TOPIC:

I took delivery of my brand new 1973 Z1 in March of 73 and have added and removed parts throughout the years, never throwing out anything that could still be useable.  I'm in the process of refreshing my Z1 to stop oil leaks & generally clean it up while almost returning it to it's  original look.  Going through my collection of old original parts I came across this piece.


I seem to vaguely remember that it was used to assist in getting the bike up on it's center stand.  I can't for the life of me figure out how it was mounted.  I almost fits between the rear upper shock mount and the rear turn signal, but the length from hole to hole is a bit off and it would interfere slightly with the ducktail.  I think it would also interfere with the grab rail that goes around the back of the seat.  I haven't been able to find it listed in any of the parts books or online parts drawings.  I also haven't seen any pictures of Z1s online showing this piece.

Anyone out there have a clue?

One side went to the top of the shock, the other bolted to the frame... 
Could be it have belonged to another bike, from your past?

No, no other bikes.

I could not find said item on any or the parts list I have access to for the Z1. Will say from the Kawasaki site it is shown on the 1978 Z1R list www.kawasaki.com/en-us/owner-center/parts/144273/1978/KZ1000-D1 . Just what does this mean I have no idea, as we all know there are issues with the diagrams on that site that do not appear to be correct.. 

Seem common on the 650 range,  were they offered as an alternative to the full grab rail on the Z1 ??

 

OK, what about... you bought it hoping it would fit, decades ago; it never fit and now you've found it. (decades I said, knowing how "memory" works... lol) (yep, suxs gittin' ol')

Might be time to take eye-2-eye measurements and sell it on?

gd4now wrote:

I could not find said item on any or the parts list I have access to for the Z1. Will say from the Kawasaki site it is shown on the 1978 Z1R list www.kawasaki.com/en-us/owner-center/parts/144273/1978/KZ1000-D1 . Just what does this mean I have no idea, as we all know there are issues with the diagrams on that site that do not appear to be correct.. T 

That is actually a different part.  Looks like this: 
 

Certainly looks like the two Z1's I posted, do. any of our Z1 experts know if these were offered in place of the grab rail

It is not a Z1 part.  Z1 had a grab bar that ran from the top of one shock, around the back and to the top of the other shock.

The part looks like grips on my KZ650.

The part referenced by gd4now and shown by sdinse is the grab rail used on the Z1R's (one on each side).  They mount using the same holes used for the larger grab rail on Z1's, KZ900's, and KZ1000's, which is the single rail that goes around behind the seat.  The Z1R parts will bolt to the same mounting holes and replace the single grab rail.  I have fitted the Z1R parts to my Z1 for a different look.
The first photo by sdinse with the flange at both ends is the KZ650 part.

I gots a KZ650SR, wanna sell it  sdins ? PM??? ...guess I can't PM. )o:

Never saw one on a Z1, can't find any pics of one on a Z1.  We checked the pics of pre-production press intro bikes, U.S. road test 'V' bikes, and production police bikes from the U.S., New Zealand and Japan of the the '73-'75 years.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE