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Not much has ever been written about the z1000H or G models. They were produced in 1980 and were the first attempt by Kawasaki to produce a fuel injected motorcycle. The EFI was converted from a car EFI system (some reports at the time state a Datsun system and others a Bosch system) and used a air flap mechanism as well as the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) to meter the fuel. in reality the TPS is just a switch not the actual throttle position as used in ALPHA-N systems introduced form 1982 onwards on the GPz1100B2 models.
The head is quite unique as it is port injected and this carried through to the GPz1100B1 model (but not the GPz1100B2 which had throttle body injection).
Because of the duration of the cam shafts and the reliability of the electrical connections the air flap design did not work to well and the EFI randomly stopped working, especially on rapid throttle twists, so owners were ripping the EFI out and installing carbs to get the bikes to run reliably. These days a MegaSquirt (Microsquirt) EFI kit will cure the EFI issues of the past.
Australia, New Zealand and Europe received the sporty z1000H, which is mechanically the same as the z1000G except for the tank, side covers, seat, guards, paint job and tail piece. The "H" model looks more like a z1000J. Around 3201 of each H and G models were made. I have #405, one of my friends has #101.
The z1000G (aka z1 Classic) was only released in the US, so over the years there has been some confusion when Americans talk about a 1980 z1000 and Australians talk about a 1980 z1000. The engine is essentially a MkII motor with different intake manifold and different head.
I have a friend who has the "H" model and once the "G" is running I shall park the two bikes next to each other so we can do a detailed report on the two.
At this stage the "G" is in storage for the foreseeable future. It occured to me just recently that it could be converted to look like a z1 (since it is officially a "z1 Classic") and that would make it even more unique.
1980 z1000H as released in Australia
October 2006
I have been working on a google home page on the z1000H/G EFI system as an experiment, the page creation tools appear to be very limited so here is the beginings of something. z1000H/G EFI Page
1980 z1000G as released in the USA
Update - July 26th
After 45 minute or so, the "G" kicked into life and once the oil and cob webs burned away it idled pretty well and didn't faulter when the throttle was tweeked to 6000 every now and then.
To get it running:
Flushed out the tank;
Stripped and cleaned the petcock;
Flushed the filter, pump and injector rails;
Fixed the ignition leads and cleaned the plugs;
Topped up the oil.
After the cleanup, the bike started within a few turns and then once warm started first go every go!
Once running I used the chance to fiddle with the air flap design to see what happens when you flick it open randomly, not surprisingly the ECU just stalled the bike. Now that it runs, I can plan the restoration knowing what the condition of the motor is.
These two pictures highlight the state of the "G" when purchased from a guy in Darra, Brisbane. It had been sitting in a shed (looks more like a cover over it in the bush) for 6 years.
Originally he said it arrived in Australia in 1997 after sitting in a shed (barn ??) for 17 years in the US of A. It was registered for a few year prior to it being parked. It now has a thick coating of oil over all the parts to hold the rust at bay.
One of a kind side cover.... try buying one of these!
Side shot of the engine, this is the original layout of the z1000G featuring a MkII motor.
Close up of the injectors which mount directly into the port injected head.
The unusual location of fuel filter... note that the fuel lines are not high pressure on the tank side of the pump.
Unlike later model motorcycles, the DFI/EFI controller is mounted inside the seat.. not sure of good this idea is, but as there is no tail piece (duck tail) then it has to go somewhere?
Under seat detail. Air filter is most unusual as it is round and the lid is part of the air filter (unless it has rusted solid). When I get my parts manual this week I can check this.
The rust on this bike is everywhere but it appears to be surface rust only, the frame appears straight and intact. Fluid is missing from the rear master cyclinder.
