KZ400, The First KZ

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Greetings,

In 1974 the Kawasaki KZ400 was introduced. It was the very first motorcycle to bear the KZ designation. Most people are understandably more familiar with it's larger displacement siblings--the KZ750-B (twin cylinder), KZ900-A, and KZ900-B LTD introduced in 1976. In 1977 the KZ650s and KZ1000s followed. When the 1975 KZ400s were being built in Kawasaki's new factory in Lincoln, Nebraska the magazine Industrial Finishing took the opportunity to tour the new facility and review the KZ400's painting process.

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If one of the ladies doing the hand detail work on the second page is your sister/mother/grandmother let us know what she had to say about those days.

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It is not hard to see why the KZ400 caught people's eyes. It really is a great looking bike.

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Above: a little good clean fun on what is likely a 1977.

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Thanks for looking. Gary  /  kawasaki-yama-zuki

Forgotten Goodies - Vintage Accessories

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Greetings,

The first item for review today is something that was likely rare even back in 1997 when it came out. Team MUZZY slideshow screen saver (on 2 floppy discs). Doug Chandler on the cover. This was ordered directly from Muzzy's (I think).

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Back in those days I had it running on my home computer. But today, it's all but useless unless I come up with a working Win95/98 32-bit computer to attempt an install. Actually, I have a PC that should work--just not an older monitor that it will drive. I know running it now is really a waste of time--that feature is native to Windows and the floppy files will be ultra low-res--I just want to see what pictures were included and relive a couple minutes of the good old days. Until then I'll stick with the hundreds of high-res modern files,.... while using my vintage motorsports mouse pad.

The mouse pad was a gift and there is no brand name on it so I do not know the source.

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Finally, from Suzuki in ©1994 a set of 40 motorcycle and quad cards.

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View more of the set HERE.

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Thanks for looking. Gary  /  kawasaki-yama-zuki

1978 KZ1000 "Spirit of America"

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Greetings,

Here is the 1978 KZ1000 Spirit Bike preview I mentioned in my previous post. My father Tom was among the approx 150 Kawasaki dealers that took part the very special event. Dealers from around the country traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska, toured the factory, and took possession of uniquely numbered, specially painted and customized KZ1000 motorcycles. A large decal was on the top of the fuel tank like the image above. In case, you are unaware, Kawasaki opened a massive manufacturing facility in Lincoln in the mid 1970s. This particular motorcycle and millions of others along with Jet Skis, ATVs, Mules, and side-by-sides/UTVs been built there in the 50+ years since.

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Above: Our first picture shows the Spirit Bike in front of what I believe is the Nebraska Capitol building (confirmation from Penny pending).

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Above: All 200 units were specially painted white with red, white, and blue patriotic decals and striping. They were based on the 1978 KZ1000-A2 and fitted with a Vetter fairing and saddlebags. It also appears to have a seat from the KZ1000-B LTD.

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Above: Once he returned to the dealership, the previous photo was featured in the local newspaper. Our dealership had number '134 of 200' per his notes.

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A future Spirit Bike post will include more event photos, personal photos, newspaper articles, a magazine article, and hopefully, some memories of the event from my father Tom, one of the riders. Posted when time permits.

Thanks for looking. Gary  /  kawasaki-yama-zuki

Bright Kawasaki 3955 Dix Road Circa 1975

Greetings,

Recently I have been digging through a box of old photographs from the dealership. Unfortunately the years are not marked. From what I recall this group of pictures were reprinted in the 1990s from some negatives my father had in his office. They appear to start from approximately 1975 given what they captured. The dealership was located at the 3955 Dix Road address from approximately 1972 until 1991. In '91 or '92 we moved across the road to 3954 where we operated for the next decade before moving to a much newer and larger building a mile down the road. Below four images show our rear storage yard and include a couple KZ1000 MCs (motorcycles) meaning some time had passed before the roll of film was finally used up. Please comment if you have any questions or identify something that I didn't mention in the captions below.

Above: MT-1 75cc (lower left, in later years known as KV75), MC-1M 90cc (behind MT-1 with the "Flying K" on the number plate), likely a pair of KXs, red Hodaka Super Wombat MX (center), "'75 small bikes,.." poster (in window above KXs), "HODAKA" poster (behind MCs toward the right), and on the far right two Kawasaki posters displayed sideways above and below a Moto-Guzzi V850 poster. Above the door is a poster that reads "Come Out Ahead On A Kawasaki" printed in red, white, and blue offset letters (not sure if it was patriotic or 3D).

