Z1 as a project?

[Laverda Dave]

Looking really good Dave. Hopefully the sun will be out when it's ready to ride.

[Andrew-S]

Thanks for the advice about the exhaust bushes, I finally got these sorted properly last night. All I need to do now is to sort the front brakes out, and fit a non leaking petrol tap, then I can see if she fires up! Once ready I'll fit the number plate and get some insurance so I can start to run the engine in. I am watching my emails like a hawk, waiting for notification that the tap is on its way.

Thanks also for the comments, I took these photos yesterday when I was maneuvering the bike to the back of the garage, so I could get my car back in out of the rain.

The Zed1A is looking great Dave, I'm sure you're very pleased.

Can I ask about the interlocking tiles on your garage floor - do they get marked or torn up by the centre stand and would they survive a car jack?  What thickness are they and who supplied them as I'm looking to fit some to my garage floor?

Thanks,
Andrew

[MrDavo]

Thanks Andrew, yes I’m pleased with the Zed, however I’m concerned that soon I won’t have a project any more - I get more out of doing them than using them - with 3 bikes and 2 cars I can only use one at once. I might sell a bike, but it’s like choosing between your kids.

The floor tiles I bought about 8 years ago off eBay as a job lot from a firm in Sheffield, I’m sorry I don’t have more info. They’re about 1cm thick, PVC (I think) and pretty durable. I have used jacks, paddock and axle stands no problem. They often leave a mark, which goes in time as the tile ‘recovers’. Much appreciated due to the lack of dust, especially when I end up having to lie on the floor under the car. I do have a collection of old car floor mats which I put down for kneeling etc as I’m not getting any younger.

[Andrew-S]

Thanks Dave, useful info on the tiles.

I think when you ride the Zed I'm sure it very quickly become you're favourite kid........ 

[MrDavo]

 I just got an email to say that my PMC fuel tap has been dispatched. Woohoo! I'd better get myself some insurance sorted out!

[philward]

Thanks Andrew, yes I’m pleased with the Zed, however I’m concerned that soon I won’t have a project any more - I get more out of doing them than using them - with 3 bikes and 2 cars I can only use one at once. I might sell a bike, but it’s like choosing between your kids.

I know that feeling Dave (about time spent 'doing them' and riding the bikes), with 4 bikes, a motorhome (which we are away for a week every 2 weeks thoughout summer), my rotational bike ride outs are getting shorter! Now retired but with the 4 bikes. 2 old cars, motorhome and general home maintenance, I'm on the go all the time (have to get up at 6.30 to fit a run in!) - I tell myself (and my wife), that the bikes are my 'art' and its not just about the riding anymore. Don't know how other members get on as I know they have more bikes than me?

[philward]

Thanks Dave, useful info on the tiles.

I think when you ride the Zed I'm sure it very quickly become you're favourite kid........ 

I agree Andrew, the stand out moment in my biking life was the return ride from picking up my ZIB in August 1975 - can still feel the sensation (the speed, smoothness and road presence after my (much loved) 500K1

[MrDavo]

Fuel tap fitted Friday, I tried to start her on Friday evening. Much to my surprise, she started straight away, and was soon warm and running off the choke.
Saturday she was dragged into the sunlight for the first time, for the first test.





I also got the see the metal flake in the paint 'popping' in the sunlight.



A couple of trips around the block, to check it all works, and then off for the first ride. Here we are by the Holmfirth road at the site of the 'Isle of Skye' moorland pub. The bike ran smoothly, with a familiar whistle from the airbox, similar to my Triumph Daytona 1000 four.



Number 4 header was a little straw coloured when I got back. scared of irreversibly blue pipes I whipped the carbs off, and applied a smear of silicon under #4 carb manifold, and tightened the clamp screws tight. No more yellowing, and I polished out most of what there was. I'm running her in by the book, and changing up at 4,000 rpm for the first 500 miles. We are now at 160 miles, she runs a little rough below 3k, not sure if that's because we are on the verge of stalling or if the setup isn't quite there yet, also if you set the tickover at a particular temperature, if it gets hotter/colder it won't tick over that well without using the throttle a little bit. I'm hoping to get the timing strobed and the carbs vacuum balanced ASAP, we'll see how we are then. The wife isn't coming pillion while running in, she wants me to get on with it, so we can 'go for a blast' on her first ride out.

thanks for everyone's help, particularly Spitfire, for the kind donation of a genuine KHI Shop Manual languishing in his attic.

[JamesH]

Now that is a stunning restoration. Many congrats Dave - that's a real credit to you. Thanks for sharing the progress.

[philward]

As said before, I'm jealous! Really suberb build Dave - it looks fantastic! 

[Laverda Dave]

Fantastic restoration. Well done Dave.

[Spitfire]

Superb restoration, that really looks the part and glad that the manual came in handy, it's better than it rotting away in my loft.

Cheers

Dennis

[smoothoperator]

Great looking bike. I'm probably not the only one drooling over it.

[taysidedragon]

Beautiful 👍

[MCTID]

Luvverly ! Reminds me of the first brand new one I saw parked up around 1974.....that was a green one.

My Missus got stroppy with me because I stood admiring it for a few minutes........like you do !

You have done a fine job there Dave.....and I think all on this Forum have enjoyed the journey so a hearty thanks from all of us.

It was worth all the long hours, head scratching, knuckle bruising, cuppas going cold, swearing and counting to 10 that it's taken as it's a real credit to you. Well done.