Kawasaki ZX-7 Build
A 1990 Kawasaki ZX-7, given to me by a friend of a friend after 20 years in parts.
I acquired this ZX-7 through a friend of a friend. His name was Steve. He was moving back to England and needed to clear out some of his stuff, and he had this ZX-7, a 1990. It had been sitting in a lockup in parts for over 20 years, never going anywhere. He’d had big plans to build it to a super high spec, but never actually got around to it.
During the move he was talking to my friend Calvin, and said, “Hey, I need to get rid of this bike.” Calvin said, “I know just the person.” So Steve gave it to me, on the condition that I sent him a video of it running once I’d finished building it.
So here’s how a 20-year-old box of parts turned back into a bike. It was a bit of a jigsaw puzzle for me, but ultimately it was a lot of fun.
- 2020
December 13
A quick look inside the engine, a cleaned-up frame, and the engine going into the frame.
December 19
Overhauling the front forks: stripped down, new fork seals, working like new.
December 21
The obligatory injury, then new Michelin tyres on nice clean wheels.
December 24
Stripping the brake calipers and vapour blasting them back to like new.
December 28
Rebuilding the rear brake master cylinder: vapour blasted, replated parts and new seals.- 2021
January 15
The fork rebuild continues: fully stripped for new bushings, oil seals and fluid.
January 20Moving to California
News of a move from Michigan to California, and a time crunch to get the bike finished.
January 30
The rebuilt forks go on. Almost half a rolling motorcycle.
February 6
Choosing the rear suspension rocker, fitting the Fox shock, and the front end coming together.
February 7
Getting the electrical system and the clocks into the bike. Not long now until power-up.
February 13She's alive!
First power-up: everything works, all the lights work, and the original carbs are back in.
February 27
Less than a month until the move, and a new home for the horn.
February 28
The bodywork starts going on, while waiting for parts from the powder coaters.
March 11
The horn mounted, the full fairing on, and still waiting for the brake calipers.
March 13
Almost complete: bodywork, rear suspension and rear wheel on. Still no calipers, and less than two weeks to go.
March 1499% finished
The bike 99% finished, waiting on the brake calipers, with the move looming.
March 20Finished!
The calipers finally arrive, the brakes get bled, and I ride the bike home. Seven days before the move.