Rare 1978 Z1 Kawasaki Z1R-TC Turbo Mint One Owner Original

[@jro341]

That thing is baddass!

[@trevnuts1456]

Nice ride I got 75 Z1 r 900 an a 79 kz1000 that me an my dad bought to ride together but he didn’t end up getting a chance to ride is he came down with spinal and kidney cancer so he spent three years trying to beat the cancer an we never did get a chance to take them out and ring their necks together but I will never sell both of these bikes. They will be Road and well taken care of till my pass and then they go to my boy then he can do whatever he wants with them, but until then I’m gonna be a ring in their neck every summer, and looking up on my pops giving him two thumbs up and sharing the bikes with my boy going to be a awesome summer. I love that bike you should get every penny out of that bike that you’re asking for.

[@rondj1965]

History right here. I was 13 years old in 1978 and I had posters and sales brochures of the KZ1000, Z1R and the LTD all over my bedroom walls. This is a beautiful motorcycle. Excellent job.

[@ar2043]

Man, when you did the ride demo from about 2:15 through the rest, it just sounds so damn smooth and tight and right! All of your stuff usually does, but this one just seemed like it was absolutely Factory fresh and perfect. Not a hiccup or a clankity-clank… Nothing except perfect smoothness is the only way I can describe it. What a wonderful and factory fresh scoot!!!

[@onecookieboy]

I saw one of these at my local Kawasaki dealer (Jack Fitzpatric Motorcycles) in New Plymouth, New Zealand in the late 70's, they had the Turbo parked next to a dark metalic green KZ1300 (the 6 cylinder). I think they had half of that small town come through their doors just to have a look at the two biggest and most powerful motorcycles on the planet at the time. Great memories. Good luck with the auction, the new owner will be a lucky person, I hope they treat it with the care and respect it deserves.

[@nikolaservis]

Kawa Z1300 and Honda Cbx 1000:)

[@octagoloaner]

That turbo tune through the gears is really something else what a weapon rare classic beauty right there

[@gorn9161]

Love that bike! The small local Kawi dealer had one in the window, and I remember me and my friends drooling all over it. It's still stunning. Thanks for letting people hear what it sounds like🎵

[@txrick4879]

Same here we lusted over that bike but we just could not afford one .

[@expandingknowledge8269]

In my humble opinion, this bike is a testament to why Kawasaki is light years ahead of other production motorcycles. Truly, Kawasaki let's the good times roll.

[@korymanuel8682]

Merry Christmas to the Kaplan family

[@georgiaguardian4696]

The vintage performance look is amazing. And the sound and the power backs it up. This could be the only one in this mint condition in the world. This is a collector bike.

[@whiskeythrottle8680]

When Kaplan won’t redline a bike its that mint 🤘🏼🔥

[@richardcabitto5108]

1000 percent noticed!! Lol!

[@577buttfan]

He started rip snortin it a little more after a while lol ;)

[@jimhaynie4894]

Man!!! That is one sweet Naw! To my ears, there is no better sound than a properly tuned, big -bore inline four.

[@512bb]

Wow, a blast from the past, my best friend had the classic silver blue 77, so his brother had to one up him by getting the TC. Back then the Z1R's were so cutting edge, although still awesome they look so vintage compared to the contemporary superbikes. A great piece of history indeed, good luck to you.

[@TheNobbynoonar]

That machine is a work of art and engineering combined. Guaranteed to draw admiring looks and put a smile on the riders face- priceless!

[@hottotty13]

My dream bike. Z1r’s in general. Finally got to ride one a few months back. Soooo comfortable and looking down at that coffin gas tank…💚

[@joegilly1523]

Holy crap Ken that’s sweet. Merry Christmas everyone.

[@allan1548]

Loved the 78 tanks the best..turbos are a blast .. had a red 750 turbo kawi.. this is a beauty esp with that kawai quarter fairing

[@weirbrook]

The standard Z1 was a fantastic machine and this is just awesome 👍.

[@thomaslouis5626]

Back in the late 80's we were hanging out at my friends house enjoying a few brews and talking bikes and hot rods. His dad suddenly says: Hey remember that bike I had at piccatiny arsenal in north jersey? Well I sold it. It was strange because the first person who showed up bought it for $500 immediately, didn't start it either, loaded onto his pick up truck and left quick. My friend says "Dad what bike?" His dad then says it had a fairing, Kawasaki Z something . Then we asked was it a ZR1? YES he says! That's it, why? We both literally spit our beers out we were beyond shocked and mad

[@lyledubois8969]

An aircraft mechanic /friend sent me pics of one he found parked in an airplane hanger for last 30 years. Beautiful bikes

[@mikellewis2346]

Wow I grow up haven to know every motorcycle they made back in the 80s when I was a kid, and I've never seen this bike. Just wow!!. My uncle's owned motorcycle shop's and drag raced kz900 an kz1000 and I loved them. Peace of art!

