Just took hold of this baby, going to start getting her back on track.

Main issues cosmetically are pitting and rust on nearly all the chrome bits. Two rust bubbles on fuel tank.

Obvious other issues are leaking front seals, stuck front brake lever. The guy hasn't started it since 2000 and it hasn't been ridden since 1991. Only 69000ks and not a mark (except for the rust) Any tips welcome. I think I'll just get her to roadworthy and rego'd then plug away at making her pretty. I don't I'll have the time or money to take her to pristine for a while. New bub on the way.

Please give advice if you can. I will post specific problems as they arise.

Gary :333

is it the 4 cylinder or twin?
fork seals aren't hard to do and readily available.. is the chrome alright on the tubes/stanchions?

front brake lever.. it maybe an idea to empty the master cylinder out and take it off, put some penetrating oil inside it, and also on the plunger that the lever pushes in and leave it a few hours, then with the penetrating oil still in the reservoir try and free the plunger off, it should work, its very messy! don't do it dry or it'll f*ck the seals, ones it's moving freely, empty the oil out and pump some fresh fluid through it, you will need to change the brake fluid and chances are the brake caliper will be seized as well

post some pics m8

I have some pics but not sure how to put them on the forum. If anyone can help me be much appreciated. :991

Its a four, a little bit of rust on the tubes but I don't think it will be too bad.

rust like this shouldn't be a problem, the worst at the top and the odd spots where the seals actually run over...

i've heard tell you can sometimes use resin to fill in big rusty spots... the laws are a lot different in the UK, so i dunno how much you guys can get away with, over here we can cover them with gaiters (like on a motoX bike) and as long as it aint pee'ing out oil you can get away with it, look ugly but here in old Blighty we have a thing called an MOT which is a yearly inspection to see if the bike is road worthy, it gets stricter every year! loads of spots even if it doesn't leak, would fail the MOT :unsure:

if you have some webspace you can link to pictures using the "IMG" button up there^^^
or use photobucket or one of the free picture hosting site's, or email me them and i'll stick em in mine for you: nigeuk62@hotmail.com

the rusty heap (z650) is one i've bought for spares to fix mine lol :blink:

here you go mate your pics:

Thanx woods for putting my pics up, I will have to take a photo of the bikes good side to put up, otherwise I'll get to depressed.

Any way jobs for the weekend, see if bike will start. Get some Steel wool and rust killer and start on some rust. Will probably start on the rear grab bar so if i bugger it up it wont matter. Just a reason to go for a Ventura rack in the future.

Job 2 go to second hand book shops and see if I can jag a manual, they want $60 bucks of a website.

Fingers crossed it fires.

Good luck with the restoration

Weekend didn't quite work out as planned. After working all Sat and having friends over Sunday wasn't much time left for poor old zed. However removed the seat, fuel tank and battery (big deal?) and put in another battery. Turned the key and the lights, blinkers etc all work so win number one.

No manuals in bookshops in town so will order one tomorrow, hopefully will steal some time through the week to remove carbs and start to check motor. Also need to hit with a big air compressor followed by a hose so I can see what I'm working on. Its amazing how much dust can be accumulated over a 15yr period.

Oh and after very negative responses from my supportive family (wife not included who has given permission for the bike to be in kids play room as we have not built a shed yet) a few of my mates saw the bike and are stoked. One of them is thinking about looking about for a bike so he can do one up too. Nice to have some support.

Hopefully by next weekend will have something exciting to report.

I broke something. :gzs Where the cluch cable comes out of the handgrip, behind it is another cable that look likes it has something to do with the clutch. Anyway in removing everything to get the handlebars off and shine up, I busted it where it goes into the hand grip.

What does it do?

I think I'll be able to glue it up, just have to more carefull.

The thingy I broke is called the starter lockout switch. Got to have the clutch engaged to close the circuit so the starter works. Looks fairly easy to cross, so if I can't fix it I should be able to bodgy it up enough to get the bike going, or until I get a new one.

yeah its the starter cutout switch, on uk bikes its stops you starting the bike in gear with the clutch out, you don't need it to start in netrual

Finally got back to the bike today, a month after the baby was born. Gave it a good tub, put all the stuff back on I had taken off so I could remember where it goes, and tried to start her.

Carbies cleaned, Spark plugs checked and cleaned, turn key - lights work, neutral light on, no reaction from pressing the starter button.

About to start with a trouble light to see where if I'm losing power in the wiring before it gets to the starter.

Got my open Aus licence a couple of weeks ago, and I'm itching to get off the trail bike onto the Z and enjoy the road experience.

If it turns out that ignition is O.K., recheck the carbs paying close attention to the idle circuit. The orifices in the pilot jets are tiny! You can check that the passages are clear by using aerosol carb cleaner with a straw and work your way from the pilot air intakes in the rear throat of the carbs, to the idle air screws, then to the pilot jets and the drillings on the engine side of the slides.
Good Luck!

Long time no contact, anyway got the bike to a mates place a couple of weeks ago. He just happens to be a lot more mechanically minded than me.

Raining today so a day off on the farm spent a few hours on the bike, new spark plugs a battery with charge, a little mucking around with on/off switch and away she went. A little rough to start but then bloody great.

I'm very excited. :711

Next free up the brakes. Rang the kwaka shop and tried to get a new front master cylinder. No good, rare as and very pricey. So Its off with the old and in to town to see if a good clean up and kit will do the job.

Brakes then front forks, then rear forks then hopefully on the road without a mega fortune spent. :pwq

Started up again on friday night. Cyliners 2 & 3 Exhausts glowing red hot. What might be causes and fixes.

Sounds like it is running way too lean on those cylinders. Try richening it up.

Old girl now ready for rego.

Since last post she's got new front fork springs and seals, koni rear shocks, chain and sprocket, grips, mirrors and light switch, carbs cleaned and syncronised, front and rear tyre.

So there you go not a bargain any more but should be a reliable and interesting sunday arvo ride.

Will posts some pics soon.