#japanese kz1000

[bondshotel]

Kawasaki Z1 production began in 1972 as the most powerful Japanese 4-cylinder 4-stroke ever marketed.

The Kawasaki Z1 is a four-cylinder, air-cooled, double-overhead camshaft, carbureted, chain-drive motorcycle introduced in 1972 by Kawasaki. Following the introduction of Honda's CB750 in 1968, the Z1 helped popularize the in-line, across-the-frame four-cylinder, a format that became known as the Universal Japanese Motorcycle or UJM.

ManufacturerKawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.Also calledKawasaki 900 Super Four Production1972–1975; 85,000 units. Marketed variously as the Z1-900, 900 Z1 or 900 S4 ("Super Four"), the Z1 was the first of Kawasaki's Z models.

The Z1 was noted for being the first large-capacity Japanese four-cylinder motorcycle to use the double-overhead-camshaft system on a production motorcycle. When it was introduced, only the MV Agusta 750 S used this system; it was a very expensive limited-production machine, as opposed to the Kawasaki which was less than half the price.

The Kawasaki Z1 was developed under the project name "New York Steak".In the late 1960s Kawasaki, already an established manufacturer of two-stroke motorcycles, had begun prototyping a 750 cc four-cylinder four-stroke sports motorcycle working with McFarlane Design in 1969 to develop the bike's overall appearance. When Honda introduced the CB750 to the market first, Kawasaki postponed the Z1's release until its displacement could be increased to 903 cc and the motorcycle could be marketed in the 1000cc-class.

In 1972, the Z1 set the world FIM and AMA record for 24-hour endurance on the banked Daytona racetrack, recording 2,631 miles at an average speed of 109.64 mph. Writing in 1976, LJK Setright commented that this record was only 0.36% faster than the previous figure set in 1961 at Montlhéry, France, by a team using a modified BMW R69S, particularly the engine. Also at this time at Daytona a one-off Z1 ridden by Yvon Duhamel that was tuned by Yoshimura set a one-lap record of 160.288 mph.

The Z1 was awarded the MCN 'Machine of the Year' accolade each year from 1973 to 1976 (an award resulting from a readers' opinion-poll run by UK weekly publication Motorcycle News) The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan (in Japanese) includes the 1972 Z1 as one of their 240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology.

The basic design of the Z1 remained relatively unchanged until 1975, when the 903 cc "Z1-B" was introduced, with changes including increased power output, improved suspension, and a stiffer frame. The automatic chain oiler was deleted, the styling was revised – essentially paint scheme and side-panel nomenclature – and the braking was improved.

In 1976 the Z1 was replaced by the Kawasaki KZ900 in the U.S. and Z900 in other markets. This was succeeded by the 1977 Kawasaki Kz1000 ("Z1000") and Kawasaki Z1000 Z1-R, and in 1984 by the Kawasaki Z1100R.

[wheelscomedyandmore]

Kawasaki Z1 production began in 1972 as the most powerful Japanese 4-cylinder 4-stroke ever marketed.

The Kawasaki Z1 is a four-cylinder, air-cooled, double-overhead camshaft, carbureted, chain-drive motorcycle introduced in 1972 by Kawasaki. Following the introduction of Honda's CB750 in 1968, the Z1 helped popularize the in-line, across-the-frame four-cylinder, a format that became known as the Universal Japanese Motorcycle or UJM.

ManufacturerKawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.Also calledKawasaki 900 Super Four Production1972–1975; 85,000 units. Marketed variously as the Z1-900, 900 Z1 or 900 S4 ("Super Four"), the Z1 was the first of Kawasaki's Z models.

The Z1 was noted for being the first large-capacity Japanese four-cylinder motorcycle to use the double-overhead-camshaft system on a production motorcycle. When it was introduced, only the MV Agusta 750 S used this system; it was a very expensive limited-production machine, as opposed to the Kawasaki which was less than half the price.

The Kawasaki Z1 was developed under the project name "New York Steak".In the late 1960s Kawasaki, already an established manufacturer of two-stroke motorcycles, had begun prototyping a 750 cc four-cylinder four-stroke sports motorcycle working with McFarlane Design in 1969 to develop the bike's overall appearance. When Honda introduced the CB750 to the market first, Kawasaki postponed the Z1's release until its displacement could be increased to 903 cc and the motorcycle could be marketed in the 1000cc-class.

