Kawasaki Z Owners Queensland
Z1 HISTORY & VIDEOS
KAWASAKI Z1 1972 - 1973
Candy Brown/Orange
THE JAFFA
Candy Green/Yellow
THE PINEAPPLE
KAWASAKI Z1A 1974
Candy Tone
Brown / Orange
Candy Tone
Green / Yellow
KAWASAKI Z1B 1975
Candy Tone Blue
Candy Super Red
KAWASAKI Z900 A4 1976
Diamond Dark Green
Diamond Brown
The first Z900?s came out in the USA in the May of 1972 known as the ?New York steak?. The Z1 were officially out in the UK in 1972-73 and had a distinct black engine, it came in candy brown/orange or candy green/yellow, in 1974 it was known as the Z1A came in the same colours with a different style but now with a silver finished engine, in 1975 the Z1B was produced and was very similar to the Z1A apart from a colour change, it was candy super blue or candy super red and lastly in 1976 the Z900A4 was produced which came out in diamond green or diamond brown but with a braking upgrade as it had twin disks up front, the earlier models all had the lugs on the forks, the twin disk was an expensive option, all variations had a drum rear brakes and this was the end of the run before the Z1000A1 was produced this came out with rear disk brake, twin disks up front and the exhaust was changed from a 4 into 4, to a 4 into 2.
Kawasaki Z1 900 1972/1973
Engine numbers Z1E-000001 to 019999
Frame numbers Z1F-000001 to 019999
Colours
Orange/Brown
Yellow/ green
Kawasaki Z1A 900 1974
Engine numbers Z1E-020001 to 047497
Frame numbers Z1F-020001 to 047499
Colours
Brown with red stripes
Green with yellow strips
Kawasaki Z1B 900 1975
Engine numbers Z1E-047500 to 085847
Frame numbers Z1F-047500 to 085648
Colours
Super blue with gold stripes
Super red with gold stripes
Kawasaki Z900 1976
Engine numbers Z1E-086001 to 0139146
Frame numbers Z1F-085701 to 0138846
Colours
Diamond Dark Green with green and gold stripes
Diamond Brown with orange and gold stripes
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Also called Kawasaki 900 Super Four
Production 1972–1975; 85,000 units (est.)
Successor Kawasaki Z900
Class Standard
Engine DOHC 903 cm3 (55.1 cu in) air-cooled, inline-four
Bore / stroke 66 mm × 66 mm (2.6 in × 2.6 in)
Top speed 130–132 mph (209–212 km/h)
Power 82 PS (81 hp) at 8500 rpm
Torque 54.2 lbâ‹…ft (73.5 Nâ‹…m) at 8500 rpm
Ignition type Battery
Transmission 5-speed
Frame type Full duplex cradle
Suspension F: Telescopic, R: Swing arm
Brakes Front 11.5 in (290 mm) disk (optional 2nd disk)
Brakes Rear 7.9 in (200 mm) drum
Tires Front 3.25-19
Tires Rear 4.00-18
Wheelbase 1,490 mm (59 in)
Dimensions L: 2,200 mm (87 in) W: 685 mm (27.0 in) H: 1,170 mm (46 in)
Weight 510 lb (230 kg) (dry) 542 lb (246 kg) (wet)
Fuel capacity 18 L (4.0 imp gal; 4.8 US gal)
Kawasaki Z1000
Diamond Wine Red
Diamond Sky Blue
As the Kawasaki Z900 was starting to gain competition in the form of bigger motorcycles, Kawasaki had no option but to increase the capacity of the big four from 903cc to 1015cc. This was achieved by increasing the bore of the cylinders from 66mm to 70mm. Many enthusiasts mourned the passing of the original Z1 style motorcycles when Kawasaki increased the engine size from 903cc to 1015cc. Maybe it was the end of the glorious four into four exhaust system that did it, however the 1015cc motor was basically a progression of the same unit so these motorcycles are included in this website.
