1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 Z1R

1 OF ONLY 220 1978 KAWASAKI KZ1000 Z1R-TC/TC2 TURBOS EVER PRODUCED

This one is coming out of my private collection. It is a documented low-mileage original Black Molly TC-2. Myself and two international award-winning restoration experts spent over a year restoring her to absolute original museum quality (the correct grips were installed after photos). No expense was spared! Thank God my wife didn't see the expense list. Every nut, bolt, washer, bushing, and component was replaced with OEM or NOS parts or re-plated to exact OEM standards/specifications. Most of the bolts, screws, nuts, and washers are new old stock, as I have a very extensive "NOS" inventory, along with countless other parts.

This bike was owned and ridden in the South Florida area through the late 1980s. I actually worked on this bike at Kawasaki Suzuki of Ft. Lauderdale in 1987 (I was the chief mechanic). Then it made its way to another collector who kept it in a cool climate-controlled environment until I acquired it a few years ago.

If you are unaware of the history of the Z1R Turbo, in 1978 Kawasaki partnered with one of their former executives who had formed Turbo Cycle Corporation to create the world's first factory turbo motorcycle. Kawasaki's mission was to boost sales of the Z1R by making it the fastest bike of its time. In 1979, to further drive sales, Kawasaki contracted with Rollin "Molly" Sanders to come up with the sinister black paint scheme. Only 220 units from the 1978/1979 production run (some of the 1978 line came out as 1979 on the MSO/title) were produced in the second and final year.

ENGINE:
#006435 is the bike's original low-mileage engine that was upgraded with all the necessary mods back in the early '80s. I completely went through the engine to verify, inspect, and replace as needed. It has:
- A welded, balanced crankshaft
- Undercut transmission
- Upgraded oil pan
- Heavy-duty clutch assembly
- Forged pistons, new rings
- Performance valve job
- Shims under buckets
- APE hardware
- The Bendix carb and turbocharger/wastegate overhauled
- All new seals and gaskets
- New Dyna S ignition and new coils
- The exhaust was stripped and re-chromed to better-than-new specs

The engine runs like it did in 1979.

FRAME:
- Stripped and repainted to OEM specs
- Front forks rebuilt, lower legs refinished to OEM standards
- Rear shocks are NOS
- The "Molly Concepts" Black Molly paint is original but has been re-cleared to restore the deep luster
- Wheels were disassembled, repainted, and polished to OEM specs
- New Metzeler tires ("semi-period correct")
- Brakes completely overhauled
- Original seat in amazing condition
- Windscreen and seal are NOS, as are the levers, mirrors, and more components than I can list
- Correct, very hard-to-find NOS grips installed
- Features the rare and expensive NOS ATP boost gauge (the original had the usual cracked glass)

I have been collecting, restoring, fixing, riding, and racing motorcycles since graduating from the American Motorcycle Institute (AMI) in Daytona, FL, in 1980. I own three Black Molly TC-2s and two Blue TCs, but this is by far the nicest in my collection—worthy of being in the Barber Museum. I'm only selling it to motivate myself to restore the next one.

The last nicely restored Black Molly sold for over $38,000 on eBay a year or two ago. I believe my bike is an even better, more OEM-accurate restoration.

These limited-production models appreciate over 15% per year. Tell your wife it's a better investment than her jewelry, shoe, and handbag collection. :)

The bike can be viewed in person or via FaceTime or Skype.

TERMS:
- The balance is due via bank wire or cash within 3 days.
- I can store the bike for up to 90 days and work with your shipper (or recommend one).
- Please ask questions! I'm sure I left out something—we did so much!

ALSO INCLUDED:
- Original Turbo Cycle Corp. supplement (not a copy)
- Owner's manual
- Kawasaki document pouch
- Turbo Cycle Corp. Z1R-TC registration, warranty, and purchaser certification (dated 09/21/79)

Note: This bike was originally a South Florida bike, as previously stated. The buyer's information has been covered to protect their privacy. This document was recently sent to me by the holder of all the Turbo Cycle Corp.'s records, and I sincerely thank him for preserving those files.