Z750 L-3 Resto

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Z750 L-3 Resto; restoring the "Zed in the Shed"
Topic Started: Nov 23 2011, 10:20 PM (961 Views)
studentbiggles	Nov 23 2011, 10:20 PM Post #1
Member Posts: 18 Group: Members Member #24,909 Joined: November 23, 2011	Hi all, I'm a newbie to the forums having joined today. great to see so much info on the new and old kwacks on here. Right, here goes. My girlfriend (yes you read right) and I are embarking on our first ever resto project. Its a May 1984 (A) registered Z750 L-3 model. Its green (but should be red) and its an absolute basket case. Everything you touch is broken or worn out yet its done only 27400 miles. Its been dead for at least 10 years, is corroded to hell and I'm wondering why we bothered . But, there's a certain affection for the old girl, the more we find wrong the more determined we are to do a good job. So, if anyone can help in parts, advice etc, please follow the resto. I'll pop some pictures on, they kinda say it all really. Great site So, there we have one or two pictures of the dead Zed as she is now. It actually looks better for having some of the rubbish removed, but the whole thing's an absolute wreck. Tried getting it running and it did (of sorts), but at least the engine has no nasty clanks or knocks, but the casings are shot (as you can see). Girlfriend took out the spanners and removed the Eddie Lawson headlight fairing last night. Held on with spouting bolts and some kind of dodgy metal strip, even these have been tightened by some ham fisted twit and they've cracked the headlamp casing. It all keeps getting better. Hope you all enjoy, keep following and any advice appreciated !!! Dave Attached to this post: 385903_10150372832754578_796459577_8032591_612724088_n.jpg (107.54 KB) 302224_10150410540264578_796459577_8179286_587474879_n.jpg (90.96 KB) 298772_10150371784439578_796459577_8023793_1910331243_n.jpg (129.26 KB) 388229_10150371780724578_796459577_8023783_1313845926_n.jpg (100.76 KB) 375197_10150391806784578_796459577_8119950_275236141_n__1_.jpg (121.63 KB) 374582_10150410540189578_796459577_8179285_1653113672_n.jpg (120.18 KB) 310685_10150372832924578_796459577_8032594_338949190_n.jpg (139.71 KB) 302228_10150410540129578_796459577_8179284_595171611_n.jpg (98.25 KB) 312851_10150391807419578_796459577_8119957_28556430_n.jpg (125.48 KB) Edited by studentbiggles, Nov 24 2011, 01:18 PM.



kwakjack	Nov 25 2011, 07:39 PM Post #2
junior mechanic Posts: 256 Group: Members Member #15,231 Joined: August 15, 2010	poor thing, no bike deserves to be left in that condition. just dont give up, and if you need any help, just ask away. this website may help you if you are stuck at times. http://www.cmsnl.com/ Edited by kwakjack, Nov 25 2011, 07:40 PM.
	KE100 AR50 ZZR250 Zrx1100 Cb100n


studentbiggles	Dec 5 2011, 04:44 PM Post #3
Member Posts: 18 Group: Members Member #24,909 Joined: November 23, 2011	Hi. Many thanks Kwakjack Well, she's down to the bare bones of the frame now and you guessed it ! It got worse. They've even managed to break the footrest mounts. The engine mounts are cobbled together with any old junk that was laid on the floor, the headstock bearings are shot, the front mudguard has been bodged on with M10 (yes 10mm) bolts savaged into the alloy and the grab rail was butchered onto the frame using 3/8 sockets welded onto the frame to form "a mounting" . It really is in sht state. but it still has a kinda magnetism I can't explain. Dunno what like !!!!!!!!!!!! We did a quick cost analysis on getting the old girl back to something that resembles a Z750. We estimate £2365-00 !! No cr@p !!! In it for the long haul !! Edited by studentbiggles*, Dec 5 2011, 04:46 PM.



kwakjack	Dec 9 2011, 06:29 PM Post #4
junior mechanic Posts: 256 Group: Members Member #15,231 Joined: August 15, 2010	yipes, now thats a project and a half, time to get the welder out by the sounds of things lol
	KE100 AR50 ZZR250 Zrx1100 Cb100n


CrazyZX9RC2	Dec 11 2011, 10:07 PM Post #5
Kawasaki Pilot Posts: 59 Group: Members Member #25,130 Joined: December 7, 2011	WOW Looks like you both have your work cut out for you... it looks and sounds a right mess. kind of makes me feel good about my current restoration Don't give up!! It'll be awesome when finished. Keep the pics coming too. you guys going for an original or custom resto?
	1999 Kawasaki ZX9R Custom 1994 Kawasaki ZX9R 1981 Honda CBX550F Restoring 1980 Kawasaki Z250B 2001 Kawasaki ZZR250 "You rode what into who, now?" "Impossible??? ...what's this then?!" "Better to enter a corner slow and exit it fast, than to enter it fast and not exit at all"


cliffg	Dec 12 2011, 10:11 AM Post #6
100 MPH Posts: 113 Group: Members Member #20,404 Joined: May 16, 2011	Hi there yeah go for it, and dont think, do,also nothings a problem and most important,dont keep a record of the cost ,you will weep and you will never get it back have fun and good luck Edited by cliffg, Dec 12 2011, 10:11 AM.



