Happy 40th Z1

It's forty years since Kawasaki released the 903cc Z1 superbike at the 1972 Cologne Show. According to some source, special activities are being planned for the 2012 Cologne Intermot show to commemorate the event.

It was a very affordable US$1895 back then but since its popularity and hardcore fans, the nicely restored one can fetch about US$7000 today. Kawasaki designer and legendary engineer,Gyoichi Inamura and his team were originally developing a singe over head cam 750 motorcycle in the late sixties, but the Honda CB750 in 1969 beat them to it. It was only a few month before The Kawasaki team was able to reveal their SOHC 750 bike.

1969 Honda CB750

They threw out the blue print of 750, trying to out-done, Honda's, The Kawasaki team spent extra years to develop, double over head cam 900cc bike. The Inamura design DOHC engine was surprisingly lasting design. It was updated here and there but was on production till 2005. (as a Kawasaki P1000 a police bike) That is whopping  32 years. What other design last that long these days?

Z900 was also the fastest production bike of the era but it had ill handling and took many riders lives. Some enthusiasts weld extras support on its frame, some even took the motor out of a Z1 and put on Honda CB750's frame to improve the handling.Like CB750, there are tons of Kwaka Z1 enthusiasts all over the world and there are many specialty parts stores and custom shops as well.