My dad and I just picked up a new project. Its a mostly complete/original '74 Kawasaki Z1 that we bought off of the orignal owner. Most likely going to clean it up and see about getting it running and then pass it along to someone else.

Wow, pretty cool. Please post your progress with pics on this thread ya started. I've had a 77, 78, and 79 Kaw' thou's ... but never a 900. I think many of us would really appreciate it. Watching these classics return to their former glory, from years of neglect, are my favorite types of thread. Thanks for posting, cheers !!!

G'day westie, Z900s are probably THE classic bike in Oz. Especially Z900, Z1A and Z1B. and Very very sought after. I had a couple over the years
and did seriously consider one before I bought my current Norton. However, $$$ killed the idea quickly.
A very clean, original one owner, was for sale here in Adelaide 3 years ago at $20,000.00, the Kwaka dealer where it was for sale, and I spoke to
the guy who sold the bike new, said, they'd be the first bike of the modern era,to bring $50,000.00 here in Oz and I believe him now.
I see them advertised now for $25,000.00. on a regular basis. I should have bought it.
You might want to restore that one.
AC.

Even rough, those are worth decent money. They don't make them any more, I'm told...

After talking with Dad, we are just going to clean it up and pass it on. The motor is free, but we just aren't feeling like diving into a project right now trying to get it running. We had someone offer us 2K sight unseen, so it may find a new home with him. I will through up some cleaned up pictures later on today, the paint looks real nice yet.

AussieCombat wrote:
A very clean, original one owner, was for sale here in Adelaide 3 years ago at $20,000.00, the Kwaka dealer where it was for sale, and I spoke to
the guy who sold the bike new, said, they'd be the first bike of the modern era,to bring $50,000.00 here in Oz .

It would want to be absolutely perfect for that price. !
The oil will have run out before they ever climb that high though... ?
(A lot have gone back to Japan - they couldn't buy them then, don't forget, 750cc limit).

They appear quite regularly on Oz evilbay with biggish asking prices, but if you watch, unless perfect, they don't sell.
Or eventually go for way less than the original asking price.
Much cheaper to buy out of the USA, lotsa Oz prices are just silly.

P.S. A perfect set of 4 brand new pipes is half the resto cost ??

I'm ignorant, is that a 2 stroke?

Dave

it's a 4 stroke Dave, not a 2 stroke, and that would send your teeth down your throat right after your tongue with acceleration.
They were tremendously fast in a straight line.
That one has the wrong handle bars.
It was the first bike I ever saw that really really needed the seat cut to keep your ass in place instead of flapping like a flag.
I wanted one BAD. I'm still alive so guess what happened.

I rode a customer's old '75 Z1 and it was pretty nice, I liked my Commando better The old 2 stroke Kaw's were the H2 750 triples.

This one came up this morning





Good investment?

Needs spoked wheels

Webby