here is the ZRX swingarm. It looks pretty easy, cut of a little at the pivot and space out the shocks. Pretty straight forward for the arm. Still waiting on 2 others and then I decide. If I don't use the ZRX arm it is going up for sale here.

Thanks............this is my first build. I had a '73 Z1 in highschool ..............wish I still had that bike!!!! BUT this was a close second and remembering how poorly the brakes were on it. So I decided a restomod.............so far so good!!! Yes I intend on twin shocks......ZRX units are planned if I can find some. THanks for the info on the tapered bearing race............wasn't sure if it needed to be seated in the stock.

Just a question for all KZ riders ............being I had a '73 would it be wrong to copy the '73 colour scheme on a '76????

Homer

Hi,

I broke down and started rebuilding my Z1000ST ( in europe it's Z, not KZ) wich I have for 2 years.
In the meantime riding my good old Kawa 750GT.

Firtst project, no experience, but reasonable technical background en been reading a lot about the bike(s)

-full paintjob, engine, frame, tank etc, fork, wheels.
-zrx rear shocks
-dyna coils
-vm 29 smoothbores
-K&N pod filters
-stainless 4-1 header, maybe with crome kerker megaphone
-and other things...

no hurries, will take a while... have other things to do..

Thanks for the review of the Contis. I have a set for my B4 project. I too like the idea of clasic looks and modern suspension. I'm using a set of 41mm cartridge forks, zeypher 750 swingarm, zrx shocks and spoke wheels.

Yes............you read my mind!! I have intentions of putting ZRX1100 rear shocks on this for the "old school dual shock" look and if at anytime a restoration would take place would make it easier to return to stock

I used a 1999 ZRX swingarm and shocks on my 82 GPz750 frame. Took some modification but it worked way better than I hoped. You can make just about any swingarm work if you are determined.

The engine covers originally are not chrome plated. So those were plated or aftermarket. The only chrome piece is the starter cover. Those covers are supposed to be polished aluminum, but NOT mirror polish.

You can find stock carbs for about $200-250 set. You'll need an airbox too. Mine runs ALOT better without those dumb pods, stock airbox and stock jetting.

You can buy aftermarket shocks with reflectors that look OEM. They are not the greatest for riding at high speeds though. For that I swap them out with a modded set from a ZRX. But I easily swap tham back for cruising or shows, etc.

Rear wheel is not stock either and it looks like the brake plate is chrome? That's supposed to be polished.

Here's by restoration thread: kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/375078-75-z1-resto

I cut away the tabs and fabricated the ears/ then tig welded them in place. Perfect fit for my old mulhollands and now the zrx shocks. I can photo it for you and provide more details like final size of the new tabs/etc...
Worked very well and has been rock solid for 5 years ir so. Position kept same height as well.
I have two more in the attic that some winter ill crank out a few more.
Z1ent also sells weld on tabs, but there is a "ridge"along the top that i felt should remain, would make it hard to weld their tabs if u kept it. I would love to hear if anyone has used thise tabs on this swingarm.
K

NakedFun, if you don't care maybe with some help from 531bb I'd like to compose a parts list on this build page of yours for converting a kz into an old school ZRX. I'll wait for your approval to build a build sheet on your page and I'll fine tune this specific thread so one doesn't have to search all over the build for specific parts. And if you don't want me to just say so. I've sure enjoyed watching you build and am gearing up to do the same/similar to this old 78 1000 I picked up.

2001-2005 components

Swingarm 250.00
Set of shocks 200.00-300.00
Offset sprocket 50.00
Forks ???
Triple trees upper and lower 200.00
Brakes front/rear used 200.00
Wheels/tires 500.00

These prices and list are composed from what I've found on fleabay.

Lets not forget there is going to be money involved in machine work to make all the newer parts jive with our old dinosaurs.

I'll keep adding to the list as necessary.

Thanks for the info. I knew they looked similar to the ZRX shocks, but it didn't occur to me they could be off of one, I just assumed they were KYB aftermarket. The bike handles nicely up to about 90-95, then starts to get a wobble, though no where near as bad as some I've been on. I took it up to around 110, but it didn't feel too stable at that speed, so I didn't push it any farther. Seems pretty solid in turns, though I haven't pushed it too hard in them, so I am assuming they are reasonably close to OE shock length. I didn't buy it to push too hard, just wanted to see what it had and how it handled at higher speeds now that I had enough miles on it to know it was basically pretty solid. It definitely turns some heads, and gets questions at the gas pump. Amazes everyone that it is 31 years old.