1973 Kawasaki Z1 - Lot 30

1973 Kawasaki Z1 Serial number 11996 French registration 30,038 km on the odometer At the time of its launch, the 900 Z1 was the most prestigious mass-produced model of its time. It embodied a veritable technological revolution, with : - a 900 cm³ four-cylinder engine with double overhead camshafts and four carburetors, - electric starter, - front disc brake, - swing-arm rear suspension and hydraulic telescopic front forks, - a top speed approaching 200 km/h. Unveiled in 1972, it was a direct riposte to the Honda CB 750 Four, launched four years earlier. Having caught wind of Kawasaki's ambitions to develop a four-stroke, four-cylinder motorcycle initially planned for 750 cm³, Honda had pre-empted its rival by hastily producing the CB 750. In response, Kawasaki's 900 Z1 outbid the competition with a larger, more powerful "Super Four". For its time, it adopted particularly advanced technical solutions, which were to leave a lasting mark on motorcycle history.