First time restoration, questions galore

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Nobodyspecific

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So i recently decided to give myself a wonderful idea and do a complete restoration on a bike with zero experience on anything motorcycle related, its gonna be a tough but fun problem to take on but id like some helpful tips or advice on anything you guys got on where to find any parts or what i should be looking out for, the bike in question is a 1996 zl600b.

it came with no key, so my first task is to get a key for it and thats been the struggle to find so far because multiple sources are showing different keys or im having trouble just getting the ignition switch unbolted to get a key code, would it be easier to just order a entirely new ignition switch and just have the other locks be rekeyed to that? even then it difficult to find the part to replace the switch entirely,

maybe im just not looking in the right areas, but anything you guys got would be so greatly appreciated!
 

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Welcome. Cycle keys online .com can cut you a key. The helmet lock may have the # on it. You took on an ambitious project with that one, it's usually best to start with as complete a bike as possible. Keep it as cheap as you can getting it fired and ran through the gears first. Use an old mower tank for now. Did you get the story on why it was parked? Keep working on getting to that ignition.
 
so i spent some time looking at some other bikes and the only reason i went with this one specifically was that they listed it for 200$, compared to everything else this was the best one to go for, they said it was running months back and the seller was planning on using it for a go kart project, but he parted out some pieces for it and the motor was starting up before he started to take it apart. i knew it was gonna be a big project to do but i figured if i can do this from start to finish then i can take this on a roadtrip and be able to fix it on the road rather than getting something new and not knowing anything about it inside and out. thank you for the website ill have to check it out, i just dont know exactly what blank i would need to look up for it
 
:hello: Welcome to ZL-oa. I recommend buying two OEM key blanks. Sometimes the aftermarket ones are hard going in and out of the locks. When getting the blanks cut take all the locks to a locksmith and have him try the newly cut keys in all the locks. You can also have a locksmith come to your home but they will charge you a servive fee. ( https://www.partzilla.com/product/k...65f71e8eae46a313f824efe2&titan_sku=27008-1173 ) ( https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motorcycle/1996/eliminator-600-zl600-b2 )20260529_063514~3[1].jpg20260529_070024~3[1].jpg
 
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If you can trailer it to a locksmith they could make a key for the ignition.
 
not really sure on what my budget would be really, this is my semi long term project so really ill be buying stuff i need throughout the year and have it be finished whenever i get it finished, i intend on doing a whole new paint job on it so really i will be spending a good chunk of time just making sure i have everything the way i want before painting it all. and not to mention attempting to concept and work on adding some custom parts to it to make it a unique version of this bike.
 
Get your 8/10/12mm sockets and wrenches ready. Take the headlight off and pop that ignition off, the fasteners are underneath. Take it to the locksmith or order keys online. Get it running for as little $ as possible to see if it actually runs and rides. There are some people here that know what they are doing and can offer you the insight you can use. Get a quality DIN screwdriver similar to a #2 but rest assured they are different.
 
Get yourself a small tube of Die-electric grease and every electrical connection gets a little dose and plug, unplug a couple times to clean and protect the connection.
Take documented photo's of everything that you do!
 
all the wires in the whole assembly are all electrical taped together, any insight on either trying to manually redo wire assemblies or going about just ordering the assembly itself, cuz i notice from looking at parts(specifically tachometer/speedometer) some or most of them arent compatible, would it be a good idea to rewire one to have it work? cuz im assuming the reason they arent compatible are just connectors mostly.
 
Show some pictures of the wiring, factory wrapped the wires with tape.

I respectfully disagree with wuputt, dielectric grease should not be used on the electrical connectors themselves, it actually inhibits the flow of electricity, it is non conductive. Proper use is on spark plug boots and plastic plugs that contain the connectors to seal from moisture. Keep it away from the actual pin or spade connectors.
 
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