| MODEL | KAWASAKI Z1 1972 |
| Year | 1972 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 903 cc / 55.1 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 66 x 66 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 8.5:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Max Power | 82 hp / 59.8 kW @ 8500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 73.5 Nm / 54.3 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm |
| Ignition | Battery and coil |
| Induction | 4 x 28 mm Mikuni VM28SC |
| Start System | Electric & kick |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | Wet sump, trachoid pump |
| Gear Box | 5-speed |
| Clutch | Wet, multi-plate |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Double tubular steel cradle |
| Front Suspension | 36 mm telescopic forks |
| Rear Suspension | Dual shock, 5-way preload adjustment |
| Front Brakes | Single 296 mm disc, 2-piston caliper |
| Rear Brakes | 200 mm drum |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | 2209.8 mm / 87.0 in |
| Overall Width | — |
| Overall Height | — |
| Seat Height | 812.8 mm / 32.0 in |
| Wheelbase | 1498.6 mm / 59.0 in |
| Ground Clearance | 170 mm / 6.75 in |
| Dry Weight | 230 kg / 507 lbs |
| Wet Weight | 247.6 kg / 546 lbs |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 3.25 H19 |
| Rear Tyre | 4.00 S18 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 18 Litres / 4.7 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | 48 mpg (average) |
| Top Speed | 217 km/h / 135 mph |
Kawasaki's 903 cc air-cooled DOHC four, launched in 1972 as an answer to Honda's CB750. It combined a large four-stroke engine with a double-cradle steel frame and disc brake at the front, and the page credits it with starting the superbike era. Performance and smooth power delivery were its main draw.
