Kawasaki Z1
| File:KAWASAKI Z1.jpg
1972 Kawasaki Z1
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| Manufacturer | Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. |
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| Also called | Kawasaki 900 Super Four [1] |
| Production | 1972—1975; 85,000 units (est.) [2] |
| Successor | Kawasaki Z900 [3] |
| Class | Standard (muscle bike) |
| Engine | DOHC 903 cm3 (55.1 cu in) air-cooled, inline-four [2] |
| Bore / stroke | 66 mm × 66 mm (2.6 in × 2.6 in) |
| Top speed | 130 mph (210 km/h) [4][5] |
| Power | 82 PS (81 hp) at 8500 rpm [1][5] |
| Torque | 54.2 lb⋅ft (73.5 N⋅m) at 8500 rpm [4] |
| 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 [6] |
| 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) [1] (dry) 542 lb (246 kg) [7] (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[8] a format that became well known as the Universal Japanese Motorcycle or UJM.
The Z1 was noted for combining elements[which?] available previously on numerous motorcycles, into a single motorcycle.[7][9]
Marketed variously as the Z900, 900 Z1 or 900 S4 ("Super Four").[3] the Z1 was the first Kawasaki's Z models.[4][10]
Contents
History
The Kawasaki Z1 was developed under the project name "New York Steak".[8][9] 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[2] working with McFarlane Design in 1969 to develop the bikes overall appearance.[11] 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.[2]
Z1 production began in 1972 as the most powerful Japanese 4-cylinder 4-stroke ever marketed.[6]
The Z1 featured full instrumentation and an electric start, produced 82 bhp and had a maximum speed of 130 mph (210 km/hr).[5] 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.[2]
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)[12] The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan (Japanese) includes the 1972 Z1 as one of their 240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology.[1]
Design changes
The basic design of the Z1 remained relatively unchanged until 1975, when the 903 cc "Z1-B" was introduced, with changes including power output, improved suspension, a stiffer frame, deleted automatic chain oiler, revised styling (essentially paint scheme and side cover nomenclature), and improved braking.
Follow-up series
In 1976 the Z1 was replaced by the Kawasaki KZ900, called Z900 in some countries.[6] This was succeeded by the 1977 Kawasaki Kz1000 ("Z1000")[10] and Kawasaki Z1000 Z1-R, and in 1984 by the Kawasaki Z1100R.
In 1983, Kawasaki won back the crown of the fastest production bike with the Kawasaki GPZ900R which had some other references to its predecessor like the model designation code ZX900, four cylinders and 900 ccm.
The 1991 Kawasaki Zephyr series copied a lot of the design of the first naked Z1, as did the Z1000 in 2003. It received updates in 2007 and a major redesign in 2010.[10]
See also
References
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Additional Resources
- Wagar, Ivan. Kawasaki's 900cc New York Steak, Cycle World October 1972.
- Kawasaki 900 Z-1 Road Test, Cycle World March 1973.
- David Marsden Original Kawasaki Z1, Z900 and KZ900: The Restorer's Guide to All Aircooled 900cc Models 1972-1976 Hardcover 1 Jun 2011.
| Records | ||
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| Preceded by | Fastest production motorcycle 1973–1975 |
Succeeded by Ducati 900SS |
