Descrizione
About This Bike: an ** SCC Classic** RDM Z1 When Z-power recently vacated its premises in Leigh (Lancashire) and moved to much bigger premises in Hudderfield, the opportunity arose for me to make the small step, from rebuilding nut and bolt perfect Z1 restorations, to build tributes to Sanctuary styled "retro-mods". This range of bikes will be known as the RDM- Range. I ** building just five bikes to showcase the different styles and options, The first five bikes will be numbered from RDM-Z1 TO RDM-ZV. The concept is relatively simple. Graft the front end and the rear end of a Kawasaki ZRX1200 into a 1970`s Z1000 frame with the aid of bespoke billet yokes. Improve the braking and suspension and give the bike that classic retro-mod, muscle bike look. It sounds simple in when you say it quickly, but it's not! In practice, there are minor modifications required to make it all fit: * The forks need to be completely stripped down and fitted with new stanchions (hence the option of gold stanchions) and various seals. * All of the bearings (wheel, swing arm) are replaced. * The brake callipers stripped down and refurbished, new discs and hoses fitted. * The ZRX is generally acknowledged as being a little over-sprung at the back, so the rear shocks have to go (they are a little too long anyway). The option of raked YSS or original position Ohlins fits the bill. * A 530 chain conversion and some offset sprockets are required to achieve rear wheel fit and alignment. * The frame itself is modified to take the Z1 side panels and has minor strengthening plates welded in place. * The clocks are fully restored and the faces can be colour matched to the body work or any other design. * All new electrics are fitted with the charging system upgraded and the latest ignition systems fitted. * A new seat with various options. The engines are given a full rebuild but kept more or less standard. The rebuild includes: * A re-bore, leading to new pistons and rings, normally taken to 1030cc. (70. 5mm) * The cylinder head fully checked and fitted with new valve guides (if worn) and new valves, seats checked and reground as necessary. * All new cam chain, idlers and tensioners (often the reason for those unseemly top ends ticks and rattles). * Any worn items replaced (bearings, clutch basket, clutch plates etc). * Crank and gearbox checked for any wear. * Option of an oil cooler I have experimented with three finishes on the engine. * There is a black Xylon, this is the closest thing that we have found to the original Z1 finish. It has the advantage of being Teflon based and is bordering on indestructible. It is microns thick (a double edged sword; great for rebuild but shows any imperfections in the casting) and although it can be polished/ ground away it is 100% jet wash resistant. * I have always been a big *** of Steve Smethurst's barrel rolling process for the Z1 restoration projects. The finish is more corrosion resistant unlike vapour blasting, and looks better as it has a slight sheen to it, rather than the matt finish of vapour blasting. I ** always going to offer this as one of the options for the engine finish. * The third option is a vapour blast with a clear ceramic coat. Not as authentic as that provided by barrel rolling, but this is not a restoration so authenticity is not a requirement. It provides the naked alloy look of the original Zs (after the Z1) but has the advantage of excellent corrosion resistance and "clean-ability". It's nearly as robust as the Xylon. If you intend to use the bike and don't want to spend hours polishing it, and don't have a heated/ dehumidified garage in which to keep it (and don't want the engine black) then this finish is worthy of consideration. Anyone that owns a big Z will know what a potential source of trouble the carburettors can be. The obvious thing to do is replace them with something modern and reliable. I ** therefore fitting a set of 34mm flat slides Mikunis to all the bikes. Improved reliability is the main objective, but there is a by-product of improved efficiency. Rather than fit pods, I have had manufactured adapters that enable the flat slides to be connected to a standard Z1 air box. Pods (or trumpets) can be fitted but the aesthetics of the standard look is sometimes preferred by many. The bodywork is all brand-new aftermarket parts provided from Z-power (no rust in these tanks!!). The paint schemes are all Kawasaki Z1 based with a twist, designed by me (with help from Kev at Dream Machine). I have tried to vary the exhaust systems on all the bikes, varying from a reasonable priced system to a very expensive full titanium system. The idea is to keep the iconic design features of the Z1, like the clocks, indicators, taillight and round cam covers but update it to a safer, more reliable bike with modern brakes and tyres. OK, so let's get on with the rebuild. The first bike of course will be the RDM-Z1. After stripping the donor bike down to bare bones the...