In 1972, the Z1 set the world FIM and AMA record for 24-hour endurance on the banked Daytona racetrack, recording 2,631 miles at an average speed of 109.64 mph. Writing in 1976, LJK Setright commented that this record was only 0.36% faster than the previous figure set in 1961 at Montlhéry, France, by a team using a modified BMW R69S, particularly the engine. Also at this time at Daytona a one-off Z1 ridden by Yvon Duhamel that was tuned by Yoshimura set a one-lap record of 160.288 mph.

The Z1 was awarded the MCN 'Machine of the Year' accolade each year from 1973 to 1976 (an award resulting from a readers' opinion-poll run by UK weekly publication Motorcycle News) The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan (in Japanese) includes the 1972 Z1 as one of their 240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology.

The basic design of the Z1 remained relatively unchanged until 1975, when the 903 cc "Z1-B" was introduced, with changes including increased power output, improved suspension, and a stiffer frame. The automatic chain oiler was deleted, the styling was revised – essentially paint scheme and side-panel nomenclature – and the braking was improved.

In 1976 the Z1 was replaced by the Kawasaki KZ900 in the U.S. and Z900 in other markets. This was succeeded by the 1977 Kawasaki Kz1000 ("Z1000") and Kawasaki Z1000 Z1-R, and in 1984 by the Kawasaki Z1100R. See less

Comments

Marnic Bert

Had one.

10w

Reply

John Wharton

One of the best looking bikes ever built. Still looks beautiful today.

[wetsteve3]

CUTTING EDGE DESIGN In the early 1980s, at the height of sci-fi madness with the likes of Star Wars at the peak of their popularity, Suzuki introduced the groundbreaking GSX1100S “Katana”. The model completely broke the traditional look of motorcycles and was the first Japanese bike with an aerodynamic, frame-mounted fairing and proper racing clip-on bars. The Katana was flagged by Suzuki as the ‘World’s Fastest Motorcycle’ so not only did the Katana have the show but it also had the go. 

Suzuki was worried the public were getting bored of generic Japanese designs and so they wanted something more European and different. Therefore, the designing was outsourced to the German ‘Target Design’, who’s owner also designed the iconic BMW R90S.

There were a few detractors, but most Suzuki enthusiasts fell in love with the metallic “robot-esque” look of the Katana, and it ended up one of the most lusted-after bikes of the 1980s. It won plenty of Best Superbike awards in its day, and it’s still considered one of the most influential motorcycles of all time. The KZ1000 might have blazed a trail for modern-day literbikes, but the Katana was the bike that really paved the way forward.

The design departure from previous mass-market cycles was so significant that most major motorcycle magazines of the era thought that it would not appeal to the masses. They were wrong... Not only was the Katana a sales success in Northern America, but it also had a long-lasting impact on motorcycle looks in general. Many of the Katana's design features are still visible in numerous current motorcycles, including the faired-in aspects of both the seat and the tank.

[motorettemx]

#kawasaki #kz1000z1r #kz1000 #japanese #motorcycle #motolife #custom #classic #vintage #heritage #happylife #nofilter #lifestyle #handmade #pieceofart #urban #motoporn #motorette #motorbike #motorettemx #Motoretteclub #mexico #mexicocity #oldiesbutgoodies (en Mexico City, Mexico)

[monterplant]

Speed Read, March 27, 2022

Speed Read, March 27, 2022

Our favorite stories this week run the whole gamut from old school to new, starting with a stunning Ducati breathed on by the legendary Woods Motor Shop. There’s also a crisp CB750 from Australia’s JAX Garage, a gorgeous Kawasaki restomod from the Japanese specialists Auto-Magic, and news of the return of Can-Am. Enjoy. Kawasaki KZ1000 MkII by Auto-Magic When it comes to meticulous muscle bike…

[mortorcyclewheelpe]

Japanese Rear Wheel Bearing Seal Police 1000 KZ1000 P 2002 2003 2004 2005 https://ift.tt/2R0Qb5V *This link to ebay.com*

[reactualization]

Turning Japanese: A KZ1000 resto-mod from Venier

[redwolf]

Stefano’s bikes always remain true to their original purpose—but they do it a little bit better, and with a lot more style. This thoughtfully upgraded Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD runs true to the Venier Customs form, replacing the fripperies of a typical early-80s cruiser with a sleek and timeless silhouette. The KZ1000 is called Giappone (‘Japan’) and was commissioned by San Francisco-based angel investor and entrepreneur Brett Seyler, a man with a passion for the analog pleasures of riding.

