Z1R – with reply from Gez
I have just finished reading another excellent edition of Classic Bike
– the March issue. I particularly enjoyed the Buyers Guide to the later K1000s, but I’m sure Mr Kane is wrong in stating that the Z1R was only available in 1978 in the UK. In December 1979, I bought my first and last brand-new bike – a green Z650 B3 in green, from Ken Kay Kawasaki in Luton. I was also tempted by the Z1R MKII which was in the shop – I picked up a leaflet, but had also read about the new model in MCN. That bike had a larger fuel tank, up from 14 to 16.5 litres. A quick search for Z1RS for sale in the UK just now shows a MKII for sale at H&H, and next to it there’s a Mk1 – the larger tank is clearly seen.
My Z650 was my only transport for years and I kept it for seven years and 50k miles.
It was perfect for me. Martin Springall Driffield, East Yorks
I got the information on the Z1-R from Dave Marsden, of Z-power, who worked at a Kawasaki dealer back in the day and is pretty clued up when it comes to Zed matters. According to Dave, the MKI version of the Z1-R is the only one that was officially sold in the UK. Of course, Z1000 MKII models were available here. Because sales of the MKI were poor in the UK, Kawasaki UK offered a larger tank (and a sintered brake upgrade) as an option.
The bike being offered for sale by H&H is a MKI – though obviously not registered until 1979. It has the rounded cambox cover, wheras MKII Z1-RS have the squared-off MKII design. MKIIS also had four-into-two exhaust systems. Many MKI Z1-RS were still on showroom floors long after the end of 1978, so I presume this must be one of them.
Gez Kane