Kawasaki Z1

Kawasaki Z1

Manufacturer	Kawasaki
Also called	Z1, Z900, KZ900
Production	73-75
Successor	Kawasaki KZ900A
Engine	903cc air-cooled DOHC inline-four
Bore / Stroke	66 x 66mm
Compression ratio	8.5:1
Top speed	130mph
Horse Power	82 HP @8,500 rpm
Fuel system	4x Mikuni VM 28mm carburetors
Sparkplug	B8ES 73-75
Battery	12N14-3A 73-75
Transmission	5-Speed Return Shift
Frame type	tubular steel, double cradle
Suspension	Front: telescopic forks Rear: swingarm / twin shocks
Front Tire	3.25-19 73-75
Rear Tire	4.00-18 73-75
Fuel consumption	45 mpg (average)
Related	Kawasaki KZ900A Kawasaki KZ1000A
Competition	Honda CB750K Triumph Trident Suzuki GT750
Manuals	Service Manual
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The Kawasaki Z1 is a high performance superbike motorcycle produced by Kawasaki from 1973 to 1975.

Intro

Kawasaki's earlier two and three-cylinder bikes such as the H1, and H2 had bestowed Kawasaki with a high performance image. But these bikes had known problems: excessive fuel consumption, noise, vibration, and less than perfect handling. Their sparse comfort relegated them to the role of street racer. Kawasaki engineers had outlined these limitations of their two-stroke triples as early as 1967. This led to the beginning stages of planning a four-stroke super cruiser in the mold of the 1000cc Vincent, that could be ridden in any situation, and would be "THE" bike all experienced riders lusted after.

New York Steak

The Kawasaki Z1 gave the world its first true superbike. Introduced in late 1972, the Z1 was Kawasaki's first four-cylinder, four-stroke motorcycle. During its planning stages it was called the codenamed the T-103 and nicknamed the 'New York Steak'. Before the introduction of the Honda CB750K to the world at the October 1968 Toko Motor Show, Kawasaki had already sent a mock-up double overhead camshaft Z1 to US Kawasaki's Sam Tanegashima. Honda's head start caused Kawasaki to be patient and carefully judge the revolutionary bike's impact.

Reception

The Z1 became the "King of the Road" and an industry leader; as the first production motorcycle to bring such high performance and prestige to the general public. Cycle Magazine recorded a standing quarter mile time of 12.83 seconds @ 101.7 mph.

1973 Z1

1973 Kawasaki Z1 900

1973 Kawasaki Z1 in Candy Brown

1973 Kawasaki Z1 in Candy Brown

1973 Kawasaki Z1 in Candy Brown

• Color
  • Fuel Tank: Candy Yellow, Candy Brown
  • Front Fender: Chrome
• Engine No.: Z1E000001-
• Frame No.: Z1F-000001-
• Parts Catalog No.: 99997-603, (E) 99997-608S
• Owner's Manual No. : 99997-800
• Shop Manual No. : 99997-700

The First Z1.

1974 Z1A

1974 Kawasaki Z1A 900

1974 Kawasaki Z1A in Maroon

1974 Kawasaki Z1A in Brown

1974 Kawasaki Z1A in Brown

• Color
  • Fuel Tank: Candy Orange
  • Front Fender: Candy Yellow
• Engine No.: Z1E020001-
• Frame No.: Z1F-020001-
• Parts Catalog No. : 99997-627, (E) 99997-627-01S
• Owner's Manual No. : 99997-808, (E) 99997-021, (F) 99983-009, (I) 99983-010, (W) 99983-011
• Shop Manual No.: 99997-700

For 1974 Kawasaki changed the colors and markings, and the engine dropped the black paint to simply be an aluminum color. In mid 1974 there was a slight carburetor change to improve cold running. At the end of 1974 Kawasaki had produced over 80,000 units of the Z1 and Z2.

1975 Z1B

• 

  1975 Kawasaki Z1B 900

• 

  1975 Kawasaki Z1 900 in Brown

• 

  l1975 Kawasaki Z1 900 in Brown

• 

  1975 Kawasaki Z1 900 in Brown

• 

  l1975 Kawasaki Z1 900 in Brown

• 

  1975 Kawasaki Z1 in Blue

• 

  1975 Kawasaki Z1 in Blue

• 

  1975 Kawasaki Z1 in Blue

• 

  1975 Kawasaki Z1 in Blue

• Color
  • Fuel Tank: Candy Super Blue, Candy Super Red
  • Front Fender: Chrome
• Engine No.: Z1E047500-
• Frame No.: Z1F-047500-
• Parts Catalog No.: 99997-627-50S, (E) 99997-627-51S
• Owner's Manual No.: 99997-832
• Shop Manual No.: 99997-700
• Major Changes: Color and marking. Special chain provided with sealed-in grease. Automatic chain oiler discontinued.

Kawasaki dropped the automatic chain oiler in favor of an o-ring chain. The front forks received revised dampers and softer springs. To improve low speed running there was a new automatic ignition advance. Unlike on the trend with the H1 these changes didn't drop performance.

1976 Z1

The model designation was changed to KZ900A and started in 1976 with the KZ900-A4 model.