Price

I don't think there is a definitive answer. If it was scarcity or supply only, the Spirit of America bikes built in the Summer of 1978 would be the most valuable as there were only 200. The 1976 900B LTD was also actually "limited production" but does not command the same prices as it'd Z1 predecessors. The 1973 models value is easy to understand as has been said, because of it's groundbreaking performance and being the first of many more refined Z bikes to come. The original was a little rough around the edges, which I believe is part of the appeal, also the amazing graphics/color scheme with the Rootbeer and Orange which IMHO has never been surpassed! I was just reading a period magazine test that conjectured that the 73 engines were painted flat black so people could easily recognize that they weren't looking at a Honda CB750, Ha Ha!

Mike

Mike, I like the road course testing at Road Atlanta in 70-71 ish? forgot exact date? But when The Kawasaki Factory put Honda gas tanks and emblems on them doing testing! Pretty cool idea!!! I agree on the Root Beer & Orange paint! And of course I loved that design! The first 76 Z900 I painted (Not me back then) But this is when I was learning to paint with the older car guys. Who knows? maybe I'll paint the one I'm putting together all black with silver / gray on the side panel of tank? Opposite of this one.

Fine looking machine for the day, and it still looks good. In 1972 two of the final Prototypes, the 9057, were brought to the U.S. and ridden 8000km on rural roads, Interstate Highways and race circuits. I think I read somewhere that these bikes were "camouflaged" with Honda badges. We were still using a variation of the same trick during the development of the Teryx4 in Lincoln with Yamaha decals!

Mike

krazee1 wrote: Fine looking machine for the day, and it still looks good. In 1972 two of the final Prototypes, the 9057, were brought to the U.S. and ridden 8000km on rural roads, Interstate Highways and race circuits. I think I read somewhere that these bikes were "camouflaged" with Honda badges. We were still using a variation of the same trick during the development of the Teryx4 in Lincoln with Yamaha decals!

Mike

Dave Sheehan's excellent book "The Kawasaki Z1 Story The Death and Rebirth of the 900 Super 4" has a picture of a "V-Bike" with a Honda paint scheme on the tank (page 105). It's a great read and still available on amazon.

Very Cool! You got me BC, I ordered the book. There is a book that was written by Sam Tanegashima in 1985 about the development of the Z1, but if I can find it I may have to beg one of my friends to translate it!

Mike

krazee1 wrote: Very Cool! You got me BC, I ordered the book. There is a book that was written by Sam Tanegashima in 1985 about the development of the Z1, but if I can find it I may have to beg one of my friends to translate it!

Mike

You won't be disappointed! Lots of Kawasaki history, too.

I didn't find the Tanegashima book yet, but I found this:

www.facebook.com/notes/z1-historical/197...hima/362624247157634

Mike

krazee1 wrote: Very Cool! You got me BC, I ordered the book. There is a book that was written by Sam Tanegashima in 1985 about the development of the Z1, but if I can find it I may have to beg one of my friends to translate it!

Mike

Do you are talking about this book?

I don't know, but that looks like a lot of interesting history also. It is just mentioned in Micky Hesse Z1 Kawasaki book that Osamu (Sam) Tanegashima who was the project manager, wrote what was described as " an emotionally moving book in Japanese about the development of the Z1." I see Greg Walker's name mentioned, I think I saw that name on the Historical Z1 F.B. page?
I found the story of the Press Release to be very interesting. I love the Japanese/English!
Mike