1973 Kawasaki Z1 hits record $50,000 at Mecum

A 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 owned by well known drag racer, Mike Konopacki, was the surprise package at last weekends Mecum auction at Las Vegas.
The bidding moved along past the $25k reserve and zoomed up to a record $50,000 USD.

 

www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1889740821365482

A 1984 Ninja 900 also hit the $50k mark.  It's supposedly a pre-production bike.  There are a couple of Z1 pre-production bikes out there that would probably go well over $50k if they were up for sale.

hardrockminer wrote:

A 1984 Ninja 900 also hit the $50k mark.  It's supposedly a pre-production bike.  There are a couple of Z1 pre-production bikes out there that would probably go well over $50k if they were up for sale.

 

Despite predictions of doom and gloom, there were strong sales in the motorbike department.  
The 900 Ninja was a surprise too, I guess that pre production models in cars or bikes always seem to be worth good money, probably coz most usually got destroyed after testing.
There was another 73 Z1 that got $32,000 - but that one was a barn find that was a little rough around the edges and didnt seem to have any history.

We're curious about the ser #'s and mfgr. dates of those Z1's..

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE.

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> We're curious about the ser #'s and mfgr. dates of those Z1's..
Z1F07979 sold for $55k built in February 1973 (crazy price, does not reflect real market)
Z1F17142 sold for $35k built in June 1973


Highlights of Z1F07979

• Comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic restoration with attention to original specifications
• Original frame with matching number
• In running condition
• Engine has been professionally rebuilt, rebored with the cylinder and head and carburetors also rebuilt
• New gaskets and seals throughout
• Professionally tuned by a licensed mechanic
• Engine was ceramic coated Black
• New fuel tank, side covers and tail section from Doremi, painted in Japan
• New front and rear wheel rims from the UK, new front and rear tires and tubes, spokes, reflectors, wheel bearings, fork oil, fork tubes, front fender, fork ears and trim with chrome hardware
• Gauges professionally rebuilt by Z-Resto
• New turn signals front and rear, grips, dash, horn, ignition and tapered steering head bearings
• New front and rear brake parts, handlebars and switches, mirrors and wiring harness, Dyna S ignition, Dyna coils and Dyna plug wires
• New badges, foot pegs, kick start arm, shift lever, swing arm roller bearings, and air box
• New exhaust with hardware from Z1 Parts
• New seat, rear fender, chain and sprockets, chain guard and cables
• Powdercoated frame, swing arm, front hub, side stand, center stand, triple trees, head light bucket, gauge cones, dash bracket and taillight bracket
• Re-chromed rear brake lever and grab bar
• Polished aluminum parts including the front fork legs, rear hub, valve cover and engine side covers
• Frame number Z1F-07979
• Engine number Z1E-08296

A mechanical and cosmetic restoration returned this 1973 Kawasaki Z1 to fresh out-of-the-crate condition and the legendary superbike stands ready to take back its king-of-the-road crown. The crankshaft to reflector restoration began with a professional overhaul of the game-changing 900cc DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine. Rebored cylinders and a rebuilt cylinder head were reunited with new gaskets and seals. Specialist tuning synched up the OEM airbox and rebuilt carburetors and upgraded Dynatek Dyna S electronic ignition and coils, and plug wires light the fire. Black ceramic coating is an improvement on the original factory finish and a new 4-into-4 exhaust from Z1 parts plays a period-correct soundtrack. A new chain and sprockets set puts 80-plus HP to the pavement through a 5-speed transmission and a total controls and cables overhaul obeys rider commands.The original double-loop cradle frame was stripped to the steel, powder-coated in black and fitted with replacement swing arm roller bearings and tapered steering bearings. Chromed fork ears and a front fender team up with rebuilt fork tubes, and reproduction rims from the UK with new spokes and correct tube tires for authentic road control. Power is nothing without early Seventies superbike style. Classic Candy Brown and orange painted tank and side covers topped with new badges came from the Doremi Collection in Japan and a new seat with re-chromed grab bar delivers two-up comfort. Z-resto worked their magic on the rebuilt speedometer and tachometer and a new wiring harness brings electrons back in line with all new lighting. Polished aluminum front fork legs, rear hub, valve cover and engine side covers are the finishing touch to the resurrected Z1. The king of the streets is offered in running condition and shows just eight miles on the odometer since the restoration was completed.

It reads like a overpriced catalog bike. New,new,new,new. The only thing re-chromed was the seat stay and brake pedal. 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>It reads like a overpriced catalog bike. New,new,new,new. The only thing re-chromed was the seat stay and brake pedal. Doesn’t say anything about the rear fender. 

Don't know about catalog, over priced is correct.
I was at the auction on Tuesday, bike was very nice, both fenders very nice, close to showroom.
 

Did you pull the list from Mecum? If so it reads like a catalog bike built around a frame, engine, and gauges. Read the list. New,new,new. That would me catalog to me. If you were lucky enough to to buy NOS don’t you think you would say that?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Did you pull the list from Mecum? If so it reads like a catalog bike built around a frame, engine, and gauges. Read the list. New,new,new. That would me catalog to me. If you were lucky enough to to buy NOS don’t you think you would say that?

The highlights I posted is from the Mecum listing.
The bike has a lot of new parts, z1parts sells very nice parts, original Kawasaki parts are four times, five times more then z1parts if you could even find them.
The bike is very nice, close to showroom.
There was a guy looking at the bike when I came by, don't know anything about the bidders, don't know if they have the money, don't know why they bid so much.
 

blackozvet wrote:

A 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 owned by well known drag racer, Mike Konopacki....

I had the pleasure of racing with Mike, back in the day.  He'd make the trek down from Canada (Ontario area, I believe) for the big Prostar races, and such.  Always a tough competitor with many national titles under his belt.  And, yet, a true gentleman of the sport.  

Congrats to Mike for that big auction sale of his Z1.  A nice pay day for him!

Mike

Unfortunately, for that kind of money,it's likely going to sit in someone's toy room somewhere, never to see that kind of money again. In my opinion a losing investment at that price. 

Kawasakis did OK but they have a ways to go to catch up with this one.


www.mecum.com/lots/LV0123-540423/1908-ha...davidson-strap-tank/