1978 Z1R Black Molly

Hello everyone, I'm a new member. Ron, 75, Tulsa, OK. My first street bike was a new 1973 Z1900, $2195.00 Next came a new 1977 KZ1000, $2495. Crashed and totaled that one running from the Highway Patrol.
I was 28, young and stupid! Then when the 1978 Z1R debuted, I was very excited to see it up close. I went to the showroom and I didn't like the silver paint. To me, it made it look boxy and squared off. I was disappointed, didn't buy it. Didn't ride for a time and then when the 1980 models came out I went back to the showroom. When I walked in, a new 1978 Z1R was in the middle of the showroom floor. It had a striking 
different paint job, black with three multi-color stripes. I bought it on the spot, $2995! Fast forward to today, I still have it!! First some numbers...VIN # KZT00D006179  Engine # KZT00DE 006190 On the original title there is no information box for color but black is shown as the color on the registration. Odometer reading, 28,563. Took it to the dragstrip twice in the early 80s, a best of 12.01 in stock form. That was many years and 65lbs ago! It is in what I would call a "condition 2" and is all original except for, a 4 into 1 exhaust, new MK34mm carbs, and aftermarket rear shocks. I have the original 28mm carbs, but not the exhaust. I just within the last couple of weeks became aware of the story behind the "Black Molly". I can't believe I have had this bike 45yrs next month and have never heard that term. It was a very interesting read. And, there's this...the bike has the Black Molly Paint...but it does not have the "Turbo TC" lettering...and...it does not and never has had...a Turbo!!  Any thoughts of what I've got? it's in the shop now for 3 gasket replacements, I will send some pics when I get it back. Shop's had it for 3mo!!! 
Thanks to all for you time!!
Ron Tulsa
 

wrote:

And, there's this...the bike has the Black Molly Paint...but it does not have the "Turbo TC" lettering...and...it does not and never has had...a Turbo!!  Any thoughts of what I've got? 


 

You should post some pictures.  It's fantastic that you've owned it since new.  Some period pictures would be especially fun.

Based on the numbers, you have a 1978 KZ1000-D1 Z1R, which is what you thought it was.  My own research indicates that the highest frame serial numbers imported into the US was around 8000 to 9000.  So you have a later US production bike.  I'm guessing your head tube is stamped with a manufacture date of 11/77?

From what I've read, the '78 Z1R did not sell very well, and there were a lot of bikes left over after 1978.  That's part of the reason that a bunch of them were sent off to ATP and modified with Turbo kits and then resold as the Z1R-TC.  They had plenty of dealer stock that they were happy to move.

My guess is that some sales manager, who had a 1978 model still sitting on the floor in 1980, had the clever idea of having the bike repainted in the TC Molly colors as a way to dress it up.  Plus, the 1980 model was black so maybe repainting it would cause some folks would mistake it for the 1980, so wouldn't notice that it was a 2 year old model.  Just a guess.

Also, most sources say there were 500 Z1R-TC bikes converted, and that the first half retained the stardust silver paint, while the second half got the black molly paint.  It's always possible that the dealer actually did sell a Z1R-TC at some point, but the buyer asked to swap the black molly painted parts with the stardust silver parts.  Always possible, especially if the two bikes were sitting next to each other on the floor.

 

Welcome from Massachusetts.  Cool history, thanks for sharing.  Lots of other nuts  Z1 and KZ enthusiasts here...

Welcome from the UK

Ron sent me some pics of his 1978 Z1R Black Molly.
Enjoy:

Very very nice...you are a lucky man!