1978 Kawasaki Z1-R front fork teardown step by step!

Forking around with the Z1-R! Front fork teardown step by step and figuring out the special tool I needed to make!

[@meatcreap]

I loved every second of this video. My '79 Kawasaki KZ750 Twin has the same fork construction and your method worked beautifully. I can't thank you enough!

[@andrewashman3333]

Very helpful - same as the Z650 I think - thanks from the UK.

[@garyspracticalworkshop357]

Don't worry about the mistake, we all make them thats how we all learn, this is better presented that mine , I can tell you that , I have to go through this with my Z1, suspenion and fork tarvel is really bad. Good work and nice video .

[@kevinworthington9148]

Hi bob just watched your fork takedown ,made me laugh ,,,,,,,back in the 80s I had a friggin nightmare with taking that bolt out we ended up getting a wooden brush handle knocking that down the tube getting the missus to get a firm hold (as they do ) and that did it mate keep up the great vids keep the black side up an keep safe `kev

[@danielkeel9265]

Those forks are almost identical to those in my '91 Zephyr, my Haynes manual suggested using a broomstick withe the rounded end placed against that round top of the piston, bracing it against the floor and loading up the spring, then breaking the loctite seal on the bottom bolt. It's a bit awkward but can be done single handed. I know you made a tool(kudos, btw ), but the broom handle worked surprisingly well interesting project. I remember these when they came out, my big brothers were a Z guys, thanks!

[@MotoRestoFL]

I think that's a very ingenious idea, however, I don't understand how the spring gets involved. You'd have to remove the spring for any broomstick to gain access to that top of the piston inside where the tool I made goes. But I get it, I bet if one clamped a broomstick end of a certain length in a vice and dropped the fork down upon, they could force it down enough to crack that bolt. I'd certainly say an impact gun would be best, which is what I use(d) on most of them. By the way, after these fork videos, I bought the "proper" OEM tool for these forks. My home-made tool you mentioned, worked better. Cheers.

[@als4621]

Appreciate the videos!

[@TonyTheNerd]

Very helpful, thanks

[@Joe-wi8kb]

THIS GUY IS GREAT!!! TO FUNNY!!!

[@raineman8428]

Thank you. I'm stuck =, not being able to undo that allen bolt at the bottom (it is so tight and will turn but not loosen) and this should help me.

[@davidvarady1716]

Use an impact with air. I grew up in a Kawasaki Dealership

[@tfjack97]

Well I hope my nuts are that tight when they are that age and that hard to get off :) anyway I digress, interesting video. I done a set of Hardley Davidson before it's just a little touchy being all aluminium, just be careful and you can get it with your manual by your side. Thanks for the video.

[@MotoRestoFL]

These particular ones suck, because of the special tool shaped like a cone required to hold the piston while unscrewing the cap bolt underneath. I'd never seen anything like that before. Done many, many forks before; seems the engineers maybe forgot some what to do that and said, heck, just used a tool that looks like a tapered reamer. Thanks for watching!