1975 Kawasaki Z1B 900

Description

• UNSOLD at auction December 2023
• Please contact Evoke for more information / to arrange a viewing : team@evoke-classics.com
• Candy Blue
• Matching numbers
• Genuine mileage
• From a private collection

The Kawasaki Z1. As the world’s first superbike the Z1 broke the mould. Today they are not just desirable, some see Z1 as the Holy Grail. That is probably a bit strong, but there is no doubt, the Z1 was ‘the’ one. They rarely come to market, often changing hands via clubs and forums. When they do, there is always a great deal of interest.

This is one of two Z1s from a private collection that we have at auction. Our vendor is an engineer by profession and ran his own business until his retirement 2 years ago. He has worked carefully to get these two superb Z1s to where you see them today. He has tried to keep as much originality as possible. Both are described as being 85-90% original. Where items have been sought, the supplier has been the famous Z Power in Manchester, who better? The pictures tell the story much better than we can.

Background

In the late Sixties after much success with their awesome two-strokes, Kawasaki began work on a four stroke 750cc machine. In 1968 Honda released the SOHC CB750; the team at Kawasaki weren’t having that.  Legend has it, they codenamed their new project New York Steak, apparently because the world acknowledged New York was where the best steaks were. Kawasaki wanted the world’s best bike. During development, the letter Z was chosen because it is so memorable and often extreme, #1 stood for number one: in the world.

Many argue they delivered on the project. Released in 1972, the Z1 was the world’s fastest production motorcycle and coined the term ‘superbike’.

• This Z1 has been owned by our vendor for around three years
• This is a US spec Z1B
• When our vendor saw it for sale, he instantly bought it
• We have on file, the original photos from when he acquired it
• It was in reasonable, useable condition
• A previous owner had painted it dark maroon and silver for some odd reason

That was the first piece of work that needed doing to get it up to our vendor’s high standard. As you can see, the finished article is rather special.

Exterior

The Z1 is stunning, shocking and awesome all in one go. It looks like nothing else, even today; back in 1972 it performed like nothing else. It was the King.

The Kawasaki team knew they had a hit on their hands, Honda must have been kicking themselves. The initial design was not tinkered with until 1975 when the Z1-Bs like this one came along. To notice any difference, you’d have to be a real aficionado to be able to separate the two.

• A full-duplex cradle frame constructed from steel tubes
• Twin shocks at the rear
• Chrome laced wire wheels
• Stainless steel mudguards front and rear
• A front disc brake up front and a drum at the rear

Topping that all off was, the wonderful panel design. The sculptured tank, and side panels flow seamlessly into that rear tailpiece. The whole package is brought together making poetry in motion even standing still. Then there is that colour scheme. Oh. And then there is those four-into-four pipes.

The panels on this Z1B have been brought up to a high and original standard along with the other cosmetic items, as you can see.

• The rims and spokes have been replaced by stainless steel items from Z-Power
• The reason? Our vendor described the originals as ‘slightly pitted’
• We guess on a bike of this quality minor imperfections can be amplified
• Crossed stitched seat without a centre strap and front fork gaiters are one of the features of US spec Z1s
• To comply with US regulations the headlamp has a live feed straight from the ignition. Us Brits followed many years later with that safety feature
• This one has a new centre stand
• New switch gear

The eagle eyed among you might spot additions like a different combined mirror and brake reservoir. Sometimes certain parts do become beyond safely serviceable, and alternates must be sourced. Not uncommon on 70s classics. Images are in the Gallery of the early work carried out.

Mechanicals

In order to beat the CB750, Kawasaki set on building a bigger more powerful 903cc engine.

The differences could not have been more stark. The slow revving SOHC CB750 was in some ways an ‘old’ engine. Rocker arms, screw type adjustable tappets and engine oil carried separately under the side panel.

The Z1 900 was a technical legend.

• 903cc air-cooled, DOHC 8-valve four-cylinder engine
• Wet sump
• Roller bearing crank
• Gear driven primary drive
• A roller chain drove the double cams of camshafts
• Bucket tappets
• A quartet of 28mm carburettors
• And 15bhp more than the Jane Fonda!

It is, of course, the engine that drove the success of the Z1. The engineers wanted not just to match Honda but eclipse them. They succeeded.

The Z1 was the first mass-production sports bike to feature a DOHC, four-cylinder engine. This mind-blowing tech was only found on factory racing machines. The 900cc Z1 was not only the fastest production motorcycle of its era, its dependability and durability were equally impressive. The first ‘superbike’ was born.

• 82HP @ 8,500 rpm
• 54.3ft-lbs @ 7,000rpm
• Five speed gearbox
• 12v alternator
• Tubular, double-cradle frame
• Wheelbase 58.7”
• Length 86.6”
• 4.2 gallon tank
• Top speed 130mph (don’t test it though)
• Evidence exists which confirms a Yoshimura tuned Z1 set a lap record of 160mph (don’t try that either)

The Z1B was updated for 1975. The similar style, striking “Candy Super” remained. Other subtle upgrades were also made. But the Z1B was still the same great bike, only better.

Our vendor tells us the engine and mechanicals are in good shape on this Z1. He is very much of the view; if it isn’t broken, don’t tinker with and then break it.

The original exhausts are fitted. The original four Mikuni carburettors are in place, and these have been balanced, with the needles and jets replaced

Additional info

Our vendor has not registered this US spec with DVLA. Everything however is in place. The lucky winning bidder will be the first UK registered owner. A nice touch.

Summary

The Z1 set the standard for every other bike that was to follow. Performance, passion, panache. It isn’t an overstatement to say the Z1 set a template for a new era of big Japanese multis and influenced every other manufacturer of motorcycles. It was such a leap; the mighty Honda Motorcycle Corporation didn’t build a DOHC until nearly a decade later.

The fabulous Big Zed was not just a defining moment for many bike enthusiasts like us, it was so deeply ingrained into Kawasaki conciseness that in 2018 Kawasaki brought their own homage to the mass market in the shape of the Z900RS.

That boosted the appeal, as if it were needed, of the 1970s Z1. You don’t need us to tell you what an opportunity this is. Good luck bidding.

Vehicle Location: Liverpool, Merseyside L17 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this Kawasaki Z1B? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.