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Above: On the wall shelf several mini-bikes possibly Ruttman's brand. Left MC on the riser and four MCs in the back row--two facing the camera, two facing left--likely all Moto-Guzzis. Left center front row--possibly a G3SS 90/100cc. Front right starting center the blue MC looks like an S3 400cc triple, two KZ400s, more triples--400 and/or 500cc, and other unknown on the far right. Rear upper corner shows a 1972 H2 750cc triple along with a 1970 H1 500cc triple--both likely used bikes. Not sure about the other bikes in back.

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Above: The different angle only adds a look at the very cool Hodaka sign, a glimpse of the parts department, more triples in the row, and what are likely two Z1 900s on the far end.

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Above: Another alternate angle further shows the glorious triples and a partial look at the Moto Guzzi on the riser in the far window. A glimpse of the gas tank on the far right seems to confirm that it is a Z1.

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Above: Here we have a little more of the parts department, some appearal including an orange pit suit, more mini-bikes, and a side car hanging in the front window. Selling side cars made a brief return in the 1990s when we were able to order and install some from Jawa. I vaguely remember having one of the lime green Kawasaki jackets as a kid.

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Above: Finally a better look at the Z1 900cc MCs down front and the 1972 blue H2 750cc triple in the back row. Just beyond the red 1970 H1 in the back we have a partial look at what might be an A1 or A7 rotary twin. Note the Moto Guzzi on the riser and the winged Guzzi banner to the right of it.

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Above: While it looks like most of the cycles haven't moved, a closer look shows some changes: the metal Hodaka sign is gone, a Hodaka banner is on the wall at the left, toward the right a Kawasaki banner has been added (facing the other way), the Kawasaki green jacket and orange pit suit are gone, and some signs are hanging from the ceiling including those familiar three-sided black Kawasaki signs with the lime lettering. Also, you might notice the glimpse we get in the mirror toward the right of an added Z1 (see next picture). Note: the white Xmas tree in the parts department implies it was winter. This is likely why several of the bikes hadn't moved. The next year or two would have included Sno-Jet/Kawasaki snowmobiles this time of the year.

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Above: A beautiful 1973 Z1 at the bottom right, the Moto Guzzi riser is gone, along with the mini-bikes on the back wall shelves. There is a "'75" hanging ceiling sign that can be spotted partially obscurring the red and white Kawasaki banner on the back wall.

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Above: Storage yard with a partial look at our Kawasaki-green school bus parked on the side street (Le Blanc St). The MCs stored were either trade-ins soon to be moving to the showroom or customer machines in for service. There was an overhead door in the side wall of the service department that lead to the fenced-in yard. This enabled bikes to be stored in the building at night and wheeled into the yard during the day. Note the H1 500cc triple with the orange fenders. It is a 1972 and very likely an H1-B with breaker points ignition (the H1-C variety had chrome fenders and CDI). Unless you purchase H1-B fenders for your H1-C or vice-versa. If you are curious about the H1-B/C differences check out this post: 1972 H1 sales brochure. Last, if someone can identify the brown MC by the tirerack please put it in a comments below.

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Above: As near as I can figure we are looking at a 1977 KZ1000-A1 Diamond Wine Red (looking somewhat brown due to the cloudy/gloomy Michigan afternoon and my scanner's shortcomings--it does look more wine red in the actual photograph).

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Above: Here we have a KZ1000-B LTD, a 1971 H1 red, a KZ650 green, and a Hodaka of unknown year/model. The brown cycle at the bottom right is possibly a KZ400.

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Above: Here we have a great shot of the bus from the side street.

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Above: This final picture is from the early 1980s and included to show the front of the dealership for context.

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I hope whoever might see these old photos enjoys them as much as I do. Plus, I am looking forward to hearing what else can be spotted/identified. There is a worker at the counter in the parts department (third image, lime t-shirt). I was under 10yo at the time so, no surprise, I do not recognize them.

Finally, the next post will be part one of a multi-post offering of images and information about the 1978 KZ1000 Spirit Bike. I'll start by teasing with some images first. Random image posts may follow before the conclusion of the Spirit Bike material but it will all come eventually.

Thanks for looking. Gary  /  kawasaki-yama-zuki

Vintage Jet Ski Banner - JS400

Coming Soon to eBay

Vintage / 1970s JS400 Jet Ski Banner

A few details are at the bottom and will be more in the eBay ad.



A closer look at each quadrant.









The colors are still pretty vibrant, especially the rider and ski.



The banner was stored folded for many years and the very center does show it.



The banner measures approx 63" x 35" and was displayed a few times. It has metal grommets at the corners and it still has the original rope ties. The banner will be listed for sale shortly.

Thanks for looking. Gary  /  kawasaki-yama-zuki