
LOT 266
1978 Kawasaki Z1000 Z1-R Frame no. KZ100D-009686 Engine no. KZ100DE-009715
Sold for £2,760 inc. premium
Lot 266
1978 Kawasaki Z1000 Z1-R Frame no. KZ100D-009686 Engine no. KZ100DE-009715
1978 Kawasaki Z1000 Z1-R
Frame no. KZ100D-009686
Engine no. KZ100DE-009715
Frame no. KZ100D-009686
Engine no. KZ100DE-009715
The first major revision of Kawasaki's trend-setting Z1/Z900 arrived in 1977 in the form of the Z1000, which, as its name suggests, was a bored-out version of the original double-overhead-cam four. Power went up - marginally - to 83bhp, while there was more torque delivered further down the rev range than before. Testing the new Z1000 in February 1977, Bike magazine had to contend with a wet track but nevertheless recorded a 12.76-second standing quarter-mile time, despite an enforced half-throttle take-off, and a staggering terminal velocity of 117mph with rider normally seated! A much-revised frame meant that the Z1000 had lost some of its predecessors' wayward handling while remaining every bit as refined. Introduced soon afterwards and intended to appeal to European tastes, the more expensive Z1-R version featured a cockpit fairing, lower 'bars and a coffin-shaped fuel tank, while the more obvious mechanical changes amounted to cast wheels, drilled brake discs and calipers mounted behind the fork legs. The chassis was mildly revised (again) and power went up to 90bhp, which was good enough for a top speed of 133mph. This particular Z1-R displays a total of 53,000 kilometres (approximately 32,900 miles) on the odometer and is described by the vendor as in generally very good condition. The machine is offered with copy Netherlands registration papers.
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