[@joeMW284]

That thing looks like so much fun. The whistle from the turbo really adds to it.

[@kimrice394]

Dream Bike!!! It literally sounds brand new! Even the clutch sounds brand new!

[@500erider]

What a treat, to see one of these up close. Thanks, Kaplan Cycles. I could never afford it, but just to see one on video is priceless !!!!!!!!

[@warfivevy0neMachines]

Z1RTC engines are perfection at there time were built to the highest standard a late friend of mine use to drag race in pro stock class tragically passed away few years back on the drag strip testing/ This bike is the only 1 have ever seen in standard spec. Way less than 1000 were made the real number was under 200 the bike is extremely Rare, you should keep.

[@cavscout62]

Haven’t seen one of these since the early ‘80’s and it sure brings back good memories.

[@pinabruno-grieve763]

Kawasaki forever!

[@kalaharimine]

Wow, what a beaut & gorgeous sound!

[@大嶋秀之-e9x]

渋い！素敵！私もこのオートバイ大好きで探しているところですが、なかなか良い車両がありません。いやーカッコいい！カラーリングもセンスがよい。カワサキらしさが、溢れています。

[@Евпатийколоврат-с7щ]

Good choice 🤠

[@gmoriano]

The Toe Cutter would be so proud 🤛

[@ccrider3435]

Beauty is in the throttle hand of the operator! 🤩

[@txrick4879]

At that time owning one was a dream most of us could not afford . Great find .

[@1985_Honda_CRX_Si]

Beautiful motorcycle and very nice preservation

[@bigg16]

Beautiful Machine!👌

[@jakebrake1968]

my dad had one... pulled the baffle, cranked the boost.... that bike was insane!

[@skip741x3]

That engine sounds so tight and factory fresh! 1st time ive ever heard of one of these!

[@billdennis2993]

Happy New Year Kaplans tx for an informative and entertaining video of a beautiful time capsule from '70s FWIW I came back from serving in Vietnam and bought early '73 road and raced it for 2myrs & 50k mikes and was called into DMV was told turn in your bikes plate or your DL for too many points. Sold the bike to a buddynwho lost his licensen in 6mos. Always wanted a Z1 TC but wife and kids were hugher priority. Now retired at 70 yrs young and have Ducati Multistrada 1200PP and KTM 525 but still miss the Z1 it was the King of the road in it's day.

[@loathing138]

That's a beautiful machine! WITNESS!!

[@MerrittW]

Owned a Z11 was a jet, is the one bike I should never had let go.

[@jorgeventura8911]

This motorcycle is incredible, it is a masterpiece, how well cared for it is, congratulations, greetings from Mexico

[@vironpayne3405]

I saw a new one back in the day as teen. It was silver and the owner flat got on it leaving the convience store I was at. I heard him for over well over 3 miles. I heard him on Merritt Island go north SR3, get on SR528, and get US1 in Cocoa and head north.

[@tangledline]

MAN! I wish I could just work there to be there. So many classics. Thank you.

[@airtek4809]

Merry Christmas Kap,and family

[@ricardotomaso7069]

What a fabulous bike. Beautiful.

[@arndschockemohle1478]

I was fourteen in 1977 when the Z1R appeared in Germany. Best looking bike ever, i think. I never forgot. Okay, today we knew that the Z1R was weak, had not enough Power, the fueltank was to small and it was much to heavy. New bikes with 600cc make everything better. But no bike since 1978 was better designed than the first, early Z1R with the small fueltank (11 Liter?) and the first, small handlebar hood an the small 4-1 exhaust which was later changend against 4-4 because of the lost Power with 4-1. The first Models had only 72 PS on the dyno and each 100Km you needed fueling but no bike ever looked better in my opinion. (Excuse me for ruining your language.).

[@mikescaffo4850]

That is a sweet sweet ride whoever is lucky enough to get this one will be a happy 😊 happy 😊 person

[@Kram2525]

My local Honda dealer (Schaller's in Kingston, NY) had one of these in their showroom for almost a year before it sold. I had a Honda CM400T and my buddy had a Honda Hawk. We'd stop there a few times a week and just stare at the KZ1000 LTD's and CR250's. Brings back fond memories!

[@jethrox827]

I remember this period where you'd also see bolt on turbo kits for Honda F2 and Z900s, it was a bit mystical seeing a turbo on a bike in those early days.

