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: KZT00D006797. Engine: KZT00DE006844. 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 Lake Shore Kawasaki, inc. on 6-1-1978. This absolutely stunning and extremely rare verified Z1R TC-1.5 runs and rides perfect. Verified by the Z1R-TC Turbo Cycle Corp. registration and records to be a Molly TC-1.5. Frame and engine VIN match TCC’s paperwork. This extremely rare Kawasaki Z1R TC 1.5 is a museum quality example that has been mechanically checked out and any parts that needed attention were replaced other than the electronic fuel pump, this Z1R TC runs and rides excellent and is turnkey. This very rare log manifold Z1R TC is designated as a TC 1.5 because the first major group of Z1R TC’s were stardust metallic and the TC 1.5 was a extremely short run of the log manifold bikes with Molly graphics. 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).” 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 90 miles. The odometer shows 12,294 miles.
Maintenance:
Per Johnny, “This Z1R TC is fully sorted, maintained, and ready to ride or show. The bike has been fully serviced, oil and filter changed, tuned up, and everything works as it should. 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 12 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.”
-Very rare original Autopulse, Walbro 2100 fuel pump with external fuel pressure regulator
-Front and rear brakes have been completely gone through
-New front and rear Dunlop Gold Seal period correct tires with new tubes installed
-The bike has a new battery and the charging system is working as it should
-New fuel lines were installed
-New seals installed throughout the motorcycle, OEM petcock rebuilt
-30 lb Wika boost gauge
-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)
-The OEM carburetor has been completely gone through
-The RayJay turbo is the correct early style turbo used on the first 275 models.
-Dyna 3 ignition
Modifications:
“All body work was removed and meticulously stripped, and repainted with a museum quality paint job performed by Ravenswood Paint and Body with factory colors and replacement Molly Graphics Decals.”
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop Gold Seal tires.
The sale includes two keys, original owners manual, turbocharged supplement manual, 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:
“OEM seat has tear in the rear.”
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!
