Kawasaki Kz1000

Kz1000

1977 Kawasaki Z1000 exhibited at classic car show in 2014
Manufacturer	Kawasaki
Parent company	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Predecessor	KZ900
Successor	KZ1100
Engine	1,015 cc (61.9 cu in) 4 stroke DOHC air cooled Inline 4, Bore x stroke 70.0 mm x 66.0 mm, Compression ratio 8.7:1
Top speed	132 mph (212 km/h)
Power	83 hp (62 kW) @ 8,000 rpm (1977), 90 hp (67 kW)(1978)
Wheelbase	1,505 mm (59.3 in)
Dimensions	L: 2,210 mm (87 in) W: 880 mm (35 in) H: 1,200 mm (47 in)
Weight	245.5 kg (541 lb) (dry) 563 lb (255 kg)(½ tank) (wet)
Fuel capacity	16.7 l (4.4 US gal)
Fuel consumption	45 mpg‑US (5.2 L/100 km)
Turning radius	2.4 m (7.9 ft)
Related	Z 1000 Z1- R

1,015 cc (61.9 cu in) 4 stroke DOHC air cooled Inline 4,

The Kawasaki Kz1000 or Z1000 is a motorcycle made in Japan by Kawasaki, released in September 1976 as a 1977 model to replace the 1976 KZ900, which in turn replaced the Z1 launched in 1972 in the Z series. It has an inline-four cylinder engine and a 5-speed transmission, in a 'one down and four up' configuration. Producing about 90 hp, it was the fastest production motorcycle of the era.

In 1979 Kawasaki introduced the Z 1300 liquid-cooled, 6-cylinder engine, which became the engine for the Voyager touring series. Both models were available for several years. The police model continued in production until 2005.

Some of the significant differences between the Kz900 and the Kz1000 include that the latter of the two has a heavier crankshaft for less engine vibration, smoother acceleration and a larger displacement. There were various configurations of specifications and assembly, such as having the choice between chain-drive and shaft-drive. The more cruiser-like US version was called 1000 LTD in European markets.

Kawasaki swapped the traditional 4-4 exhaust (available on Z1 and Kz900) for the cheaper 4-2 exhaust. The Kz1000 came with either a chain or shaft drive after 1979. The frame on the Kz1000 is a very conventional featherbed design, but was not significantly changed in over 30 years of production.

The Kz1000P (police) has 18 inch wheels with Dunlop run-flat tires. The front tire is size MN90-18, and the back tire is size MR90-18. They came with either cast magnesium or chrome-plated wire wheels.

The Kz1000 came optional with a Windjammer brand fairing, saddle bags, a sissy bar and highway bars, all of which were removable without any interference with performance or function. The fairing and saddle bags were molded fiber-glass resin made by Vetter, while the sissy bar and highway bar were chrome plated. Highway bars were also used for comfort on long trips that did not require constant shifting or braking and usually held additional lighting, in combination with the single 7 in (180 mm) halogen head lamp.