Originally destined to be a 750, the Z1 was beaten to the market place by the HONDA CB750 in 1968. Kawasaki engineers, horrified at this well kept secret launch, returned to the drawing board and redesigned the bike to be bigger and better. In late 1972 the Z1 was introduced to the world and instantly became a best seller.
EARLY PROTOTYPE MODELS CIRCA 1971
The 750 Z2 followed a few months later mainly sold in the Japanese home market, due to their agreed 750cc limit. The Z1 went on to become the basis of most of Kawasaki's models for many more years, changing the face of motorcycling forever. Never before had the average man had the chance to own the fastest, biggest, most technically advanced motorcycle in the world for so little money. The true age of affordable SUPERBIKES had arrived.
1972-1973 Z1-900
FRAME NUMBER: Z1F-000001 >
ENGINE NUMBER: Z1E-000001 >
COLOUR: CANDY ORANGE/BROWN OR CANDY YELLOW/GREEN FOUR CYLINDER, FOUR STROKE, FOUR EXHAUSTS, FOUR CARBS, DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAMSHAFT, FIVE SPEED GEARBOX, 903 CC PRODUCING 82 BHP
This was the first of the Z-range, the first true SUPERBIKE of the seventies. The biggest and best ever motorcycle that the Japanese had produced. THE KING OF THE ROAD.
1974 Z1-A
FRAME NUMBER: Z1F-020001 >
ENGINE NUMBER: Z1E-020001 >
COLOUR: CANDYTONE BROWN/ORANGE OR CANDYTONE GREEN/YELLOW
Major changes for this model were the silver engine finish, redesigned tank and tailpiece markings and a stop lamp failure light in the tachometer. The idiot light cover was also changed, the warning lights were now placed in a different order. The best gets better.
1975 Z1-B
FRAME NUMBER: Z1F-047500 >
ENGINE NUMBER: Z1E- 047500 >
COLOUR: CANDY SUPER BLUE OR CANDY SUPER RED
Major changes for this model were paintwork and markings, larger side panel badges and the adoption of an 'O' ring chain instead of the previous built in chain oiler. The switchgear was slightly cosmetically changed and the Speedo was now in 20-mph increments. The fuel tap was changed from black to silver and the carbs were modified to improve performance.
1976 Z900-A4
FRAME NUMBER: Z1F-085701 >
ENGINE NUMBER: Z1E-086001 >
COLOUR: DIAMOND DARK GREEN OR DIAMOND BROWN
Major changes for this model included colour and marking, different side panels and badges, airbox, twin front brakes, locking fuel cap, three way fuse system, hazard warning lights, audible flasher indicator, square tail light, improved instrument cluster and a change to smaller 26 mm carbs. Power was down to 81 bhp but the Z900 was a much better bike to ride. A few extra models
rolled off the American production line in Lincoln in 1977 known as the KZ900-A5.
1976 KZ900-B1 LTD
FRAME NUMBER: KZ900B-500011 >
ENGINE NUMBER: Z1E- 108503 >
COLOUR: CLASSIC RED
This was the first Japanese custom cruiser. Assembled in the states in limited numbers for the disconcerting motorcyclist. An abundance of chrome and bolt on goodies made this Kawasaki a 'RICE BURNER WITH ATTITUDE'. The rear wheel was a fat sixteen-inch item.
1977 Z1000-A1
FRAME NUMBER: KZT00A-000001 >
ENGINE NUMBER: KZT00AE-000001 >
COLOUR: DIAMOND WINE RED OR DIAMOND SKY BLUE
This was the natural successor to the 900 range. Bored out to 1015 cc and producing 83 bhp, the biggest difference to the Z1 was the four into two exhaust system and the use of a disc brake at the rear instead of the previous drum brake. "The king is dead, long live the king!'
