Kawasaki to reproduce Z1 parts

While the four-cylinder 900cc/1000cc Z1 is one of the great classic motorcycles and enjoys a devoted following globally to this day, the Z2 is much less well known, being a 750cc, Japanese market-only model.

To support the ongoing popularity of these models, Kawasaki will start remanufacturing cylinder heads to suit both. The initial commitment is to produce just 1,000 copies of these cylinder heads and only offer them to the Japanese market, but this total may increase and overseas sales may be added if the demand is there.

A dedicated sales website - heritage-parts.khi.co.jp/en/ - for these heritage parts is now live, with actual sales to begin in 2020. The heads will only be available from this website and not from Kawasaki dealerships.

According to KHI, the reproduction cylinder heads will be made using current manufacturing methods, but based on original Kawasaki part design plans and specifications.

The heads will come complete with camshaft brackets, tappets, valves and peripheral parts, but will not include camshafts, cylinder head covers or gaskets.

The heads will feature the M8 exhaust-pipe-attachment stud bolt dimensions from later models, but will not fit the post-1979 KZ1000 MkII and other "square head" models, which feature a cylinder head cover that is slightly thicker.

Based on the reception to this first offering, KHI will look at reproducing other out-of-stock parts, not just for the Z1, but for other historical models in the Kawasaki catalogue.

Go to heritage-parts.khi.co.jp/en/ for a compatibility chart and further details.