Z1000
The first Z1000, known as the Z1000-A1, was introduced in 1977. It had a four into two exhaust system as standard. This was obviously cheaper for Kawasaki to produce than the four into four system used on the Z1-Z900 series. The Z1000-A1 retained the 26mm Mikuni carburetors, however, the increase in capacity enabled the engine to produce 83 bhp. The Z1000-A1 was available in Diamond Wine Red or Diamond Sky Blue, both with Gold pin striping. As with the Z900, the Z1000 had twin front disc brakes. The Z1000 had a rear disc brake in place of the drum brake that had been fitted to all of the 903cc variants. This was not always the better option. In the wet, the older style drum brake offered more confidence to the rider. The Z1000-A2, introduced in 1978, had the front brake callipers mounted behind the fork legs. The A2 was available in Luminous Green or Luminous Red, both with Gold stripes. U.S. models were also available in Black with Gold stripes. The instruments on the Z1000-A1 and A2 were the same as those on the Z900. The hazard warning light switch was redesigned and incorporated into the left handlebar switch unit.
Kawasaki Z1000 1977 -A1
Engine numbers KZT00AE-000001
Frame numbers KZT00A-000001
Colours
Diamond Wine Red with gold stripes
Diamond Sky Blue with gold stripes
Kawasaki Z1000 1978 – A2
Engine numbers KZT00AE-042501
Frame numbers KZT00A-027501
Colours
Luminous Green with gold stripes
Luminous Red with gold stripes
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Displacement: 1015.00 ccm (61.94 cubic inches)
Engine type: In-line four, four-stroke
Power: 85.00 HP (62.0 kW)) @ 8000 RPM
Top speed: 210.0 km/h (130.5 mph)
Compression: 8.7:1
Bore x stroke: 70.0 x 66.0 mm (2.8 x 2.6 inches)
Valves per cylinder: 2
Fuel control: DOHC
Cooling system: Air
Gearbox: 5-speed
Transmission type,final drive: Chain
Chassis, suspension, brakes and wheels
Front Tyre dimensions: 3.25-19
Rear Tyre dimensions: 4.00-18
Front brakes: Dual disc
Rear brakes: Single disc
Physical measures and capacities
Weight incl. oil, gas, etc: 256.0 kg (564.4 pounds)
Fuel capacity: 18 L (4.0 imp gal; 4.8 US gal)
Kawasaki Z1- R
Metallic Stardust Silver
D1
Metallic Stardust Silver
D1
The Kawasaki Z1000S was made by Kawasaki Germany in 1979 .The most noticeable differences between the Z1000S and Z1-R being the four into four exhaust, the 24 liter touring fuel tank, and the Z1000S bespoke badges.
The Z1000S kit was then offered to German Kawasaki dealers to retrofit onto customer bikes, however only 200-250 kits were distributed
Black and Orange
TC Turbo D1
The Z1R-TC idea was the brainchild of former Kawasaki executive Alan Masek. Masek had big plans for his newly-formed Turbo Cycle Company
200 to 250 were produced.
1978 Kawasaki Z1R-TC
Claimed power: 130hp @ 8,500rpm
Top speed: 135mph (period test)
Engine: 1,016cc air-cooled turbocharged DOHC inline four, 70mm x 66mm bore and stroke, 8.7:1 compression ratio
Weight (wet): 560lb (255kg)
Fuel capacity/MPG: 3.4gal (12.9ltr)/35-45mpg (est.)
Ebony Black
Luminous Dark Red.
