The Kawasaki Z1 Story

Just as Kawasaki was about to green-light the world’s first mass-produced across-the-frame four-cylinder motorcycle, Honda pulled the rug out from under the project by unveiling the CB750-4 at the Tokyo Show in 1968, and lighting the fuse for what was to become motorcycling’s most explosive decade.In never before published interviews with the men responsible for the bike, code-named ‘New York Steak,’ Dave Sheehan relates the story behind the Z1’s development; the secret US testing programme in which a team, including Imola-race winner Paul Smart, rode pre-production bikes disguised as Hondas coast-to-coast across America.The Kawasaki Z1 Story examines the myth, truth and legend surrounding the Z1’s first race win – of which even Kawasaki knew nothing. Here, too, is the full story of the epic three days at Florida’s legendary Daytona Speedway when a trio of Z1s broke more than 50 speed endurance records.

A fascinating read. South East Biker Magazine with the pedigree of the first hand sources, this book has more accurate information about the birth and early days of the Z1 than you're likely to find anywhere else ... a fascinating book Z1 Owners Club newZletter Ian Fleming's James Bond franchise has nothing on Dave Sheehan's telling of the saga of the creation of the Kawasaki Z1. Ultimate MotorCycling a fascinating story Bike Rider Magazine A cracking good buy at GBP14.99 for a trip back in time when the launches of new bikes were actually exciting! Ian Kerr. The Kawasaki Z1 was baptised with the last letter of the alphabet to symbolise the definitive decantation of the motor vehicle as it was conceived in the decade of the 70s. On planes, the four high performance cylinders was known as the New York Steak, a much more succulent name. The Z1 was the first mass production sports bike, the first to offer DOHC distribution, the fastest motorcycle of all. Includes more then 100 never-been-seen-photos, and reveals the myths and truths of the Z1S featured in Daytona 1975. - La Moto.

Dave Sheehan is a freelance writer and illustrator. His work has appeared in DC Thomson’s 'The Dandy' and 'The Topper' and featured in magazines such as 'Classic Bike.’ Dave is the author of 'Superbikes and the ‘70s' – the story of Britain and Japan’s race to launch the first multi-cylinder superbike of the modern era. Dave is a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, owning and restoring both British and Japanese bikes. He has owned the same 1975 Z1-B for over three decades.Dave is married, with two daughters. Born in Liverpool, he now lives in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

Just as Kawasaki was about to green-light the world's first mass-produced across-the-frame four-cylinder motorcycle, Honda pulled the rug out from under them, unveiling the CB750-4 at the Tokyo Show in 1968. It lit the fuse for what was to become motorcycling's most explosive decade. In never before published interviews, with the men responsible for the bike code-named 'New York Steak,' Dave Sheehan relates the story behind the Z1's development; the secret US testing programme in which a team including Imola-race winner Paul Smart rode pre-production bikes disguised as Hondas coast-to-coast across America. The Kawasaki Z1 Story examines the myth, truth and legend surrounding the Z1's first race win - of which even Kawasaki knew nothing. Here, too, is the full story of the epic three days at Florida's legendary Daytona Speedway when a trio of Z1s broke more than 50 speed endurance records.

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