BLACKICE	Dec 13 2011, 07:42 PM Post #7
BLACKICE Posts: 756 Group: Members Member #16,823 Joined: November 15, 2010	GOOD LUCK



studentbiggles	Dec 22 2011, 12:18 PM Post #8
Member Posts: 18 Group: Members Member #24,909 Joined: November 23, 2011	Hi Everyone Alas I'm going to dissapoint you all. Despite our best efforts and high levels of enthusiasm, the L-3 is dead. We stripped her down to the bare bones and found horror story after horror story. It appears this bike has been acquired by some builder (of Nuclear Bunkers ) in pieces and "Reassembled" using 6lb mallets and a nail gun . The ONLY usable items on the bike are: The wheels, the swinging arm and the headstock. Everything else is complete scrap to be honest. Even the frame and engine have been chopped and damaged by the butcher of Aberdeenshire. So, alas, the Zed is dead, BUT ALL IS NOT LOST !!!!!!!!!!! Last week I bought a 1982 GPz750 R-1. In good nick it needs a little TLC, but overall a very nice project. Shall keep you all posted. Thanks for the messages of support everyone



kwakjack	Dec 22 2011, 08:34 PM Post #9
junior mechanic Posts: 256 Group: Members Member #15,231 Joined: August 15, 2010	Aw sorry to hear that, sometimes just nothing you can do with them :(
	KE100 AR50 ZZR250 Zrx1100 Cb100n


studentbiggles	Dec 22 2011, 10:52 PM Post #10
Member Posts: 18 Group: Members Member #24,909 Joined: November 23, 2011	Thanks Kwakjack its a shame, but you have to see it to believe it. I'm 44, been in the motor trade in one form or another since 1980 (Yep, 12 years old) and I can honestly say I've never seen anything as bad as this, worst luck. Anyway, onwards and upwards with the GPz750 R-1



kwakjack	Dec 25 2011, 08:47 PM Post #11
junior mechanic Posts: 256 Group: Members Member #15,231 Joined: August 15, 2010	aye, cant wait to see piccies of that
	KE100 AR50 ZZR250 Zrx1100 Cb100n


studentbiggles	Jan 17 2012, 05:44 PM Post #12
Member Posts: 18 Group: Members Member #24,909 Joined: November 23, 2011	Now then everyone, been a while since the last post and all. "Last Post" ?? Mmmmmmmm, well, that's what I had to sound for the old L-3 worst luck. Well, the L-3 is gutted completely and its been filed away (as in boxed up) in some resemblance of order and work is progressing on the GPz750 R-1. This motor's pretty much ok, but its suffering from some ham-fistedness, but then again it is a project and one sometimes wonders; "Why do people just give up" ? Dunno really, you might say that about me and the L-3, but it really had to be seen to be believed. Its already yielded some useful pieces and parts to the R-1 though, so, things are looking up. before going too far I decided to have a go at getting the R-1 running, so I fitted the coils and wiring from the L-3 and it started, eventually, and it ran, kinda, and then it, stopped. Its not running very well, but at least the motor itself sounds good. No rattles, bangs or smoke. Its got a Motad N,eta exhaust on it and there's a collar missing, if anyone can help ?? Its also got a box section swinging arm fitted. This is definitely an after market job, and while it looks pretty, its suffered from some kind of bashing where the left bearing mounts in. This "bashing" smashed the bearing race and stoved in the bearing cage. The only thing I can think is, the chain snapped. I'll drop a pic on here later and if anyone can tell me more about this aftermarket swinging arm it would be appreciated . Also, there's a lug broken off the sprocket seal casing, so if anyone has one ?? overall though, its not turning out too bad. The electrics are a bit iffy and there's more than a few wrong bolts and nuts cobbling it together, but generally its onwards and upwards Some pictures posted below. Keep up the good work everyone Attached to this post: DSCF0008.jpg (829.32 KB) DSCF0009.jpg (840 KB) DSCF0012.jpg (848.63 KB) DSCF0013.jpg (833.9 KB) DSCF0010.jpg (831.33 KB) DSCF0011.jpg (832.77 KB) DSCF0014.jpg (832.38 KB) DSCF0015.jpg (820.13 KB) DSCF0016.jpg (824.39 KB) DSCF0017.jpg (820.67 KB) Edited by studentbiggles, Jan 18 2012, 04:24 PM.



studentbiggles	Jan 18 2012, 04:09 PM Post #13
Member Posts: 18 Group: Members Member #24,909 Joined: November 23, 2011	Hi everyone. attached are a few pics of this mysterious swinging arm. If anyone knows what it is then help would be greatly appreciated. Update to early post about the L-3 having a useable swinging arm. Actually its as useless as everything else. Rotten along the bottom and the tubes are gone also. Bearings shot as well. Scrap only !! Well, that leaves the wheels and the headstock Attached to this post: Front.jpg (822.33 KB) Rear.jpg (827.23 KB) Number_2406_or_240G.jpg (882.8 KB) Top.jpg (836.74 KB) Rear_Left.jpg (901.53 KB) Right.jpg (840.21 KB) Edited by studentbiggles, Jan 20 2012, 04:33 PM.



kwakjack	Jan 20 2012, 09:47 PM Post #14
junior mechanic Posts: 256 Group: Members Member #15,231 Joined: August 15, 2010	wow, great to hear from you guys again, looks like a good 'un this time, apart from the dodgy wiring and black paint all over everything lol. the swingarm looks like a beefier version of a ke100 one. whats the bike behind this one in the first picture, if you dont mind me asking, looks very shiney
	KE100 AR50 ZZR250 Zrx1100 Cb100n


studentbiggles	Jan 21 2012, 08:30 PM Post #15
Member Posts: 18 Group: Members Member #24,909 Joined: November 23, 2011	Hi again Kwakjack I found the arm is made by a company called Davida, they seem to specialise in Helmets nowadays, and I can't find anyone who may do spares for said swing arm. its only bearings I need anyway and these are numbered so I doubt I'll have too much trouble. The bike in the background is an '04 Triumph Thruxton 900. Great bike but a tad heavy !!!!



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