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Kawasaki Z1-R II auction (by Guy 'Guido' Allen, August 24, 2021) A 1979 Kawasaki Z1-R II is coming up for auction later this month, via Shannons. This model, and its predecessor MkI, were essentially a styling exercise intended to freshen up the air-cooled inline four range at a time when they were under increasingly fierce competition from other members of the 'big four' Japanese industry giants. As we note in a feature on the Z1-R series: "The inspiration is credited to Kawasaki America execs Wayne Moulton and Graham Kirk, along with Japanese colleagues T Takahashi and H Otsuki. Chris (aka 'Cowboy Chris') Kurishima, who worked in the company's California studio, penned the final lines. "At the heart of the 1978 Z1-R was a mildly updated version of the Z1000 engine, running 1015cc and a bank of 28mm VM Mikuni carburettors, claiming 90 horses. Quite a bit of punch for the day and even now more than enough to give the thing plenty of performance." This example claims an extensive amount of restoration work, including a new exhaust system. The price estimate for lot 81 is Au$25-30,000 (US$18-22,000, GB£13-16,000). Bidding runs August 31 to September 7. See the full catalogue here.
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