| Kawasaki Z1 (From the archives of Jason Van Slyke) www.ixpres.com/jvanslyke/kawi/kawi.html |
1973
This bike was introduced to the press in '72 and took honors as the
fastest production bike in the world. This was the meanest bike
around and was "King of the Road" for several years. It originally
came in rootbeer and orange (as shown) and is the most
"collectable" color scheme. The engine is easily distinguishable, as
this and the '74 model are the only years with the black engine
block. This engine lived on in various forms until the '85 GPZ1100.
This bike created the stereotype of Kawis having too much
horsepower for too little chassis.
This bike was introduced to the press in '72 and took honors as the
fastest production bike in the world. This was the meanest bike
around and was "King of the Road" for several years. It originally
came in rootbeer and orange (as shown) and is the most
"collectable" color scheme. The engine is easily distinguishable, as
this and the '74 model are the only years with the black engine
block. This engine lived on in various forms until the '85 GPZ1100.
This bike created the stereotype of Kawis having too much
horsepower for too little chassis.
Kawasaki frames would be willowy until the late 80s, and my Z1-B would flex about a half inch (my guess) when going
around corners in spirited riding.
Air-cooled 4 cylinder DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder
903cc
82PS/8500 rpm
7.5kg-m/7000 rpm
506 lbs.
around corners in spirited riding.
Air-cooled 4 cylinder DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder
903cc
82PS/8500 rpm
7.5kg-m/7000 rpm
506 lbs.
1974
Block is aluminum colored and trim has a new paint scheme
(JPEG is b/w).
Block is aluminum colored and trim has a new paint scheme
(JPEG is b/w).
1975
Tail section stripes now wrap around and nearly touch at the rear
(instead of being straight;) new color schemes added. Emblem
changes, and last year for the pressed tank (if you look at the
bottom of the tank you will see the seam is more than 2" inside of
the outer lip; newer gas tank seams are closer to the edge.)
Tail section stripes now wrap around and nearly touch at the rear
(instead of being straight;) new color schemes added. Emblem
changes, and last year for the pressed tank (if you look at the
bottom of the tank you will see the seam is more than 2" inside of
the outer lip; newer gas tank seams are closer to the edge.)
1976
Changes: name to Z900, triple clamps, fuel tank, tail section, rear
light, smaller 26mm carbs, exhaust baffles, optional dual front discs
for North America. Idiot light cluster now between gauges. Locking
gas cap mandated by US government.
Changes: name to Z900, triple clamps, fuel tank, tail section, rear
light, smaller 26mm carbs, exhaust baffles, optional dual front discs
for North America. Idiot light cluster now between gauges. Locking
gas cap mandated by US government.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |