Difference between revisions of "Kawasaki KZ1000C"

== Early Kawasaki Police Motorcycles ==

== Early Kawasaki Police Motorcycles ==

In 1975 the first [[Kawasaki]] [[police motorcycle]]s were adapted from the KZ-900Z1 series motorcycles.  The conversion was a fairly strait forward adaptation of a civilian motorcycle.  Readily available commercial accessories were added to the motorcycle by Kawasaki to produce the first machines intended for police use.  This motorcycle retained the spoke wheels,tires and chrome fenders.  The dual seat was removed and a sprung single saddle added to allow the mounting of the police radio equipment directly to the rear of the rider.  Additionally a Lexan "Harley-Davidson" (tm) type windshield was added as well as floorboards, front and rear crash bars  black painted steel saddle bags mounted within a simple chrome plated wrap around mount.  Pursuit lighting was added via mounting two smaller passing lights on either side of the headlight by utilizing the existing headlight mounting bolts.  Additional police equipment such as the siren and two way radio was to be fitted  by the purchasing department.

In 1975 the first [[Kawasaki]] [[police motorcycle]]s were adapted from the KZ-900Z1 series motorcycles.  The conversion was a fairly strait forward adaptation of a civilian motorcycle.  Readily available commercial accessories were added to the motorcycle by Kawasaki to produce the first machines intended for police use.  This motorcycle retained the spoke wheels,tires and chrome fenders.  The dual seat was removed and a sprung single saddle added to allow the mounting of the police radio equipment directly to the rear of the rider.  Additionally a Lexan "Harley-Davidson" (tm) type windshield was added as well as floorboards, front and rear crash bars  black painted steel saddle bags mounted within a simple chrome plated wrap around mount.  Pursuit lighting was added via mounting two smaller passing lights on either side of the headlight by utilizing the existing headlight mounting bolts.  Additional police equipment such as the siren and two way radio was to be fitted  by the purchasing department.

In 1978 Kawasaki introduced the KZ1000PC2 model which was the first of the purpose built motorcycles for law enforcement use.  These motorcycles were equipped with new 18" front and rear "run flat" tires on cast wheels with larger plastic fenders, dual disc brakes were now up front with a single disc in the rear.  In addition to the wheels an improved adjustable fork mounted windshield, factory switches and wiring to support the pursuit lights,speedometer and siren were now factory installed.  The C2 model now included fiberglass saddlebags built by Vetter, improved wrap around saddlebag mounting and a more structurally robust crash bar system.  The saddle now rode on oil dampened shock absorbers and the floorboards enlarged for greater rider comfort with a sacrificial angle-iron beneath the floorboards to prevent damage during high lean cornering maneuvers. An interesting feature of the KZ1000PC2 was that this model was equipped with two speedometers, the right one could be locked to whatever speed the motorcycle was traveling by simply moving the pursuit light switch on the right grip to the "M" position.  By pressing the switch one more position the pursuit lights were turned on.  The right speedometer also contained an amber "Inst-Hold" and blue "Pursuit" indicators.

In 1978 Kawasaki introduced the KZ1000PC2 model which was the first of the purpose built motorcycles for law enforcement use.  These motorcycles were equipped with new 18" front and rear "run flat" tires on cast wheels with larger plastic fenders, dual disc brakes were now up front with a single disc in the rear.  In addition to the wheels an improved adjustable fork mounted windshield, factory switches and wiring to support the pursuit lights,speedometer and siren were now factory installed.  The C2 model now included fiberglass saddlebags built by Vetter, improved wrap around saddlebag mounting and a more structurally robust crash bar system.  The saddle now rode on oil dampened shock absorbers and the floorboards enlarged for greater rider comfort with a sacrificial angle-iron beneath the floorboards to prevent damage during high lean cornering maneuvers. An interesting feature of the KZ1000PC2 was that this model was equipped with two speedometers, the right one could be locked to whatever speed the motorcycle was traveling by simply moving the pursuit light switch on the right grip to the "M" position.  By pressing the switch one more position the pursuit lights were turned on.  The right speedometer also contained an amber "Inst-Hold" and blue "Pursuit" indicators.