Description
TCC stood for the Turbo Cycle Corporation, and it was created to sell bolt on turbos for motorcycles built by American Turbo-Pak. The founder of TCC was a former Kawasaki USA employee named Alan Masek, and he used his contacts to help develop the first ‘production’ turbocharged bike. Kawasaki’s Z1-R was their top of the line bike but Alan figured he could make a true halo and sell some turbos in the process.
The plan was to source bikes from Kawasaki, install the turbo kit, then have Kawi sell the new Z1R-TC through dealerships (but without a warranty). TCC made some money, Kawasaki got bragging rights, and no one had to worry about warranty costs or emissions issues.
500 were built, the first 250 of which were in the stock powder blue of the Z1-R. The remaining 250 were adorned in the iconic black/yellow/red Molly Design paint scheme and boasted some mechanical refinements. Want to know more? Check out this write up on Odd Bike where they call the machine “The Psycho Turbo Z” here. Or this period piece from Cycle Magazine in 1978 where they call the bike “The Meanest Z of All” here.
This example is VIN: KZT00D006795. Engine: KZT00DE006847. The seller (who restored the bike) is our friend Johnny Bohmer, multiple Guinness World Record holder and owner/driver of the BADD GT, the world’s fastest street legal car. Iconic has known him for years and he has listed several bikes with us – he has been avidly racing cars and motorcycles since the early 1970s and has a soft spot for Kawasakis.
Regarding this specific bike here’s what Johnny says, “Originally sold to Gainesville Cycles In Texas on 5-20-79. Verified by the Z1R-TC Turbo Cycle Corp. registration and records to be a Molly TC-1.5 1 of 23 Molly Graphic bikes produced with the Log Manifold Turbo System (there are only 6 known survivors to exist. I have 2 of them and the Frame VIN numbers are 2 digits apart). This absolutely stunning and very rare log manifold Z1R TC is designated as a TC 1.5 because the first major group of Z1R TCs were stardust metallic and the TC 1.5 was a extremely short run of the log manifold bikes with Molly graphics. The RayJay turbo is the correct early style turbo used on the first 275 models. This extremely rare verified Z1R TC-1.5 is fully sorted, maintained, and ready to ride or show.” He’s an expert in this model and has the largest collection of “verified” Z1-R TCs available in the world:
During his ownership, the seller has covered approximately 160 miles. The odometer shows 5,425 miles.
Maintenance:
Per Johnny, “In the mid 1990’s this motorcycle was parked near a building that caught fire. The paint and bodywork was slightly damaged and other miscellaneous items also suffered heat damage. All of the damages parts were replaced with the correct OEM parts. The bike’s bodywork was professionally repainted using the correct paint code and the OEM Molly graphic decal set. The original electronic fuel pump was not refurbished, but is still on the bike, the current fuel system bypasses the original pump. Very rare original Autopulse Walbro 2100 fuel pump with external fuel pressure regulator. The OEM Autopulse fuel pump system has been bypassed and the motorcycle is currently running on a gravity feed system which works perfectly fine up to 10 lbs. of boost. The Autopulse pump had a minor leak and I felt it would be safer to use a gravity feed system. The auto pulse pump, regulator, and fuel lines are still on the motorcycle in the proper locations.”
– Front and rear brakes have been completely gone through
– Front and rear Dunlop Gold Seal period correct tires with new tubes installed
– The bike has been fully serviced, oil and filter changed, tuned up, and everything works as it should
– The bike has a new battery and the charging system is working properly
– New fuel lines were installed
– Inside of tank in good condition and has been resealed
– New seals installed throughout the motorcycle, OEM petcock rebuilt
– The motorcycle has the original grips and original clutch, and brake levers with the plastic coating
– The very early TC bikes had the turbo drain line going into the crank case oil cap opening
– The boost level has been verified with a waste gate blow off of 6.5 Lbs. (This low boost level will help keep the engine alive as long as 93 octane or higher fuel is used)
– The OEM carburetor has been completely gone through
– Original Lion key #812
Modifications:
-American Turbo-PAK 15 lb. black face boost gauge
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop Gold Seal tires.
The sale includes one key, original owners manual, turbocharged supplement manual and additional media, and original “Z1R-TC Registration Warranty and Purchaser Certification,” this is a signed and witnessed document that states there is no warranty. The seller will not show the documentation publicly but it will be provided to the buyer.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
“Minor scuff near bottom-left of wind screen. Some minor blemishes on this paint job that are very difficult to see.”
Currently located in West Palm Beach, Florida this Kawasaki is offered on a clean Florida title. Have any Z1-R TC stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
