Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tues 24th March from 1pm
Auction: Wed 25th March from 9am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
1973 Kawasaki Z1
Fitted with a Wiseco 1047cc big bore kit
Estimate
£15, 000 - £17, 000
Registration No: FWW 336M
Frame No: Z1F 11857
MOT: Exempt
Authentically restored first generation Z1
1047cc with Wiseco High Compression pistons
Supplied with various manuals and a current V5C
Kawasaki Heavy Industries is one of the largest corporations in Japan producing a wide range of products from rolling stock to ships. After taking over the ailing Meguro Motorcycle Company they began manufacturing motorcycles under the Kawasaki name in the early sixties, first continuing development of the K1 BSA A10 copy but soon moving on to build a reputation for high performance 2 stroke twins and triples. In the early 70s the four-stroke four-cylinder Z1 was initially developed as a 750cc to compete with the new Honda SOHC 750, but Kawasaki held the bike back until it could be increased in capacity to set a new benchmark for superbike performance. Finally released in late 1972, with its DOHC 900cc engine offering a top speed of over 130mph it easily became the fastest mass-produced bike in the world.
This first generation Z1 was sold new in 1973 by a Kawasaki dealer in Turku, Finland and was restored by a former chairman of the Finnish VJMC. He carried out an authentic restoration, keeping a good degree of originality, using as many genuine Kawasaki parts as possible with some good quality reproduction parts such as the distinctive chrome 4 into 4 exhaust supplied by Z-power. Once restored, the bike was shown in the Finnish Motorcycle Museum in Lahti and was also displayed the foyer of Sumeko Oy, the Finnish Kawasaki importers, to celebrate 50 years since the launch of this ground-breaking model. The frame was sandblasted and powder coated with the fuel tank, tail section and side covers repainted. The wheel rims, headlight brackets, handlebars, and mudguards were re-chromed and the seat base powder coated with new foam, seat cover and strap with the correct (half-moon shaped) strap buckles fitted. A new wiring loom, plus an Electrex rotor and Dyna electronic ignition was fitted along with a modern solid-state regulator/ rectifier unit fitted under the battery box. The fork legs have been hard chromed, taper roller steering bearings fitted and needle roller swinging arm bearing kits installed together with new brake lines and a factory option second front disc. The bike has rare genuine rear-view mirrors, they are heavier than aftermarket mirrors and don’t vibrate as much, and it comes with the original chain oil tank (no pump). The engine has been bored out to 1047cc with 71mm Wiseco high compression pistons and adjustable camshaft sprockets, adding up to an improved torque output of 90Nm over the 80Nm stock, as shown on the supplied dyno sheet. Imported and registered in the UK in 2023, it has been part of a small private collection of 1970s Superbikes and enjoyed by the vendor for a few summer runs out. It is supplied with an original Owners Manual, Workshop Manual and parts books together with a current V5C.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
