end of 2019.

Parts needed for the z1000A2:

• New coils with leads and caps -shiping now (Feb 2018).
• Aftermarket brake lines (2 front and 1 rear).
• Electronic ignition – Dyna ?
• Possibly exhaust flanges (they have disappeared).
• Paint work.
• Clean up 4 into 1 exhaust system
• Battery.
• Tubes & Tyres
• A few odds and ends for the frame.

Tutorials

I have been updating the tutorials on the site, here is a partial list with more to come:

• GPz900R Starter Clutch Replacement Tutorial.
• GPz900R Bearing Information.
• Kawasaki z1000G and H EFI/DFI systems.
• Rear Wheel Lacing – z1000A1 / z1000A2.

Still to do:

Like all hobbies, I have lots more projects to complete, otherwise I might decide to sell some in the near future.

• 1980 Kawasaki z1000G – In storage (Planned to be a z1 clone but with Megasquirt EFI)
• 1980 Kawasaki z650-F1 – In storage – custom build.
• 1972 Honda CB750K2 – In storage – factory restoration.
• 1974 Honda CB750K4 Cafe Racer – Rolling frame in storage engine in garage (#5 engine in list of work to do).
• 1983 ZX1100-A1 – in storage – Custom machine with ELR paint and modern fittings.
• 1985 GPz900 Cafe Racer – still planning how this would work but very “doable”.

Online Clubs and Forums I visit

From time to time I visit these sites, worth a look on your part.

• z650 Stuff http://kz650.info/
• Z1 Owners Club UK http://www.z1ownersclub.co.uk/
• More z650 stuff http://www.jarlef.no/Kawasaki/Series/Z/650/z650.htm
• GPz900R stuff http://www.gpzzone.co.uk/gpzforum/activity.php
• GPz900R Online Shop: http://www.gpzzone.co.uk/
• Australian Site about to be redone http://www.gpz900r.org.au/

Notes on Specialist Work and parts suppliers:

• Alloy Fabrication – niccomengineering.com.au (No longer in business ?)
• Water Blasting – Specialized Blasting Services

Parts Suppliers I use

There are quite a number of parts suppliers, many are ripoff merchants and I wont pay double for a part that I know will come back on the market in due course. The following 3 I have purchased from and been very reasonable with good quality service. There might be other and in due course I will discover them and use them so this list is not definitive.

• Z1enterprises
• Diablo Cycles
• z1parts.net
• http://www.buchananspokes.com/products/spoke_kits_kawasaki_kz.asp

Keep an eye out for my new book “How to Rebuild and Restore Classic Japanese Motorcycles“ –  published by Motorbooks. More information is on https://sidyoung.com/

If you have been searching for my old z900.piczo.com web site, they went bust and all the content on it is now gone.

Updated May 2020
z900collector