With a 900cc four-stroke inline-four engine, the Kawasaki 900 Z1 holds a special place in the motorbike industry’s history. Indeed, it was the first Japanese model to offer such a format and was the first worldwide to truly render it available to the masses. With this powerful yet agile format, it defined an era, dominating the world of competition and proving popular with the consumer.
This 1973 model is an early bike making it all the more attractive to collectors and enthusiasts alike. Furthermore, thanks to extensive work done to both its mechanics and visual condition, it presents wonderfully. The current owner even describes it as being in concours condition.
The History and Paperwork
First registered in May 1973
55,750km on the clock
Owned by the previous owner for 10 years
Extensive restoration and rebuild undertaken by a specialist
Purchased by the current owner in April, 2022
Kept in a closed garage
Many invoices with the bike
The Condition
Concours condition according to the owner
Very stylish bike from its era
Stunning paint colours
Prior to this 1973 Kawasaki 900 Z1’s current owner purchasing it, it went through a thorough restoration process. Indeed, much of the paint work including the fairing, wheel guards and fuel tank are new. As a result, the bike presents in a stunning visual condition, the owner even describes it as concours condition.
Aside from the fantastic yellow and green paint work, chrome framework and a new exhaust make for a very elegant model. Furthermore, the black leather saddle provides a lovely contrast to the rest of the model and also presents wonderfully with very few signs of wear. The same is true for the handlebars and instrument cluster. Indeed, the dials and controls look to make for a pleasant riding experience.
All the badges and decals one would expect appear to be present on this bike. The aforementioned saddle opens up to reveal the battery whilst the bike’s full toolkit is also included. The wheels present in fantastic shape and feature tyres with seemingly good tread.
The Mechanics
900cc inline-four, 82hp
Fully refurbed engine head
Runs as it should and starts easily
What truly makes the Kawasaki 900 Z1 special is its engine. The four-stroke inline-four was the first of its kind on a Japanese bike and promptly took the world by storm. Putting out over 80hp, it was a mighty challenger on-track winning countless races whilst on the road, it provides great power, especially considering the model’s sub-250kg weight.
As previously mentioned, this particular bike was extensively restored just a few years ago. Whilst this did touch on the visual condition, the main focus was a full engine head refurbish. Work overhauling the engine was done by specialists, Dauphi-Bike.
But the owner has since also done plenty of work. Indeed, the brakes and clutch were all overhauled by the current owner, as invoices show. Furthermore, the carburettors have since been cleaned.
As a result, the bike reportedly drives like a dream and starts instantly. The brand new exhaust system following factory specification means it sounds just as it did when it left the factory back in 1973.
The bike is currently missing the chain oiler. A brand new model does come with the bike. However, the owner has never fitted it as modern solutions root out the need. Though if one does want to portray the bike in its true period condition, fitting it shouldn’t be a difficult job.
Summary
One of the great bikes of the 1970s, the Kawasaki 900 Z1 is a very sought after model and this example, from 1973, has to be one of the best. Indeed, it presents in a gorgeous concours condition according to the owner and has been extensively overhauled mechanically meaning it runs like a dream.
Those looking to own one of these iconic bikes will do far worse than check out this particular model.
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