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Kawasaki Z1-R MkII

Kawasaki Z1-R II auction

(by Guy 'Guido' Allen, August 24, 2021)

Kawasaki Z1-R MkII

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.

Kawasaki Z1-R MkII

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.

Kawasaki Z1-R MkII

"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."

See the full story here.

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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