The Z1 was known as 'Project T103' during development. Then
named '900 Super Four Model Z1' when it was released to the
public. It's code name was 'New York Steak'.
 The
information in these pages is to help fill the void (and quell
misinformation) on the Kawasaki Z1 & KZ900 models. There
is no definitive information - even the Kawasaki factory did
not keep track of much of this data, so it has been pieced together
by ourselves and a number of enthusiasts around the world.
Please contact us with any additional information you might have so we can
continue to refine and complete this data.
 Model
year - much like the automotive industry, the motorcycle
model year does NOT follow the calendar year. With the exception
of the prototypes and very early production bikes, the Z1 production
started in earnest in July 1972. The last of the 1973 Z1's was
produced in July 1973. The first 2200 Z1's produced were considered
1972 bikes by the factory - although you will sometimes see
an early Z1 advertised as a 1972 bike - being produced in 1972
just means is was one of the first 4,895 Z1's produced.
The largest number of Z1's produced in any one month
was in November 1974. A total of 3,660 bikes were produced
by the factory in Japan - an average of over 120 bikes per
day.
June 1976 saw the most KZ900's produced, 3,000 of these
produced in Japan, another 1840 produced in Lincoln, Nebraska
USA
The mighty Z1 was not cheap back in 1973 - the price was right
around $2,000.00 in the USA. A little more than that in Canada.
Did you know all the Z1's sold in Canada came through the
USA first? So they have the USA frame number sticker on
the steering head.
 Here
is an original bill of sale for a Z1 purchased in the USA. The
Z1 in United Kingdom retailed at 1800 and in Canada sold for
nearly $2,300.00 back in May 1973.
This particular bike was built in Jan 1973, so it took 4 months to be shipped
across the Pacific to the USA, then up into Winnipeg, Canada
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