Is she savable? (1999 zx-7r)

932 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by 92Ninjas, 13 d ago

j343my

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

10

I also posted this in the general discussion forum, but maybe its better off here:

Hey guys, I'm new here. I picked up this 1999 zx-7r over the weekend as a project bike. My first Kawasaki since the kx80 I had as a kid. Once I got it home and started digging through it, its a bit rougher than I thought.

It was local to me. I paid $1200 Canadian for it with ownership and an extra engine. 28,000 km on the odometer.

The good news:

no structural damage
apart from two minor dings, the tank is in great shape
full Hindle exhaust in great shape
I have all the major pieces

The ok news:

- a couple of the fairings have some minor cracks, but all are salvageable

The bad news:

the engine that's in it apparently has rod knock, hence the extra engine
despite having two headlight assemblies I think I need to get one
definitely have some missing/broken minor pieces

Here are some pics:

Tire Wheel Fuel tank Automotive fuel system Vehicle

Apparently it had swingarm extenders. Hence the long chain with multiple master links

Wheel Tire Fuel tank Automotive fuel system Automotive tire

Wheel Tire Land vehicle Vehicle Automotive tire

Backup camera???

Tire Wheel Vehicle Motor vehicle Automotive tire

Tire Automotive tire Motor vehicle Wheel Automotive lighting

Automotive tire Motor vehicle Automotive lighting Fender Gas

Wheel Tire Vehicle Automotive tire Automotive lighting

Bumper Automotive exterior Gas Personal protective equipment Art

Automotive tire Automotive lighting Motor vehicle Audio equipment Gas

Tail fairings and lower centre piece not shown.

Green Grass Motor vehicle Sleeve Personal protective equipment

I could just part her out, but I absolutely love these bikes and would like to get her back on the road. Not trying to do some sort of perfect OEM restoration, I just want something that isn't a clapped out piece of shit.

I'm definitely capable of doing it, and I don't mind a long term project. My main concern is I end up spending way more than just buying a nice example.

Well, what do you guys think? Is she worth saving?

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1 - 17 of 17 Posts

2fat2fly

· #2 · 2 mo ago

Definitely worth saving.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reactions: 3

NC Zx7

· #3 · 2 mo ago

As long as the other engine is ok, then you did well. The cosmetics are time consuming but cheep. Swapping the engine is a easy task. for the price you did well. Parts are getting a little harder to find, but these bikes can be a lot of fun. For the most part, they are easy to work on and the engines are bullet proof. (with the exception of the one dangling from your frame). Nice find.
Cheers,
Hans

Reactions: 1

Slorg442

· #4 · 2 mo ago

Worth it as a project to enjoy.

Reactions: 1

92Ninjas

· #5 · 2 mo ago

That's a hell of find just for the Hindle Exhaust IMO. Enjoy the project! Almost forgot!

Welcome to se7en ownership!

P.S.: If you ever want to part ways with that Hindle Exhaust, I'll gladly re-home it for you. I LOVE Hindle systems!

Reactions: 1

KevA

· #6 · 2 mo ago

Every 7 saved is worth the effort, She looks alot better than some I've seen and worked on

Reactions: 1

Pyke13

· #7 · 2 mo ago

Ive just dont similar with a J model zxr, bought a dog and rebuilt it. I recon by the time its finished i will have broke about even. Its cost me what its worth but ive uprated and changed a few bits along the way.
as you rebuild it you will get to know it inside out, you will know everything is done the way you want it and are happy with. Its a 20yr+ bike, if you bought one you would have to strip it to check for bodges and dodgy fixes.
its also the perfect candidate to modify, zx10r front and rear ends etc

Reactions: 1

ninjanut

· #8 · 2 mo ago

Nice find and definitely worth saving. Let me know if you need parts, I have a bit of a collection going. 2 spare motors if needed as well.

Reactions: 1

j343my

Discussion Starter · #9 · 2 mo ago

NC Zx7 said:
As long as the other engine is ok, then you did well. The cosmetics are time consuming but cheep. Swapping the engine is a easy task. for the price you did well. Parts are getting a little harder to find, but these bikes can be a lot of fun. For the most part, they are easy to work on and the engines are bullet proof. (with the exception of the one dangling from your frame). Nice find.
Cheers,
Hans

Thanks. That's what I'm thinking. I'll do the engine swap first and if everything seems to be ok, I'll proceed with the project.

92Ninjas said:
That's a hell of find just for the Hindle Exhaust IMO. Enjoy the project! Almost forgot!

Welcome to se7en ownership!

P.S.: If you ever want to part ways with that Hindle Exhaust, I'll gladly re-home it for you. I LOVE Hindle systems!

Thanks, the Hindle exhaust was a big part of what sold me on the bike.