1978 Z1000-A2
FRAME NUMBER: KZT00A-027501 >
ENGINE NUMBER: KZT00AE-042501 >
COLOUR: LUMINOUS GREEN OR LUMINOUS RED
Major changes to the A2 were paint and decals, the repositioning of the front brake calipers to behind the fork leg and the use of lower handlebars on the UK model. The front brake master cylinder was changed from round to triangular and a diaphragm fuel tap was used for the first time on a Z. The United States got another colour option of black/gold and a special edition model, in white and fitted out with a fairing and panniers called the A2A to commemorate the Americanisation of Kawasaki.
1978 Z1000-D1 Z1R
FRAME NUMBER: KZT00D-000001 >
ENGINE NUMBER: KZT00DE-000001 >
COLOUR: METALLIC STARDUST SILVER.
The Z1R was the first Japanese custom 'cafe racer'. The angular styling was not to everybody's taste. Major changes were the four into one exhaust, a cockpit fairing, solid wheels, drilled discs and self-cancelling indicators. The front wheel was reduced to an eighteen inch one and the engine was once again painted in black. The kick-start pedal was considered redundant and fitted as an emergency measure under the seat. A move back to 28-mm carbs increased the power to 90 bhp making this the most powerful Z yet. Poor sales resulted in Kawasaki producing a larger 20-litre fuel tank and a sintered metal brake kit in an effort to increase sales. UK dealers were still selling this model four years later!
1979 Z1000-D2 Z1R
FRAME NUMBER: KZT00D-017501 >
ENGINE NUMBER: KZT00DE-017501 >
COLOUR: EBONY OR LUMINOUS DARK RED
For 1979 the Z1R was fitted with the MK11 engine and all it's improvements. A four into two exhaust system was fitted and there was a move back to a nineteen inch front wheel. It was known as the Z1R-II but was not sold in the UK due to poor sales of the D1. Power was up to 94 bhp.
1980 Z1000-D3 Z1R
FRAME NUMBER: KZT00D-017801 >
ENGINE NUMBER: KZTOODE-017616 >
COLOUR: EBONY
The only changes worth while mentioning on this model was the graphics and side panel badges. The UK still went without this bike.
1979/1980 Z1000-A3/A4 MKII
FRAME NUMBER: KZT00A-038427 >
ENGINE NUMBER: KZT00AE-081566 >
COLOUR: LUMINOUS NAVY BLUE OR LUMINOUS DARK RED
The MKII was modified greatly from the previous models in all departments. Power was up to 93 bhp, helped by the return to 28-mm carbs and the use of transistorised ignition. Modified exhaust and angular bodywork give the MKII a completely different look. The traditional round cam end covers was changed to a square design and the motor was once again finished in black. A class act but not everybody's favourite.
1979/1980 Z1000-E1/E2 ST
FRAME NUMBER:KZT00E-000101 >
ENGINE NUMBER: KZT00EE-000101 >
COLOUR: LUMINOUS DARK RED OR LUMINOUS GREEN
The E-models or ST (SHAFT TRANSMISSION) was Kawasaki's first shaftie. It was basically a MKII with minor modifications including tubeless tyres, a fuel gauge, thicker leading axle forks and a larger fuel tank. Basically maintenance free Kawasaki. It should have sold well, unfortunately it didn't. The United States got an extra colour option, black pearl.
The E2 enjoyed the same differences as the A4 MKII. Remote rear brake reservoir and quartz-halogen headlamp. The United States got another colour option, luminous dark red. Kawasaki produced a full touring kit for this model, courtesy of the American VETTER Company.
1977-1980 KZ1000-B1-B4 LTD
FRAME NUMBERS: KZT00B-500015 >
ENGINE NUMBERS: KZT00AE-010006 >
The KZ1000 LTD was available in the states from '77-'80 in various colours including black, blue and red. Sharing much of the same modifications as the original KZ900 LTD did. The B3 and B4 models were fitted with the MKII engines but finished in silver instead of black. Imports into the UK have made this once rare bike a popular sight.
78 kZ1000
79 KZ1000 Ltd turbo
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