Post Listing Update: This Z1 did not meet reserve despite 11 bids up to $8,003.
Just like Honda has its CB750, BMW has its GS, and Suzuki has its GSX-R, Kawasaki has the Z1. Every big motorcycle manufacturer has been shaped by their capability to innovate and to create some bikes that changed the market forever. While still in the era of 3-cylinder 2-strokes, (the H2 was sold from 1971 to 1975), Kawasaki pursued its will to create the fastest bike at the time and launched the 903cc Z1 in 1972.
Kawasaki wanted to one-up Honda’s CB750, which was at the top of the sport bike market since 1969. The challenge for Kawasaki was simple, they had to create a comfortable, good looking, and fast motorcycle – at least faster and more powerful than the CB750. The story was that at the end of the 60’s, Kawasaki was already working on a 750cc 4-cylinder engine under the codename of “New York Steak”, but Honda was faster to market. In order to counterattack< Kawasaki went bigger, up to 903cc. After a few years of testing, when released, the Z1 was an immediate success. Some say Kawasaki employees couldn’t even get one for themselves. In no time, the Kawasaki’s public image switched from the H2 to the Z1. In the end, the motor developed 82hp and was able to take the 507 pound bike up to a top speed of 135mph. Take a look at Motorcyclist for more information about the Z1 and why it was one of the “Great Bikes of the 70s”.
The Z1 presented here (VIN: Z1F-36440) is claimed to have a frame matching the engine, which is very probable due to the closeness of the frame number and the engine number. The bike has been partly restored and is said to be running perfectly. New exhaust and shocks have been put on the bike during the restoration.
Find this Kawasaki Z1 in Keller, Texas with bidding up to $4,750 and the reserve not yet met or a BIN of $15,000