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: KZT00D006421. Engine: KZT00DE006346. 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 Palmetto Kawasaki on 4-12-1979. Verified by the Z1R-TC Turbo Cycle Corp. registration and records to be a Molly TC-2. Frame and engine VIN match TCC’s paperwork. This absolutely stunning and extremely rare verified Z1R TC-2 runs and rides perfect. This motorcycle runs, rides, and handles better than new, and is a dependable/ fast, very collectible matching number rare Kawasaki TC-2” He’s an expert in this model and has the largest collection of “verified” Z1-R TCs available in the world:
True mileage unknown. The odometer shows 18 miles.
Maintenance:
Per Johnny, “The motorcycle was mechanically and cosmetically restored including a rebuilt engine with a welded crank. In the 90s, almost every nut/bolt, spacer, bushing, wheel bearings, chain adjusters, new stator and rectifier, has been replaced on this motorcycle during the restoration process. Once completed the bike was only ridden 11 miles, and was in a motorcycle private museum collection prior to my ownership. All the original bodywork was repainted with the proper paint code and period correct Molly graphic decals were installed. Front and rear OEM turn signals are currently not working. Headlight Hi/Lo switch has a broken actuator, but the high and low beam works fine. The hazard light switch is also missing the actuator. Because this Z1R TC had been sitting in a museum for over 20 years, many items were rebuilt and or upgraded:”
– New period correct Dunlop tires and tubes
– Complete brake job
– New battery
– New stainess braided front and rear brake lines
– Fuel tank flush
– Mikuni HSR 42 carburetor completely disasembled and checked out with proper jetting verified
– Valve adjustment checked and verified ok
– Valve springs and retainers/keepers visually inspected
– Stock cams degreed in properly
– Clutches replaced with new plates and discs
– Front and rear wheel bearings
– New chain and sprockets
– Hi Flo Pingle petcock with new fuel lines
– Charging system working as it should
– Headlight, tail light, brake light working properly
– Has original Kawasaki key 911 and 913
Modifications:
Johnny has provided the following list of upgrades:
– Chrome brake rotors
– Chrome turbo housing
– Chrome kick stand
– Polished engine covers
– Mikuni HSR 42mm flat slide carburetor with K&N filter
– New electric fuel pump with regulator
– American Turbo-PAK 15 lb. black face boost gauge
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop D404 tires with date codes of 2023 and 2923.
The sale includes two keys, owner’s manual, literature, TCC documentation, 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:
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!
