I had a meeting Friday concerning the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration of the Kawasaki Factory in Beautiful, Lincoln NE. It will be towards the end of October, with some open house opportunities for the public. I volunteered my services to help prepare for the event, and it looks like my role will be helping to relocate the Product Display Area's contents to a newly remodeled Front Business Entrance. After looking at the display vehicles, I was a bit disappointed that there isn't much representation from the 1970s. 2 KZ400s, one of which is a blue 1975 model which represents the 1st bike off the line in January 1975, and a baby sh#t brown "Commuter" (fairing/saddlebags) model. There are 2 1984 900 Ninjas, one with 2 miles in a display case that was #500,000 off the assembly line, and the other with 144 miles. I suggested selling, or trading the 144 mile example for a 1976 KZ900, or a 70s 900 or 1000 LTD. Even a KZ650 would be cool, one of my favorites, because my first Kawasaki was a bright red 1977 KZ650. I have 0 authorization to make any offers/deals at this point, but I thought I would ask this group if they thought such a "swap" might be feasible. I'm not even sure if the Ninja is a saleable vehicle, it may be a prototype/preproduction, I don't remember where it came from.
I will post the exact dates for the open house for those who might be interested in attending, I would love to meet some Forum members. Unfortunately the plant no longer builds motorcycles, and has changed significantly since the heyday of M.C. production, but is nonetheless an amazing facility!
Mike
Former M.E. at Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing, Lincoln, NE
1966 W1 (the Z1 of 1966-50H.P. and 100mph!)
1974 Z1
1978 KZ1000 LTD
1976 KZ900B pile O parts
1980 KZ750E
1980 Honda XL250S (I know, wrong flavor!)