1980 Kawasaki Motorcycle Dealer Photographs

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Greetings,

Before the new model year brochures are ready, Kawasaki would often send out preliminary images--sometimes they sent pre-lim versions of the brochures--sometimes just photos. Often the brochures for all-new (or highly revised) models were the last to be ready. Also, this was normally in the fall when the bikes themselves are not at the dealer yet either. Honestly, the exact reason/original purpose of these photos is lost to time--for me at least. A quick caption is under each photo. Unfortunately there are just 14 of the 35 1980 models. Photos measure 5" x 7".

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Above: 1980 KX250-A6, two-stroke, motocross, first year for Uni-Trak rear suspension.

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Above: 1980 KX420-A1, two-stroke, motocross, first of a two-year run for this displacement. Speaking of 420... some smoke sounds pretty good right now--2-stroke smoke that is--it's been too long. In 1983 the KX500 would roll out as the big MXer.

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Above: 1980 KDX250-A1, two-stroke, enduro (off-road only), only year for the "A" model, twin shock rear suspension--the following year's "B" model added Uni-Trak.

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Above: 1980 KLX250-A2, four-stroke, enduro (off-road only), the second and final year for this model until the much revised varieties of the 1990s.

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Above: 1980 KZ750-H1, four-cylinder, rated at 74hp, LTD styling, somewhat unique two-piece seat, a twin-cylinder LTD rated at 55hp was also introduced that year--the KZ750-G1 which lasted one year.

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Above: 1980 KZ750-E1, four-cylinder, rated at 74hp, classic UJMC styling, shown in Luminous Dark Red.

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Above: 1980 KZ550-C1, four-cylinder, rated at 53hp, LTD styling, shown in Luminous Dark Red.

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Above: 1980 KZ440-B1, twin-cylinder, rated at 40hp, "Inexpensive standard" model, spoke 18" wheels, front and rear drum brakes, shown in Firecracker Red. The "B" was offered for one more year before being replaced by the somewhat upgraded KZ440-G1 which had improved styling, front disc brake, and cast wheels.

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Above: 1980 KZ440-A1, twin-cylinder, rated at 40hp, LTD styling, front disc brake, cast wheels--19" up front & 16" at the rear, chain drive, shown in Persimmon Red.

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Above: 1980 KZ440-D1, twin-cylinder, rated at 40hp, LTD styling, front disc brake, cast wheels--19" up front & 16" at the rear, belt drive.

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Above: 1980 KZ250-D1, single cylinder, rated at 19hp, LTD styling, spoke wheels, shown in Luminous Dark Blue. A single year / USA-only model.

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Above: 1980 KE125-A7, single cylinder, two-stroke, rated at 13.5hp, dual-purpose (on/off-road), somewhat streamlined/tucked-in exhaust from the previous year, new box-section swing-arm for 1980, shown in Firecracker Red.

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Above: 1980 KE175-D2, single cylinder, two-stroke, rated at 16hp, dual-purpose (on/off-road), new CDI ignition system, somewhat streamlined/tucked-in exhaust from the previous year, new box-section swing-arm for 1980, shown in Firecracker Red.

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Above: 1980 KL250-A3, single cylinder, four-stroke, rated at 21hp, dual-purpose (on/off-road), new CDI ignition system, somewhat streamlined/tucked-in exhaust from the previous year, new box-section swing-arm for 1980, shown in Firecracker Red.

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Ever wonder if all of those Kawasaki model prefixes had meanings? Here's a breakdown copied from the 1965~1991 model list (any added after 1991 not included).

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Please ask questions or drop a comment below.

"...And that's all I have to say about that." F.G. (unless there are questions)

Thanks for looking. Gary  /  kawasaki-yama-zuki

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

Muzzy's Screen Saver, 1995 Suzuki Cards

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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