[@markmarkie1950]

​@old man strength Wasn't aware of that Will research it thank you. Happy New Year Ride Safe 👍

[@markmarkie1950]

@old man strength Oh wow thank you soo much for your time I've been loving bikes for over 40yrs but wasn't aware of the turbo honda at all ? I'm from the UK so they possibly weren't sold in this country, I will research this ASAP ? I love to marvel at bikes I couldn't own as I'm only 5ft6, too small for any 1000cc over 15 yrs old as way too heavy for me to throw about but marvel at any super bikes too heavy for me to own .... Thank you for your time dude Have fun Ride safe 👍 Edit : Yep, just researched them there are some for sale in the UK , can't have been popular at the time or I'd have seen them ? Lovely looking TURBO bike Wish i was 10 stone heavier!!!

[@raymundogt2634]

@old man strength CX500turbo Honda V2 .the 6million dollar bike I believe was called. Then yamaha came with 650 Seca Turbo.The concepts war different. More luxury sport than a race.

[@chriscarbaugh3936]

@FITNESSOVER45No actually that was the CX650, which was not really that great V-twin lump

[@chriscarbaugh3936]

And then there was a Turbo Yamaha Seca and the Sukuzi XN 85 and later the Kz750 Turbo! 👍

[@Encourageable]

My brothers friend had one of these back in 1980 but the non turbo version. He had Kerker headers on it. It sounded so good. And back then it was crazy fast. This and the CBX were so cool then.

[@Frank_999Scoobydooby]

those stripes are classic 70's fever

[@killacoiler1707]

I had a GPZ 750 turbo in the late 80s and never knew that they made a Z1 TC. I also had a none turbo Z1000 that was lowered and stretched out that a fella had started building a drag bike out of. It was plenty fast without being turbo charged so I can only imagine what really grabbing a wristful on that beauty would be like. That GPZ 750 turbo was no slouch in its own right and if I'm being honest was probably one of the sketchiest bikes I ever owned. The biggest issue being that it just didn't have enough tire out back to effectively transfer the power to the ground. If I had that bike today and could set it up with a 190 or 200 series tire out back it would be a force to be reckoned with. I am willing to bet it would have given many a 1 liter bikes of the day a good run. Anyhow, sweet piece of history that some lucky soul should feel blessed to have the opportunity to own in museum quality condition.

[@georgefraserjr1329]

Man that thing is so badass,been on my motorcycle bucket list for many years,just wish I could afford one

[@scrappyhustler7467]

Merry Christmas to Ken all the mechanics and shop workers sales associates and family!

[@jdimmler]

She sounds amazing!😍

[@davidhong9112]

Back in the 80's, I had an 81 KZ750. Some old man, a machinist looked at my bike and told me he better tank, he shows up with that exact tank, exact same graphic but didn't say "turbo" on it. I bought it from him, and it made the bike looked so much better.

[@blainehouser4354]

Absolutely Beautiful Bike!

[@saltdaemon4453]

Real nice bike... front tire is mounted backwards.

[@Mike-jv4rz]

It's just amazing 💖 A work of art ...

[@marksfarmcraft1888]

I've always loved the big KZ's. I bought a used 1976 KZ 900 with 1600 miles on it in 78. Put a Kerker on it and it was good to go for about 200k miles! Yes, that's right, me and the two guys after, put over 200,000 miles on that bike. Such great memories! Also owned an 80 KZ750 and KZ1000 MK II. Owned the MK II for many years and put 100k on that bike. Of course, many bikes after and to date. 🙂 Thanks much for sharing!!!

[@jaydee5926]

Wow. What a beauty. Not sure that original 45 year old brake lines are a good thing but I am sure that whoever gets / got this bike will be very happy with it. I just hope it gets ridden a bit more. What an amazing find.

[@ronnorman1367]

Back in the day that bike was a beast still is in my opinion

[@curlytheunacceptable.4298]

Stunning machine.

[@juniorcopeland9082]

What a great find, And very rare !!! I bought a brand new 1978 Kaw. LTD when I was employed at a dealer...wish I would have never sold that bike !!!

[@Vlad4949]

She sounds sweet bud! You may want to turn on the headlight when you're out ripping on it so nobody pulls out in front of you.

[@kwakiherman6790]

Huh awesome riding, shifting and whistling! Thanks

[@ianrussell2816]

That bike is awesome , absolutely love it ♥️ 👍

[@matauboy]

At least three of these were imported into NZ. I know of two in museums and I'd sometimes see one going past my house on a fine Saturday morning.

[@TonyNapoli]

I remember these, took one for a ride around PIR in 1980 when it had the longest straight on the west coast; the one I rode had a nice steering stabilizer 😉

[@schlottsseafood8781]

Way before it's time, I was stuned with your test ride, suspension looks smooth too. Thanks Sr

[@EnergyXyz]

Def the most beautiful turbo bike coming from factory

[@superblastpressurewashing.7256]

Love this, great content. I love all 3 of my Kawasaki's. let the good times roll.

