Z650 Restomod Build Thread
Discussion
Drilled the new Renthal bars to take the wiring from the M-Switches, fitted the bars to the bike, along with the HEL master cylinders and grips. then made a bracket to mount the speedo/tacho unit. It'll be using a GPS sensor, while the bike won't have an ignition barrel/key, but a RFID keyless system.
I had wanted to use a classic Zed pair of speedo/tacho clocks, however finding a good electronic pair of clocks isn't easy, so for now I'm using this combined unit. When I have time, will look into making a new, more traditional looking console. Even without the engine, think I can build most of the wiring harness.
I had wanted to use a classic Zed pair of speedo/tacho clocks, however finding a good electronic pair of clocks isn't easy, so for now I'm using this combined unit. When I have time, will look into making a new, more traditional looking console. Even without the engine, think I can build most of the wiring harness.
Having an interesting time trying to build the wiring harness for the MK2 without an engine. Can't do everything, but I can do approx 90%. The keyless ignition system is on back order, but the GPS speedo sensor should be here in a few days.
Using an M-Unit simplifies things a lot.. no need for a fuse box, alarm system, relays, etc. Though the wires from the M-switches are tiny, and tricky to work with.
Have to work on my drive now, between the rain showers, as no room left in my garage
Using an M-Unit simplifies things a lot.. no need for a fuse box, alarm system, relays, etc. Though the wires from the M-switches are tiny, and tricky to work with.
Have to work on my drive now, between the rain showers, as no room left in my garage
Merch131 said:
Need a bigger garage really. Been working outside on the drive during the summer, but now it's getting colder and wet, progress will have to slow down.
On the new series of the 'The Motorbike Show' with Henry Cole and his mate Allen they're restoring an old Kawasaki Z1000, he's stripped the engine and the frame is about to be powder coated in black and then the rest reassembled with a box of parts, also a good guide to buying an old Ducati 748BP, won't say too much, it's on Wednesday at 9pm on ITV4 and well worth a viewing 
After 8 months of looking finally found a good front wheel for the Z1000A1, from a Z900RS, with a new tyre fitted, I could assemble the rolling chassis very loosely. See how it looks for the first time.
Also made a house for the GPS speedo aerial. The carbon fibre cockpit fairing is a copy of that fitted to the Z900RS cafe, but not been able, yet, to find a matching fairing / headlight mount. Instead, I have found the standard Z900RS bracket which I'll modify to mount the fairing. Ditto the carbon front guard, will make my own mount for it.
No shocks yet, so had to use what I had, otherwise the bike would be unbalanced when I added the front forks.
Also made a house for the GPS speedo aerial. The carbon fibre cockpit fairing is a copy of that fitted to the Z900RS cafe, but not been able, yet, to find a matching fairing / headlight mount. Instead, I have found the standard Z900RS bracket which I'll modify to mount the fairing. Ditto the carbon front guard, will make my own mount for it.
No shocks yet, so had to use what I had, otherwise the bike would be unbalanced when I added the front forks.
Not for the purists this pic !
I’ve been watching your build and thought I’d share a pic of one of my old chops - a z650 with a gsxr 750 engine in it.
Ugly as hell but great fun.
You are doing a great job with yours and it won’t look like a bag of spanner’s like my old one !
Keep up the good work
My Tarozzi rear sets finally arrived from Italy, I'm using a Brembo master cylinder, so had to make a bracket to mount it. Started with a cardboard template then made it in 5mm alloy plate, before painting it with etch primer and satin black 'tough' paint. The levers come apart to reposition the small lever, but can't get them apart, so making a tool to do so, rather than risk damaging the finish. The spacers from the bracket to the master cylinder need to be slimmer and a bit longer, once made, I'll get them hard anodised black.
Finished the Rearset mount, just need to mount a reservoir behind the side panel and fit new Ti banjo bolts abd thats the rear brake done.
Too cold to be out in my unheated garage, so loosely assembled the engine for the Z1000A1. The head has to go off to Camcoat to be given the same ceramic finish as the cases. This head being the one that was dropped by the machine shop, which broke six fins.. now fixed. BTW the barrel has been given some high tech thermal dispersant coating.
All I started with was the cases and a worn out barrel.. also with broken fins..
Too cold to be out in my unheated garage, so loosely assembled the engine for the Z1000A1. The head has to go off to Camcoat to be given the same ceramic finish as the cases. This head being the one that was dropped by the machine shop, which broke six fins.. now fixed. BTW the barrel has been given some high tech thermal dispersant coating.
All I started with was the cases and a worn out barrel.. also with broken fins..
Edited by Merch131 on Wednesday 14th December 16:51
Getting the engine coated cost around £450, similar price to having it powder coated. A lot of the cost is in the prep, vapour blasting and masking off all the gasket surfaces etc.
Overall, due to the high prices of even 'barn find' old Zeds, it actually works out cheaper building a bike like this, particularly since I'll throwaway the wheels, suspension, brakes etc, and replace them with more modern stuff.
Overall, due to the high prices of even 'barn find' old Zeds, it actually works out cheaper building a bike like this, particularly since I'll throwaway the wheels, suspension, brakes etc, and replace them with more modern stuff.
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