Kawasaki Z1, Z/Kz900 & Z/Kz1000

Kawasaki Z1, Z/KZ900 & Z/KZ1000 is for all owners and enthusiasts of the legendary Kawasaki Z1 900, Z/KZ900 and Z1000 built between 1972 and 1980. The book covers the complete restoration of a 1976 KZ900, from the sourcing of the bike to its completion as a fully restored machine. Every area is covered starting with advice on the different models, spares availability, and where best to source a bike to restore. Every area of the restoration is then covered in full detail including the engine, frame, gearbox, wheels, suspension and forks, brakes, ancillaries, bodywork and electrics, accompanied by hundreds of clear color photos to illustrate the text. Additional work on a 1974 Z1A model adds complementary information. What really sets this manual apart, however, is the style in which it is written: not as some dull and distant workshop manual but in a friendly, humorous manner by an enthusiast of many years who is able to involve and entertain the reader, as well as guiding them through the restoration process. This is the third restoration guide from Chris Rooke, whose previous works have been a massive hit with mechanics, enthusiasts and restorers throughout the world.
About the Author:

Chris Rooke was brought up in a mechanical family where his father was always tinkering with clocks and engines, and Chris inherited his love of all things mechanical from him. Where he gained his love of motorcycles from is anyone's guess! His first bikes were a Vespa 125 and a Lambretta SX200 at the tender age of 13, followed by a Raleigh Runabout, and then his first 'real' bike - a Casal moped (a rather cheap version of the Yamaha FS1E, made in Portugal) when he was 16. He then bought a BSA Starfire 250 when he turned 17 and this was the first bike he ever rebuilt that went again afterwards! After a short dalliance with a Suzuki Rebel 350, and having the dubious pleasure of sharing a flat with the owner of a 'tired' 1972 Norton Commando Combat 750cc that was off the road more than on, he bought the love of his life - a 1954 Matchless 350 GLS Heavyweight single that he stripped down and turned into a bobber/chopper and this remained his sole means of transport for many years. Sadly that bike was then stolen and after rebuilding a Triumph T100 for a friend he purchased a Triumph Bonneville T140 which was duly rebuilt and pressed into service, but this was soon sold to fund a house purchase (familiar story?) and for many years he remained bikeless. When his fortunes changed for the better he bought an E-Type Jaguar 4.2 FHC Series II which he completely restored form the ground up and formed the basis of his first restoration manual. The whole process took nine years, but as soon as he completed it he was forced to sell it for financial reasons. Undaunted he was then able to buy two Triumph Tridents, a 1973 T150V and a 1975 T160 which he completely restored quickly followed by the iconic Kawasaki Z900, and these form the basis of two further restoration manuals, along with the Essential Buyer's Guide to the Triumph Trident and BSA Rocket III.

Chris was brought up in a mechanical family, inheriting his love of all things mechanical from his father, who was always tinkering with clocks and engines. Where he gained his love of motorcycles from is anyone's guess! His first bikes were a Vespa 125 and a Lambretta SX200 at the tender age of 13, followed by a Raleigh Runabout, and then a Casal moped when he was 16. He purchased a BSA Starfire 250 when he turned 17 - at that time the first bike he'd ever rebuilt that went again afterwards! After a short dalliance with a Suzuki Rebel 350 he bought the love of his life - a 1954 Matchless 350 GLS Heavyweight single that he stripped down and turned into a bobber/chopper, and this remained his sole means of transport for many years. Sadly that bike was stolen, and, after rebuilding a Triumph T100 for a friend, he purchased a Triumph Bonneville T140, which was duly rebuilt and pressed into service, but later sold to fund a house purchase (familiar story?) and for many years he remained bikeless. When his fortunes changed for the better he bought an E-type Jaguar 4.2 FHC Series II which he completely restored from the ground up. The whole process took nine years, but as soon as he completed it he had to sell it for financial reasons. Undaunted, he was then able to buy two Triumph Tridents, a 1973 T150V and a 1975 T160, which he completely restored. He has recently turned his attention to one of his most coveted classic motorcycles - the Kawasaki Z1. Having lusted after one for so long he bought two! - a 1974 Z1A, and a 1976 KZ900, which have both now been carefully restored. Chris Rooke's own motorcycle restorations form the basis of his Enthusiast's Restoration Manuals: his first book covers the complete restoration of the Triumph Trident, and now this book details the complete restoration of a 1976 Kawasaki Z1.