Kawasaki Z1
1972 Kawasaki Z1
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| Manufacturer | Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. |
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| Also called | Kawasaki 900 Super Four |
| Production | 1972—1975; 85,000 units (est.) |
| Successor | Kawasaki Z900 |
| Class | standard |
| Engine | DOHC 903 cm3 (55.1 cu in) air-cooled, inline-four |
| Bore / stroke | 66 mm × 66 mm (2.6 in × 2.6 in) |
| Top speed | 130–132 mph (209–212 km/h) |
| Power | 82 PS (81 hp) at 8500 rpm |
| Torque | 54.2 lb·ft (73.5 N·m) at 8500 rpm |
| Ignition type | Battery |
| Transmission | Manual 5-speed |
| Frame type | Full duplex cradle |
| Suspension | F: Telescopic, R: Swing arm |
| Brakes | F: 11.5 in (290 mm) disk (optional 2nd disk) R: 7.9 in (200 mm) drum, leading trailing |
| Tires | F: 3.25-19, R: 4.00-18 |
| Wheelbase | 1,490 mm (59 in) |
| Dimensions |
L: 2,200 mm (87 in) W: 685 mm (27.0 in) H: 1,170 mm (46 in) |
| Weight | 230 kg (510 lb) (dry) 542 lb (246 kg) (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 18 L (4.0 imp gal; 4.8 US gal) |
The Kawasaki Z1 is a four-cylinder, air-cooled, carbureted, chain-drive, two passenger motorcycle introduced in 1972 by Kawasaki. Following Honda's 1969 CB750, the Z1 helped popularize the in-line, cross-frame four-cylinder a format that became well known as the Universal Japanese Motorcycle or UJM.
The Z1 was noted for combining elements available previously on numerous motorcycles, into a single motorcycle.
Marketed variously as the Z900, 900 Z1 or 900 S4 ("Super Four"), the Z1 was the first of Kawasaki's Z models.
The Kawasaki Z1 was developed under the project name "New York Steak". In the late 1960s Kawasaki, already an established manufacturer of two-stroke motorcycles, had begun prototyping a 750 cc four-cylinder four-stroke sports motorcycle working with McFarlane Design in 1969 to develop the bikes overall appearance. When Honda introduced the CB750 to the market first, Kawasaki postponed the Z1's release until its displacement could be increased to 903 cc and the motorcycle could be marketed in the 1000cc-class.
Z1 production began in 1972 as the most powerful Japanese 4-cylinder 4-stroke ever marketed. In 1972 the Z1 set the world FIM and AMA record for 24-hour endurance. Beating the old record by 19.54 mph at Daytona for 2,631 miles with an average speed of 109.64 mph. Also at this time at Daytona a one-off Z1 ridden by Yvon Duhamel that was tuned by Yoshimura set a one lap record of 160.288 mph.
The Z1 featured full instrumentation and an electric start, produced 82 bhp and had a maximum speed of 130 mph to 132 mph(210 km/hr). It met with positive reviews from the motorcycle press, who praised its smoothness, damped vibration, easy-starting (kick-start and electric were both available), straight-line stability and linear acceleration. Steering was accurate and the bike handled well, but testers said the rear tire, chain and rear shocks all wore out quickly.
The Z1 was awarded the MCN 'Machine of the Year' accolade each year from 1973 to 1976 (an award resulting from a readers' opinion-poll run by UK weekly publication Motorcycle News) The (Japanese) includes the 1972 Z1 as one of their 240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology.
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