Only 299 D2's made
Ebony Black
D3
In 1978, Kawasaki introduced the first Japanese custom 'cafe racer' Z1000-D1, better known as the Z1-R. This was a factory customised motorcycle featuring a small handlebar fairing, cast alloy wheels the front wheel was reduced to an eighteen inch one and a four into one exhaust system. The Z1-R had twin drilled disc brakes up front with a single drilled disc at the rear. It was the first of the Kawasaki’s to feature the new angular look. The Z1-R was finished in a light metallic blue described by Kawasaki as Metallic Stardust Silver. The kick-start pedal was considered redundant and fitted as an emergency measure under the seat. The front mudguard was also finished in this colour. The engine of the Z1-R was finished in black and was very similar to the early Z1. A return to 28mm carburetors enabled a power increase to 90 bhp making this the most powerful Z yet. The Kawasaki marketing team listened to dealer feedback and produced a larger 20-litre fuel tank and a sintered metal brake kit to compliment the Z1-R. In 1979, the Z1000-D2 was introduced. This was basically a MkII engined version of the Z1-R and featured a four into two exhaust and a nineteen inch front wheel. It was available in Ebony or Luminous Dark Red. The model was continued into 1980 as the Z1000-D3 when it was only available in Ebony.
Kawasaki Z1-R 1978 -D1
Engine numbers KZT00DE-000001 to 017412
Frame numbers KZT00D-000001 to 017392
Colours
Metallic Stardust Silver with Blue and Black stripes
Kawasaki Z1-R 1979 -D2 (rare)
Engine numbers KZT00DE-017501 to 017615
Frame numbers KZT00D-017501 to 017800
Kawasaki Z1-R 1980 -D3
Engine numbers KZT00DE-017616 to 021069
Frame numbers KZT00D-017801 to 021109
Made Model Kawasaki Z 1000 Z1R
Year 1978 – 79
Engine Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 2 Valve per cylinder.
Capacity 1015 cc / 61.9 cu-in
Bore x Stroke 69.4 x 66 mm
Cooling System Air cooled
Compression Ratio 8.7:1
Lubrication Wet sump
Induction 4x Mikuni VM28SS carbs
Ignition Battery & coil ignition
Spark Plugs NGK B8ES
Battery 12V 14AH YB-14L-A2.7
Starting Electric
Max Power 94 hp / 70.0 kW @ 8000 rpm
Max Torque 62.9 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm
Clutch Wet multiplate
Transmission 5 Speed
Final Drive Chain
Gear Ratio 1st 3.17 (38/12) 2nd 2.19 (35/16) 3rd 1.67 (35/21) 4th 1.38 (29/21) 5th 1.22
Frame Double tubular steel cradle
Front Suspension 36mm Telescopic hydraulics forks
Rear Suspension Dual chocks, swinging arm
Front Brakes 2x 296mm discs
Rear Brakes Single 290mm disc
Front Tyre 3.50-18
Rear Tyre 4.00-18
Dimensions Length 2160mm / 85.0, Width 800mm / 31.4 in, Height 1295mm / 50.9 in
Wheelbase 1505 mm / 59.2
Seat Height 815mm / 21.0 in
Ground Clearance 125 mm / 4.9 in
Dry Weight 246 kg / 542.3 lbs
Fuel Capacity 13 Litres / 3.4 US gal. Optional 20 Litres / 5.3 US gal
Consumption Average 5.47 lt per 100 klm / 43 mpg
Standing ¼ mile 11.9 sec / 176 km
Top Speed 220 km//h / 136.7 mph
KAWASAKI Z900 RELATED VIDEOS.
KAWASAKI Z900 RELATED VIDEOS.
The Videos are of 70's super 8 film sound and quality. Historic value.
1973 Z1 DAYTONA RECORDS VIDEO. SO FAR SO FAST
KAWASAKI Z1 ENGINE MAINTENANCE TRAINING VIDEO.
Z1 900 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TRAINING VIDEO.
Z1 ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND REASSEMBLY TRAINING VIDEO.
Z1 900 FRAME WHEELS AND FRONT FORKS TRAINING VIDEO.
Two Wheels Magazine Article - November, 1972
Here for the first time in the world, TWO WHEELS presents the full details, first pictures and specifications of Kawasaki’s super sports tourer…. SUPER 4 900 Power Sensation!