This past January an ultra-rare 1974 Kawasaki Z2 750 hit the auction at Mecum Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas, Nev. and was covered extensively by Cycledrag. Unfortunately a problem with the V.I.N., prevented the authenticity of the motorcycle from being verified and the bike was not able to be sold. It was shipped back to the owner, who hopes to take steps to prove the bike is real.
In the meantime another Z2 is set to hit the auction block, this time in Strafford, England’s Staffordshire County Showground as part of Bonhams Spring Show. Here is more information on this incredibly rare motorcycle.
Having established its performance credentials with the Mach III two-stroke triple, Kawasaki went on to ace the opposition again with the awe-inspiring Z1. The model had been planned in 750cc form in the late 1960s but was beaten to the showroom by Honda’s CB750. Kawasaki’s proposed superbike already had two overhead camshafts to the Honda’s one, so its designers redrew the motor as a 900.
Launched in 1972 at the Cologne Show, the ‘Big Zed’ set new road-bike performance standards, at least as far as straight line speed was concerned. With 82bhp on tap, top speed was around 130mph, but if the rider used all that power on twisty roads, things could get exciting. As a fast tourer though, the Z1 excelled. Mildly revised, the model was renamed Z900 for 1976. Characterful in the extreme, these early ‘Big Zeds’ are served by an enthusiastic owners club and are increasingly sought after today. Few bikes from Japan have had as big an impact on the motorcycling world.
In January 1973 Kawasaki launched a 746cc version – the Z2 – specifically for the Japanese market, which was restricted at that time to motorcycles displacing less than 750cc. Reducing the Z1’s bore/stroke dimensions from 66x66mm to 64x58mm resulted in an engine with a greater appetite for revs and a still respectable maximum output of 69bhp, some 13 horsepower down on its big brother. Overall gearing was lowered appropriately.
An example of a classic Kawasaki rarely seen in the UK, this Z2 was first registered in this country on 22nd September 1983 and appears to be an earlier restoration (date unknown). The V5C states ‘Customs Concession: Visiting Forces’ – for advice contact HM Customs’, indicating the manner in which the vehicle entered the United Kingdom, the V5C records 4 former keepers. The HPI report records the previous colour as blue, and there is dirt to the engine cases, which appear to have been repainted.
The machine comes with one ignition key but it should be noted that this key does not seem to engage the saddle lock, which is presently unlocked. Accompanying documentation consists of a V5C Registration Certificate; some expired MoTs (most recent expired June 2018); and some insurance paperwork. It should be noted that the V5C records the engine number as ‘Z2E’ only. Recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent will be required following a period of activity and thus the machine is sold strictly as viewed.
Footnotes
This motorcycle was imported into the UK in 1983 through overseas armed forces channels and was subsequently given a ‘Customs Concession.’ If purchased by a UK buyer, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price per HMRC’s instruction. Once the Import VAT is settled, Bonhams will proceed to request HMRC and the DVLA remove the Customs Concession Note from the V5C Registration Certificate.
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