A3 Z1300 resto in Oz

Good job getting some fire in those cylinders again!

That fairing is actually a pretty nice piece of kit, any info on who made it? I would keep each and every bit of the that fairing and it brackets if it was a special order for the 1300.

Interesting to note about your '81 A3 being made in the US, I have an '81 A3 with an earlier vin date, made in Japan.

I am convinced the A3 was stop-gap model to keep production moving until the real changes were finished to the A4 in '82. I think Kawasaki had too many changes to fix the shortcomings of the 79-80 years and could not source the parts, or finish the design work in time.

The A3 made the mechanical changes to the engine, but they some how new the ignition was not going to work out long term. It's so different from the bikes before and after the A3... and the changes to fit the new ignition 82 were not minor (the engine cases are different).

The A3 is quite the odd ball that's for sure. Anyone know who many A3's were made? the internet claims less than 800 but I have no proof of that.

Just looked at the pic with the fairing on and instantly wanted on my bike , Jim Goose and the other Mad Max Zd's made them totally iconic...I want it..but you're in Oz, where it should be

I didn't look and got conned by a replica..what would Toecutter have to say :ohmy:


The pic that is..not the fairing..I still want that..can you post it to Liverpool

scotch wrote: After rebuilding any set and when ready to install for sync'g I always set the throttles statically by supporting the carbs upright on a bench and shining a bright light into the throttle bores. My preference is to shine the light into the Engine-side and view through the Intake ends. Fold a 1/4" wide by 3" long piece of writing paper once along the long side to give you a two ply strip 1/8" wide. This paper spacer can be placed in the venturi on the top or bottom and the throttles allowed to close on it. An equal "sliver" of light can then be set for each carb. I don't tighten the lock-nuts at this stage. Do not use anything metallic to avoid damaging the critical edge of the throttle-plate. For myself this always seems to get the throttles close enough to one another to get the engine started and into a usable idle starting point. Sync per the manual. If after sync'g and tightening the adjusters you find the throttles slow to return to idle or sticking just above idle but they can be closed to idle by hand, then you likely have one or more Sync-adjusters turned down too tight (bottomed-out at the extent of their threads). This will require all the adjusters to be backed off 1/4 to 1/2 turn and re-sync'd. Then the spring in the connecting-tube can keep the Ball-joints tight as designed and with the freedom of movement to allow full closure, to the idle-stop. Hope this helps.

Sorry, I forgot to reply to you back when you posted.
Thanks! I kind of figured that would be the way to get it close, but thought it best to ask. I basically did a rough sync going by eye on the plates. Obviously it was close enough to get her running, but will need to get it sorted properly once the airbox/filter/etc is back in place.

Tyler wrote: Good job getting some fire in those cylinders again!

That fairing is actually a pretty nice piece of kit, any info on who made it? I would keep each and every bit of the that fairing and it brackets if it was a special order for the 1300.

Interesting to note about your '81 A3 being made in the US, I have an '81 A3 with an earlier vin date, made in Japan.

I am convinced the A3 was stop-gap model to keep production moving until the real changes were finished to the A4 in '82. I think Kawasaki had too many changes to fix the shortcomings of the 79-80 years and could not source the parts, or finish the design work in time.

The A3 made the mechanical changes to the engine, but they some how new the ignition was not going to work out long term. It's so different from the bikes before and after the A3... and the changes to fit the new ignition 82 were not minor (the engine cases are different).

The A3 is quite the odd ball that's for sure. Anyone know who many A3's were made? the internet claims less than 800 but I have no proof of that.

The fairing is a La Parisienne. It is definitely made to suit the Z1300. I'll be hanging onto the fairing/mounts/etc, wont be putting them back on though, I like em naked!

I'm just stoked shés up and running!

good to see another one back on the road where they rule, love the 13's. Hope the finish all goes well.