ZL1000 Project

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Scottmollica

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ZL1000 Project Brisbane

09 OCT 11 There was a ZL1000 for sale on the side of the road. I checked it out and the next day checked it out again and purchased it. It was originally Blue but the previous owner painted it Yellow. It Starts first kick every time, runs perfectly, although a bit hot if i get stuck in traffic. Has some dents from being dropped a few times. Badges scratched. Radiator shroud is broken.

Im wanting to restore this bike so im creating this thread to post updates and ask advice from anyone who can help me. P1011310.jpgP1011306.jpgP1011313.jpgP1011312.jpg
 
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Re: ZL1000 Project Brisbane

Welcome to the site, see you've got the euro model with the short sissy bar. Also looks like someone has replaced the instrument cluster with ???, not sure where that came from.
First thing to do is remove the horns and make sure the chrome covers are attached to the actual metal horn by some form of adhesive, the covers come off easily without extra grip from something and are difficult to find [and expensive when you do find them!]. A lot of the other parts [original style turn signals, etc] can be sourced from eBay, just watch the prices and compare to new when it's still available. For example, there are constantly sellers listing the chrome swing arm caps for $20-30 USD, where a new factory one [which is still available] is $8.40 USD. Turn signals can be a little tricky, a lot of the ones advertised are either very generic or two wire only, in the US we need three wire for the front since they also act as running lights. Not sure about your specific bike...
The right mufflers come up on eBay occasionally [no longer available from the factory], the ones from a ZL900 look similar but aren't an exact match if your doing a factory restore. Also, the speedo on a 900 will fit and function, but it has a slightly different face. Radiator shrouds are scarce, they break easy and neither factory or aftermarket available; those are the same between a 900 and a 1000.
Somewhere on the site there is a thread showing the differences between the US and Euro model of the bikes, you might find that interesting. Use the site search option to locate it.

Good luck with your project!!
 
Re: ZL1000 Project Brisbane

Congrats on your new ZL and thanks for saving one from a fate of slow decay...
 
Re: ZL1000 Project Brisbane

I want to get the cluster changed ASAP. There are holes in the back so bugs and water keep getting in. The bike the cluster came from must have had atleast a windshield.
It makes sence this looks like a hybrid. The guy I got it off had a hard time sourcing parts so he got them from all over, different bikes, uk, us, Japan, or just made them himself in the case of the windshield it had. But the PVC was smashed when my father laid the bike down while moving it in the carport. Also snapped the footpeg off. :(. If someone knows the best place to get the new cluster from would be awesome. First things I'm doing is fixing the buckled brakes, cluster, cooling issues.

And yes, the gauge cluster off a GPZ1000. Thanks for all your advice and suport so far.
 
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Re: ZL1000 Project Brisbane

First press of the button. I don't know what you all call it but we call it kick from when you had to kick start bikes.
 
Re: ZL1000 Project Brisbane

I need the left hand side rider peg. How much do you want for it? Right now I put the passenger peg in it's place but I need a replacement. I checked eBay and Kawasaki in Japan but they are all out. Can you help me?
 
Re: ZL1000 Project Brisbane

Foot pegs show up on eBay on a regular basis, that would probably be your best bet. Also, there is a "Parts Wanted" as well as a "Parts for Sale" thread on the site here, someone may have one from a parts bike. Which foot peg is it??
 
Posting an update on my project.
I have new tacho, speedo and centerpiece thanks to various members of this site and tedious searching on the web. Its looking brilliant. Pictures will be up soon.

I had put some Pod filters on instead of the air box which proved impossible to put back on after a carby clean due to really old boots connecting the box to the carby. It was cheaper to get new pods instead of boots although makes the bike harder to tune due to a lack of vacuum, also creates some popping backfiring when really cold.

Had the ZL in at the mechanic the other day to investigate a rattle and to get the valve clearances checked. They tell me the cam chain has not been maintained... ever. The chain was in such bad condition the teeth had acted like a chain saw over the years and had eaten through the guides. Once the guides were gone the chain just flopped around causing more damage to itself, and luckily nothing else. Fortunately the mechanics noticed this in time and I was lucky the chain was still in working order. this has all been fixed now and the bike is running fantastically.

finally, my girlfriend got me leather saddle bags for the bike which make a wonderful accessory and extremely practical as now I don't have to carry a bag with me everywhere. Although I do need some brackets made up to make the bags sit flush and not sag.
 
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