1974 Kawasaki Z1

There are some really legendary models in motorcycling history that are able to be identified without regard to make or even year. Bonneville. CB750. H2. There are many others, but there is no doubt that the Z1 fits in that group.

Kwak’s first foray into the four cylinder four stroke world was a 750 CC model that was ambushed by the CB750 in 1968. Kawasaki cancelled the 750 without releasing it and spent the next four year designing and engineering the Z1. It was worth the wait, for a bike that is often called the world’s first superbike.

Yeah. It was fast. The motor was sturdy, particularly on the bottom. There was originally a tendency of the motor to spit out valve shims under hard revs which made a mess of the valve train. The serious weakness of the Z1 was the frame which was essentially the H2 triple frame that was under qualified for that motor. Adding 20 HP didn’t make the frame better.

The 1974 Kawasaki Z1 used a 903 CC air cooled dual overhead cam inline four cylinder motor that made 80 HP in a 520 LB bike with a 5 speed transmission. A single front disc with a drum rear brake, telescopic front suspension, twin shock rear suspension with a dual cradle frame rounded out the bike.

This particular 1974 Kawasaki Z1 (VIN# Z1F 34666) is at a dealer in Lancaster, Texas and is listed as a 22,639 mile original survivor. There are a couple of obvious deficiencies, but parts are common. The original tool kit is part of the sale. The bike is currently bid at $5,600.00 with reserve not met