Please Note: The VINData Report for this bike states that the mileage on the title is not actual.
One of the most important bikes of the 70s, the Kawasaki Z1 set all sorts of speed records at Daytona within a year of its debut.
The Z1 has a fun story – Kawasaki thought they were going to be first to market with a 4 cylinder 750cc sport bike…and then Honda blew them away with the CB750. Kawi wisely decided to go bigger instead, and the 903cc powerplant impressed the press and customers with 82 horsepower. In their home market of Japan, the government mandated a displacement limit of 750cc, so Kawasaki created the smaller Z2 instead.
1975 brought enough changes that the chassis code became the Z1-B – said changes included more power, better suspension, better brakes, and a stiffer frame. Styling tweaks included different paint color options and different logos on the sidecover.
Manufactured in November 1974, this example is VIN: Z1F64103, Engine #: Z1E-064187.
The odometer shows 47,078 miles. The seller states that they put about 6,000 miles on the bike. “I bought the bike from an estate. It had 41,000 miles on it, and it didn’t come with a title. Because the original title was lost, it wasn’t possible to verify the mileage when I applied for a new title in my name, but I believe the mileage is accurate and the gauges are original.” Officially we are calling the bike True Mileage Unknown.
The seller is Joe Gresh, motorcycle journalist and half of the website Exhaust Notes. He chronicled the history of his restoration on this site under the “Zed’s Not Dead” section, you can check out Part 1 here!
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Ok
Engine Oil Level: Low
Engine Oil Quality: Ok
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: N/A, Air Cooled
Coolant Quality: N/A
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: Fail, >3% Moisture
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A, Cable
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Final Drive Condition: Ok
Headlight High Beam: Ok
Headlight Low Beam: Ok
Passing Light: N/A
Parking Light: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light (Front Switch): Ok
Brake Light (Rear Switch): Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Horn: Ok
Kill Switch: Ok
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 90%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 90%
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 42/19
Tire Date Code Rear: 03/18
Tire % Remaining Front: 90%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 20%
Tire Press. Front: 29 PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 31.5 PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: 13.17V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 14.4V
Running Condition: Ok, runs on bench
Test Ride Completed: None taken
Test Ride Distance: N/A
Notes:
*Aftermarket Parts
-4 into 1 exhaust
-Cruise control installed(throttle lock)
-No right mirror
-Oil seeping at kickstarter shaft seal and valve cover gasket
-Intake manifolds leaking/[bike is] running lean
Customer’s Notes:
-Engine oil has 2K miles
-Aftermarket intake rubbers are about 1 year old
-Carburetors are also set up at 6000 ft altitude setting
-Chain/sprocket, brake shoes, cables, tires and most of the other wear items have 6000 miles on them.
-Brake fluid is about 4-5 years old
-Valve cover replaced a couple of years ago
RECOMMENDED REPAIRS
-Replace valve cover gasket + half rings
-Kick starter shaft seal
-Replace intake manifolds
-Engine oil + filter
-Chain service
-Hydro 1
-Replace rear tire
Modifications:
Aftermarket exhaust.
Throttle lock cruise control.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Shinko Trail Master tires with date codes of 1318 and 4219.
The sale includes two keys.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Kawasaki is offered on a clean New Mexico title with registration current through August 2026.
Have any Z1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