(via Turning Japanese: A KZ1000 resto-mod from Venier | Bike EXIF)

[bondshotel]

Kawasaki Z1 production began in 1972 as the most powerful Japanese 4-cylinder 4-stroke ever marketed.

The Kawasaki Z1 is a four-cylinder, air-cooled, double-overhead camshaft, carbureted, chain-drive motorcycle introduced in 1972 by Kawasaki. Following the introduction of Honda's CB750 in 1968, the Z1 helped popularize the in-line, across-the-frame four-cylinder, a format that became known as the Universal Japanese Motorcycle or UJM.

ManufacturerKawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.Also calledKawasaki 900 Super Four Production1972–1975; 85,000 units. Marketed variously as the Z1-900, 900 Z1 or 900 S4 ("Super Four"), the Z1 was the first of Kawasaki's Z models.

The Z1 was noted for being the first large-capacity Japanese four-cylinder motorcycle to use the double-overhead-camshaft system on a production motorcycle. When it was introduced, only the MV Agusta 750 S used this system; it was a very expensive limited-production machine, as opposed to the Kawasaki which was less than half the price.

The Kawasaki Z1 was developed under the project name "New York Steak".In the late 1960s Kawasaki, already an established manufacturer of two-stroke motorcycles, had begun prototyping a 750 cc four-cylinder four-stroke sports motorcycle working with McFarlane Design in 1969 to develop the bike's overall appearance. When Honda introduced the CB750 to the market first, Kawasaki postponed the Z1's release until its displacement could be increased to 903 cc and the motorcycle could be marketed in the 1000cc-class.

In 1972, the Z1 set the world FIM and AMA record for 24-hour endurance on the banked Daytona racetrack, recording 2,631 miles at an average speed of 109.64 mph. Writing in 1976, LJK Setright commented that this record was only 0.36% faster than the previous figure set in 1961 at Montlhéry, France, by a team using a modified BMW R69S, particularly the engine. Also at this time at Daytona a one-off Z1 ridden by Yvon Duhamel that was tuned by Yoshimura set a one-lap record of 160.288 mph.

The Z1 was awarded the MCN 'Machine of the Year' accolade each year from 1973 to 1976 (an award resulting from a readers' opinion-poll run by UK weekly publication Motorcycle News) The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan (in Japanese) includes the 1972 Z1 as one of their 240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology.

The basic design of the Z1 remained relatively unchanged until 1975, when the 903 cc "Z1-B" was introduced, with changes including increased power output, improved suspension, and a stiffer frame. The automatic chain oiler was deleted, the styling was revised – essentially paint scheme and side-panel nomenclature – and the braking was improved.

In 1976 the Z1 was replaced by the Kawasaki KZ900 in the U.S. and Z900 in other markets. This was succeeded by the 1977 Kawasaki Kz1000 ("Z1000") and Kawasaki Z1000 Z1-R, and in 1984 by the Kawasaki Z1100R.

[williamsmain]

Turning Japanese: A KZ1000 resto-mod from Venier

via Bike EXIF http://www.bikeexif.com/venier-kawasaki-kz1000-ltd

[kool1015]

Mr. Bike Magazine

Here’s a Japanese motorcycle magazine cover with a J model and an ELR.

[jokermachine]

New Kz1000 fork tube plugs#kz1000 #japanese #japan #kawasaki #kawasakininja #kawasakigreen #kawasakiz1000 #billet #motorcycle ##biltwell #torcousa

[jokermachine]

Billet "TECHNO" Kz1000 oil pump cover mounted today. #madeinusa#kawasakigreen #kz1000z1r #kz1000 #kawasaki #japan #japanese#biltwell #caferacer

[jokermachine]

Joker 1978 - 1980 Kz1000 Z1R seat lock trim piece install. #superbike #1978 #japan #z1 #japanese #kz #kz1000 #kawasakigreen #kawasaki #kawasakiheavyindustries #biltwell

[jokermachine]

Waiting for more parts from anodize. #kz1000z1r #kawasaki #kz1000 #z1r #z1 #japan #japanese #1978 #superbike

[jokermachine]

Z1R Cowl section with custom tailight and seat lock trim piece. #kawasaki #kawasakigreen #japanese #builtwell #kz1000#vintagemotorcycle #superbike#madeinusa