In a 1978 review of the Z1-R, Cycle Guide described it as such: “The bike has enough raw horsepower to be truly impressive on the straights, but the first rule of handling for a 90hp motorcycle is to give it a 90hp chassis, and that is something the Z1-R doesn’t have.” It was fast, it had distinctive styling, and it was Kawasaki’s flagship.
The Z1-R was the brainchild of Wayne Moulton, known as the “Father of the Japanese Cruiser.” His belief was that a solid motorcycle could be moderately tweaked to form four versions, one of which is a sport-tourer. The sport-tourer concept that Moulton introduced to this bike included a smaller front wheel, and the cockpit fairing. Possibly due to the fact that the changes did not include extra horsepower, this bike was a commercial flop – some reports claim only 500 were sold over 3 years, but it’s become a cult classic since. For more on the Z1-R, check out this story on Motorcycle Classics.
This example (VIN: KZT00D000767) is said to have been restored to “showroom quality…we made sure that all parts are 100% period correct to 1978 Kawasaki Z1-R specifications, right down to period correct tires and every nut and bolt.” The listing goes into great detail about the work that was performed, and the seller says that it’s ready to ride.
Find this Z1-R for sale in Seattle, Washington with bidding up to $19,900 and the reserve met here on eBay.