1981 Kawasaki Z200 A4

Well this is one of my current bikes. I've had it for nearly a year and done the head gasket, hand cut out from gasket paper a generous mobile mechanic gave me when he saw me working on it with a completely useless aftermarket gasket kit I bought form ebay which was all wrong. Anyway I found the rings were gone after all so I've been searching for some ring to suit the 0.5 OS piston I bought form the States. Still can't find anything but a1-a2 rings so I think I will just try standard rings first and see if I can get the compression up and the smoke gone.

As you can see form the before shot (although its a 78 model in the ad they look the same) it has mechanical front disks. Not hydraulic. My CB 200 had those too and they are a bit sketchy because over time (about 40 years of it) the alloy housing arm bracket sags from fatigue and the disk is out of alignment with the brake piston. I managed to put some shims in on the CB to rectify it though. Haven't gone far or fast enough on the Kwaka to warrant having a look yet but they feel old and saggy too. Don't you love project bikes.

Still looking for a side cover. Not sure but all over the world they only have left hand side ones available.
Also need a headlight (bulb). I bought a taillight from Czechoslovakia but it was for the wrong model. Boo hoo. Gaffer tape. Bought a rear swing arm as well but found I only needed the trough bolt not the bushes as when I pulled the old arm off it had a way undersize bolt in it hence the wafting play.

Oh yeah the seat in the shot I put on the XS250 and got the old torn seat recovered. Not the best upholsterer in the country but it will do for now till I decide what to do with it.