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i also need pinstripes for my tank and tailpiece, i am currently trying to have them made by a firm called atik graphics. only thing is first he has to design them, if they are any good i will pass on the details.  malc.

I still have the receipt when purchased with the bike from new (extra £20)

Kinnel we sound like a complete pair of anoraks. Sad as it may be I do enjoy this knowledge. It is surprising just how much mindless Sh*t is in my head at times but it’s good to share mate.

Yes that’s the reference I used. It can get a bit annal, the chapter on date codes that appear on the actual parts goes on for pages. Must confess that I photographed every dated part during my Z1 resto as there are only a few parts on that bike that are not original/genuine OEM so hopefully it will help the kids make a fortune when they come to…[Read more]

That’s are correct and fair enough re the bushes mate.

However regarding the labels this is becoming a bigger discussion ha ha. I assume you are referring to the following extracts

There are a few who prefer mags as oppose to wires. My preference is the wires but I do hace a set of mags in the garage.

Hi Malc and welcome to the site.

Sounds like you bought a bit of a challenge there but great to hear you’ve seen it through to the end. Please post some pics when she is ready.

Shame you didn’t find us earlier as we could have helped with parts.

Cheers

KK

KK, all good, will go with OEM’s. I think the same bushes were used on other Kawasaki road bikes of the time, particularly the triple two strokes. I think cast iron was used because it is probably cheaper than brass and was a common bearing material as it can be used with a hardened steel shaft due to the coefficient of friction being relatively…[Read more]

Looking forward to seeing that one! Mine is a 78 B3.

Well I stand corrected. I cannot see any reason why cast iron would be used in this way but it does explain why some members are having so much trouble removing old ones. It’s not very often I’ve needed to replace these. When I recently Refurbed my B1 I used a NOS swinging arm so didn’t need to remove them.

The one’s I am offering in brass are…[Read more]

KK, the first NOS bush has arrived and debunks my theory about the material changing in the first year of manfacture. It came wrapped in oily plastic (as in the photo) and then in its own sealed bag with the label. From the type style on the label and the (9J) bottom left hand side, we can determine that this part was made in October 1989, and it…[Read more]

That is really interesting. I will look into that but keep me updated on your progress. If all else fails then I can supply brass ones for around £20 if I remember correctly.

KK

You got me thinking, as I had expected brass, or even just steel. Went and had a closer look and remembering my high school metal work classes, put it to the grinding wheel – fine short sparks that ‘exploded’ in little bursts after leaving the wheel – pretty sure that’s indicative of cast iron. Have attached photo of granular texture at fracture…[Read more]

Ok thank you, thought it was worth checking while its all in bits. Frames off to powder coaters tomorrow, hopefully get bottom end back together next week, still a lot to do but making progress

Karl