Kawasaki Z1R-TC Turbo one of the world's rarest bikes ultimate Jap classic bike!

Kawasaki Z1R-TC one of the world's rarest bikes For Sale (1978)

Hi there. I'm advertising a few of my best unrestored bikes and need to sell just one of them to make some space and free up some cash. You are looking at my 1978 Kawasaki Z1R-TC turbocharged machine. If you know your bikes. this will be one you're aware of. Kawasaki built only about 275 of these 'Black Molly' graphics bikes before they were withdrawn from sale for being too scary. They were sold without any sort of warranty and the owner's book informs you right at the beginning that you are probably not good enough to ride such a machine! Over 140bhp at the rear wheel. this machine goes from 70-120 in about three seconds and runs off the end of the speedo in top with ease. Completely unrestored. it was part of a collection in America before I brought it over. I wanted to keep it as original looking as possible. but with all the mechanical parts replaced or upgraded as required.   Kawasaki experts MTC in Reading went through the bike from front to back. rebuilding the forks. brakes. fitting new tyres. bearings. chain and sprockets etc  and I put about 500 shakedown miles on it before returning for a complete top end rebuild (valves. guides etc). using lower compression forged pistons ( from Orient Express in the USA) to help ensure reliability. I have receipts from them for about ?4000 and you are welcome to speak with the owner of the shop about the work undertaken. The sump has. I understand. the optional ATP baffle plate to resist oil surging under hard acceleration (i. e. always!) It's as good as it’s ever going to be. unless you start using modern carbs. electronics etc. which I have no intention of doing. Current displayed mileage is around 22K. but it has covered less than a thousand miles since being rebuilt. remember. everything from the crankcases up has been replaced and pretty much every seal and bearing on the cycle parts have been renewed.

This is a link to lots more photos of the turbo on my Flickr account. Feel free to look at some of my other bikes to get a flavour of my sort of thing.

https://flic. kr/s/aHsk7YKFjM

The first few pictures show the bike as it arrived from the USA at MTC in Reading. The workshop photos are self-explanatory and the ‘after’ shots are as it is currently.

 Faster than my Diavel in a straight line. it is a terrifying riding experience. and totally addictive. without doubt the most exciting bike you'll ever ride! The brakes are awful. it’s hopeless around town. taking five miles to warm up and run cleanly. and only then once you've spun it up through the boost zone to clear its throat. and exists only to go really fast in a straight line. Nearly all of these bikes were drag raced and are either in bits. or have been rebuilt countless times with non-stock parts. There are no pattern parts on my bike. apart from one indicator (broke in transit). the bike was owned from new by a now. prematurely-aged chap and had a rack fitted when it arrived! It even still has the kick start lever bolted under the seat.  Just to be clear. although I’ve used it to pootle into work on a few times. it’s really a bit of a beast around town. requiring regular throat-opening blasts to clear the system. lest it fouls a plug. This just isn’t possible. the bike is too fast. it really needs a wide open road and a sunny Sunday morning. Once the revs hit 6000 there’s a brief pause before the power triples and the TC launches itself at the horizon. using all three lanes in the process. The daddy of all turbocharged motorcycles makes more power than any of the later factory efforts; the XN85. XJ650T  CX650T are toys by comparison. although their road manners are somewhat improved! Even Kawasaki's later 750 turbo is slower than the mighty black Molley. It comes from a more liberated time and there will never be another bike quite like the Z1R-TC; perhaps you need to own one. I certainly did!

 A well-known machine. it is probably the only example available for sale in the world and certainly the best preserved. unrestored example you are likely to encounter.  Of the handful I've seen over the years. the majority have lost bits along the way. or were never real 'Molly's'  in the first place. Mine has the correct boost gauge. the unobtainable triangular air filter. correct fuel pump. proper turbo unit etc etc all the things you only get with the real thing. Featured in Classic Bike magazine. RealClassic magazine and a prize winner in the South of England Classic show at Ardingly. it is probably the ultimate Japanese bike. My price expectations are realistic for such a rare and exotic machine. but it ain’t cheap.   It is a reluctant sale. but I will consider a sensible. grown-up offer. I will only be advertising this once this year and if it doesn't sell will put it away until the summer. use it for a few weeks and re-advertise it next year for an extra three grand!  Dreamers keep on dreaming (dealers keep on dealing- it’s an age thing. you had to be there); I'd suggest they go find another for sale anywhere in the world. in any condition. much less one like this.

My TC is kept in West London and viewing is very welcome. I’d really like the space. but would always consider an interesting swap. but it will need to be unusual and collectable.   I quite fancy another CBX1000Z plus a large pile of cash. hint. Feel free to call me on 07774 921600. serious buyers invariably make contact and I can recommend the services of a man with a van should you require delivery. It's around ?100-?140 anywhere in the UK. I am happy to assist with delivery to a shipping port if that helps for overseas purchasers. but please. contact me first.  

The world seems to have gone mad when a common Z1 restored with pattern parts ( that ain't original folks!) sells for 17K. it makes this look like a bargain- well. almost.  I even have a 'man with a van' for deliveries and will assist with delivery to a port for overseas shipping.  Remember. everything is original on this bike- paint (which is faded in places and rather cool). hoses. grips. mirror. seat. it is NOT an over-restored. two-pack paint horror. I even have the original owners handbook book and turbo supplement. as well as the rosettes. plaques and magazines. Currently on SORN.  Be aware of what you are buying. this is a 160mph+ bike on forty year old suspension. with crap brakes and 20mpg. Boring. it's not.

Thank you for looking at my very long advert. I hope you enjoy the pictures and like the TC. Even if you don't bid. it's a great bike. yes?

Also published at eBay.com