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The Kawasaki Z1 is a four-cylinder, air-cooled, carbureted, chain-drive, two passenger motorcycle introduced in 1972 by Kawasaki. Following Honda's 1969 CB750, the Z1 helped popularize the in-line, cross-frame four-cylinder a format that became well known as the ''Universal Japanese Motorcycle'' or ''UJM.'' The Z1 was noted for combining elements available previously on numerous motorcycles, into a single motorcycle. Marketed variously as the Z900, 900 Z1 or 900 S4 ("Super Four"). the Z1 was the first Kawasaki's Z models. ==History== The Kawasaki Z1 was developed under the project name "New York Steak".〔〔 In the late 1960s Kawasaki, already an established manufacturer of two-stroke motorcycles, had begun prototyping a 750 cc four-cylinder four-stroke sports motorcycle working with McFarlane Design in 1969 to develop the bikes overall appearance. When Honda introduced the CB750 to the market first, Kawasaki postponed the Z1's release until its displacement could be increased to 903 cc and the motorcycle could be marketed in the 1000cc-class.〔 Z1 production began in 1972 as the most powerful Japanese 4-cylinder 4-stroke ever marketed. The Z1 featured full instrumentation and an electric start, produced 82 bhp and had a maximum speed of 130 mph (210 km/hr). It met with positive reviews from the motorcycle press, who praised its smoothness, damped vibration, easy-starting (kick-start and electric were both available), straight-line stability and linear acceleration. Steering was accurate and the bike handled well, but testers said the rear tire, chain and rear shocks all wore out quickly.〔 The Z1 was awarded the MCN 'Machine of the Year' accolade each year from 1973 to 1976 (an award resulting from a readers' opinion-poll run by UK weekly publication ''Motorcycle News'')〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Kawasaki official site )〕 The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan includes the 1972 Z1 as one of their ''240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology''. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Kawasaki Z1」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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