Having established its performance credentials with the Mach III two-stroke triple, Kawasaki went on to ace the opposition with the awe-inspiring Z1. The model had been planned in 750cc form in the late 1960s but was beaten to the showroom by Honda’s CB750. Kawasaki’s proposed superbike already had two overhead camshafts to the Honda’s one, so its designers redrew the motor as a ‘900’.
source/image(PrtSc): classic-motorcycle.com
Launched in 1972 at the Cologne Show, the big ‘Z’ set new road-bike performance standards, at least as far as straight-line speed was concerned. With 82bhp on tap, top speed was around 130mph, but if the rider used all that power on twisty roads then things could get exciting.
The Z1B, introduced in 1975, featured different tank livery and the plain alloy finish for the upper engine first seen on the Z1A, together with minor mechanical alterations including the adoption of a sealed drive chain and the deletion of the chain oiler. In 1976 the model was mildly revised yet again and renamed ‘Z900’, gaining twin front discs and 26mm carburettors among other more minor changes.
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Few bikes from Japan have had as much of an impact on the motorcycling world as Kawasaki’s original ‘Big Zed’, and today all versions of this landmark model are highly sought after.This iconic machine runs great and is in good shape.via/read more: classic-motorcycle.com
- Year: 1976
- Displacement: 903 cc
- Cylinder: 4
- Engine type: 4-stroke / ohc
- Bore / Stroke: 66 x 66 mm
- Power: 82hp @ 8.000 rpm
- Compression Ratio: 1 : 8.5
- Weight: 232 kg
- Top Speed: 217 km/h