[@bobvido9875]

Its a friggin cool bike! the Z1r is my favourite Kawasaki and i like the 70s z900-1000 Kawas too. I owned a 1980 Z1000 mk2. With a kickstart 😍

[@Stevo736]

Happy Christmas to the Kaplan Family. Ken that bike must be in the top 10 of rarest bikes you have found along the way. I saw the last clip on it and it really is something truly special.😁👍🎄🍺❤

[@ronaldrussell5481]

Sir Douglas Quintet put it best: "She's about a mover now!!"

[@ikramchaudry1359]

first superbike if am not wrong by the styling and tech. Legendary

[@oldguyBMX]

Wow I have owned 70s and 80s KZ 1000s most my adulthood life. I'm 49 now and currently own 2 LTD1000. My dream bike is this bike! To damn bad I can't afford it lol. Beautiful bike man thanks for breaking my heart. Lol

[@scottieray]

It's super cool now...just imagine what riding this was like when it on sale as new. Wow. What a Ride.

[@nemozack3767]

Looks like riding a rocket?

[@johnsmith-up2of]

Those bikes were insane. I remember you could not get insurance for them or any other turbo bike

[@roadhog5384]

Tight paint job, I have a 80 KZ Z1R Viper blue, love the tank that’s style!

[@ChiefRickyRC]

This bike nailed it 🙌

[@MikeyStayBrutal]

that’s a sharp looking bike, badass factory turbo.

[@dalebirbeck5344]

Absolute animal from the past. Never be another that beats the rest by so much......

[@jamtardio]

Wow like you said time capsule. What a rare machine, looks very nice. I once owned a 1978 Z1R those came in that blue green color no '79 yr model then returning in 1980 black colored only, mine ended up painted black and it was a very fun bike to ride I had the non turbo and after an upper end rebuilt it got 48 mpg. I lived in the PHX area then and out on the open highways it was like having a time machine it was fast. PS I still have an '82 J2 ELR clone I miss the 78's kick starter. 👍😁

[@kenweis7913]

Talk about a work of art

[@troymattingly3071]

Idles, smoother than can be expected, true Kawasaki. Top RPM's would sound like music!💯

[@KaplanCycles]

No doubt

[@kenjuicekrajewski9577]

They came with a horrible carb the updated mukuni makes it so sweet

[@davidc4737]

I had78 Z1R non turbo version ...great bike, dealer had 50 of them in stock when i went to buy mine ))😁 Happy New Year to Kaplan Cycles !🎉

[@raymundogt2634]

The first time I saw that model no turbo I was in Italy on vacation..felt in love inmidiatly. Being a Honda loyal fun all my life. That day I felt traidor 😆those Z1 900 / 1000. ZIR with little faring or. Not faring...clAssics for ever .

[@jayjohnson3305]

Kawasaki for life that one's a Classic Azzkicking Beauty..

[@fredlamond3288]

Merry Christmas !!!

[@kiddcisco]

There is a new one in box in Ontario Canada still I believe at a dealer that now is HD, originally a Kawi dealer. I remember going to see it on our bikes w buddies as a teenager and just going Cool ole piece of history"WOW" Good ole fly bys!!

[@William-Bill-Munny]

If I had endless money and space there would be a delivery truck going back and forth between Kaplan's place and my home in Oregon. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - - -> Too bad you guys missed the bikes checking in, oh MAN what a sight! Husquavarnas, Yamahas, DMZs...Kawasakis! Maicos! Pursangs! Swedish Fireballs!...a couple of Triumphs here and there, a CZ, all very, very fast. *Very*.

[@specialse]

Outstanding !!! and being ridden as well as it should be , some ones going to be very pleased to own this .

[@georgekefallinos8120]

wow that's amazing i didn't know this bike existed

[@tdflooringtd]

Harley man my whole life, but damn that's cool AF. That pipe is sick. Vintage slick

[@peteodonnell4494]

merry xmas ken and family thanx for all the great videos !

[@aceofspades5786]

Lovely pipework.

[@kwaka140]

Still got my turbo Z in the garage. Turbo '73 engine in a McIntosh frame using Z1Rtc bits. Was a young lads dream bike and built with ALL the bits

[@bananafoneable]

This bike is a WINNER

[@williamcarr1148]

Sounds fantastic for back in the day. Beast

[@73macrino]

Merry CHRISTmas Kap family!!

[@KaplanCycles]

Same to you!

[@Shopsmith10er]

Beautiful condition! These are cold blooded and really need to warm up before getting on the boost. Riding in the rain with that K&N filter is a non welcomed 'water cooling injection' (pun).