Pyke13 said:
Ive just dont similar with a J model zxr, bought a dog and rebuilt it. I recon by the time its finished i will have broke about even. Its cost me what its worth but ive uprated and changed a few bits along the way.
as you rebuild it you will get to know it inside out, you will know everything is done the way you want it and are happy with. Its a 20yr+ bike, if you bought one you would have to strip it to check for bodges and dodgy fixes.
its also the perfect candidate to modify, zx10r front and rear ends etc

Yeah, I'll be totally happy if I break even with what a nice example would cost. I love working on bikes and I'll get it exactly how I want it and know that is was done properly.

ninjanut said:
Nice find and definitely worth saving. Let me know if you need parts, I have a bit of a collection going. 2 spare motors if needed as well.

Thanks! I will definitely take you up on that offer. I'm sure there is a bunch of little stuff I'll need.

Reactions: 1

j343my

Discussion Starter · #10 · 2 mo ago

Also, if anyone has a .pdf of a service manual they'd share with me that would be amazing. I haven't been able to fine one.

Reactions: 1

Pyke13

· #11 · 2 mo ago

j343my said:
Also, if anyone has a .pdf of a service manual they'd share with me that would be amazing. I haven't been able to fine one.

If your on facebook most of the zx7r pages has the download in its file section

Reactions: 1

j343my

Discussion Starter · #12 · 2 mo ago

Pyke13 said:
If your on facebook most of the zx7r pages has the download in its file section

Perfect, thanks. I found one there.

Reactions: 1

j343my

Discussion Starter · #13 · 17 d ago (Edited)

4

Little project update. I've been picking away at the bike and managed to make some pretty good progress:

Bad engine out:

Wheel Bicycle Tire Bicycle tire Automotive tire

Carbs completely disassembled, ultrasonic cleaned, and reassembled with all new rubber o-rings:

Motor vehicle Bicycle part Gas Auto part Machine

Good (hopefully) engine in and tidied up a bit:

Motor vehicle Automotive tire Rim Gas Engineering

Also, I have managed to track down some of the parts I need. Including this Euro projector light I found on Facebook Marketplace in Lithuania:

Automotive parking light Automotive lighting Automotive tail & brake light Hood Motor vehicle

Still a bit of work to be done before I'm ready to attempt to fire her up, but we are getting there.

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92Ninjas

· #14 · 15 d ago

j343my said:
Little project update. I've been picking away at the bike and managed to make some pretty good progress:

Bad engine out:
View attachment 24059

Carbs completely disassembled, ultrasonic cleaned, and reassembled with all new rubber o-rings:
View attachment 24060

Good (hopefully) engine in and tidied up a bit:
View attachment 24061

Also, I have managed to track down some of the parts I need. Including this Euro projector light I found on Facebook Marketplace in Lithuania:
View attachment 24062

Still a bit of work to be done before I'm ready to attempt to fire her up, but we are getting there.

Nice progress! You're past the "hard" part.

RightSaidFred

· #15 · 14 d ago

Great job, you got a good deal there I would say. If id have seen a 1999 ZX7 for $1200 Id have been all over it too

j343my

Discussion Starter · #16 · 13 d ago

2

92Ninjas said:
Nice progress! You're past the "hard" part.

RightSaidFred said:
Great job, you got a good deal there I would say. If id have seen a 1999 ZX7 for $1200 Id have been all over it too

Thanks guys!

Another quick update:

Got the bike running today:

Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Vehicle

She didn't want to start at first, but a little starter fluid got her going the first time. After that she'd fire up right away.

There is a bit more noise coming from the top end than I was expecting.

I set the idle and sync'd the carbs:

Gas Electrical wiring Wood Electric blue Wire

After running for a bit and the carb sync it quieted down a bit, but it's still a little noisy. I've never owned one of these bikes and I don't know anyone who has one so I don't exactly know what's normal. Maybe a valve adjustment is needed?

Overall quite positive I'd say. And the exhaust note from that Hindle Exhaust is 👌.

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Reactions: 3

92Ninjas

· #17 · 13 d ago (Edited)

j343my said:
Thanks guys!

Another quick update:

Got the bike running today:
View attachment 24079

She didn't want to start at first, but a little starter fluid got her going the first time. After that she'd fire up right away.

There is a bit more noise coming from the top end than I was expecting.

I set the idle and sync'd the carbs:
View attachment 24080

After running for a bit and the carb sync it quieted down a bit, but it's still a little noisy. I've never owned one of these bikes and I don't know anyone who has one so I don't exactly know what's normal. Maybe a valve adjustment is needed?

Overall quite positive I'd say. And the exhaust note from that Hindle Exhaust is 👌.

The zx7 and zx7r valve train is noisy, Mine sounds like a tractor motor/diesel motor at idle.

Hindle exhuast is 👌

Reactions: 1

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