Walkaround Video:
In 1982, Kawasaki built approximately 30 examples of the KZ1000S1, an impressive copy of the previous year’s race bike campaigned by Eddie Lawson. They were only made available to the factory race team and any American dealerships that sponsored Superbike teams. The public had to settle for the still-very-cool KZ1000 ELR.
The original MSRP was $10,990, and genuine S1s have sold on eBay for $107,200 (in 2013) and $114,500 (in 2019). Here’s something a bit easier to swallow, and the seller has provided a comprehensive history of his attempt to “build the best ‘no compromises’ 1982 Kawasaki Superbike, a faithful replica of the limited build S1,” so we’ll let him take it from here:
The Back Story:
“I began racing here in Canada in the fledgling Superbike class in 1981 on a 1975 Kawasaki Z1 900. I was hooked, but my bike needed upgrades to be more competitive…magnesium wheels, bigger brakes, more horsepower…and frame mods to keep everything under control. It was VERY expensive even though as a licensed bike mechanic, I did most of the work. Kawasaki’s Eddie Lawson piloted a 1981 KZ1000 built by Rob Muzzy with Factory Kawasaki’s full support and won the 1981 AMA Superbike series. In 1982, Kawasaki stunned everyone with the release of the S1 Superbike, with 30 units at $10,000 apiece. And you guessed it, I had way more than $10k invested in my Z1, it was a bitter c’est la vie. And again, Eddie would prevail and win the series.
In 2001 a collector invited me to race Canadian Champion Lang Hindle’s Kawasaki 1000J fitted with an S1 engine in the VRRA. At the time, the company I worked for was running 15 to 20 track days a year at Mosport, and that year alone, I probably rode 800 laps aboard an ex-factory Kawasaki ZX-6R. Needless to say, I got my chops back and was all set to get on the Hindle bike and see what I could do with it. Five years, many wins and 2 outright vintage lap records and even a cameo in the ‘Step Brothers’ movie later, I was a fully committed on building my own S1 replica! Around the same time, it was the last race on the Hindle bike for me as I requested to the mechanic to do a leakdown test, the bike was down on power. As a result, the owner retired the bike and I was out of a ride. It was a good run though, no crashes, no technical DNF’s.
While competing in the VRRA races, Scott Miller of Fast Co. let me know he was starting an S1 project and he was considering putting me on the bike to pilot it. I was thrilled and went to his shop to see the bike in the flesh. That bike in its early stages is the bike you are seeing here. Scott is in high demand in the racing scene, and I suspected he started to lose momentum on the project. I couldn’t help myself from suggesting to him to keep me in mind if he ever wanted to sell it.”
Contributors:
“With all great things, it’s often a collaboration of brilliant minds, experience, and skills. This bike is just that. I was able to engage experienced race bike builders, fabricators, engine builders of which almost all have been inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame (CMHF) to create what I have here.”
Scott Miller, Fast Co. Scott, in almost everyone’s opinion, is Canada’s most experienced and successful engine builder, race bike fabricator and winningest Superbike team owner. Scott was also a part of the birth of the superbike series. His passion set him on a course that started this project with the intention of racing in the Canadian VRRA series. Scott was recently inducted in the CMHF for his accomplishments.
Mike Law, Raceworks. The S1 Cylinder head was the ultimate power part that made the S1 more powerful than any other Kawi engines, it’s sculpted cylinder combustion chamber and 2 spark plugs per cylinder, enabled Kawasaki to run very high combustion ratios. Engine builder, porting expert and very successful in the drag racing scene. Mike contacted me to let me know he had Ruben McMurter’s ex S1 cylinder head. The head was completely reconditioned with new beryllium valve seats, guides, valves, springs and valve buckets…and it was for sale. We were able to come to an agreeable arrangement. Mike included all the specs and history of the head as well. This was never installed or used since. Impressive specs are available upon request.
Nick Kemp. Nick is a very experienced fabricator/tuner and Kawasaki drag racer, most notable for his successes with hill climber champion John Williams. Nick fitted the wheels, fabricated the front and rear brake caliper brackets and rear stay. Nick was also inducted in the CMHF for his accomplishments.
Richard Biggs. A well-known machinist, Richard fabricated the front discs for Scott Miller early in the project.
This example is VIN: JKAKZBB12CA013941. The seller acquired it from Scott Miller of Fast Company in Toronto, Canada 22 years ago.
The seller has not ridden the bike during his ownership. There is no odometer.
“Originally, I purchased it to complete the building of the bike, and then to race it. I have now decided that I will no longer race, and that it should go to someone who would race it.”
Modifications:
The engine in these pics is without contents, with the exception of the trans output shaft for wheel fitment. All contents and more, are bubble wrapped so any prospective buyer can hold them in their hands before the transaction. Everything is there, apart from the pistons on which the buyer will select their own preferred choice. The crankshaft, transmission, shifter drum and shift forks, the clutch, oil pump are all bubble wrapped and packed into sturdy containers.
A genuine and authenticated cylinder head is a S1, 8 sparkplug unit, with porting and epoxied floor intake port modifications. It was previously owned by Rueben McMurter. It has been fully refurbished by Mike Law.
This too is packed in a sturdy container for your approval and pre-purchase validation. The cylinder head shown on the engine is not included.
The Keihin carbs are 33mm CR Specials in as new condition. A brand-new Earl’s oil cooler is included. Ignition is Dyna Ignition.
The Kerker exhaust has tapered down pipes leading to the collector and is new/unused.
The frame has been stripped; engine mount pick-up point has been modified/welded to match the specs of the S1. The frame was then painted.
The triple clamps are ‘one off’ machined from billet aluminum and fitted correctly, ready to ride. The front suspension has been rebuilt, but has no oil, just springs so you can finish it to be calibrated for your weight and rider skill.
The swingarm is S1 replica right down to the catch-can fittings on the boxed front of the unit. The rear Fox piggyback shocks have been rebuilt and unused with the correct fox parts, ready to go.
The Dymag wheels are virtually unused or have little or no wear and still have stickers on them. The brake discs are replicated in 13” diameter with aluminum carriers and were fabricated in a small batch made by a very talented machinist. Both the rear wheel and front have been correctly fitted and are track ready (Though you might want to update the tires, or not…lol).
Brake calipers are AP Lockheed, though the rear is a smaller and lighter version and period correct. Front brake master cylinder is also AP Lockheed. And of course, the brake lines are brand new, and the front brakes are fully functional and ready to haul this bike down.
Inside of the tank:
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
“The gas tank was stripped and painted and there are no scratches or chips. The front fender has a chip in the paint at the lower-left rear end. The tail section and side covers are free of chips or scratches. The frame was painted, and there are some scratches from the exhaust header flanges from mounting the exhaust. The wheels may actually have never had tires mounted on them previously, and they have the factory Dymag stickers on them. The right front fork lower has 3 chips, the left is unblemished.”
PLACEHOLDER: PHOTOS OF SCUFFS/BLEMISHES
Currently located in Toronto, Canada, this Kawasaki is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any S1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
