Kawasaki Z750 B1 TWIN 

 

This 1976 Kawasaki Z750 is a B1 model powered by Kawasaki’s 746 cc twin cylinder overhead cam engine. This model replaced the 2 stroke Z750 triples of the early 70’s as the larger smoky 2 strokes were being replaced with 4 stroke equivalents for the American market. 

 The “Lonesome Twin” as these Z750’s are called did not sell well in any market and consequently there are fewer and fewer of these classic  70’s motorcycles around.  There is however a thriving online community catering to the owners of these Kawasakis in all their forms, as they were manufactured in various guises  from 1976 until the early 80’s when the 4 cylinder 750 cc engine was introduced. 

 This Z750 twin was purchased in 2006 as a non-runner with many parts missing or broken. Getting it running was the easy bit as with fresh petrol it started after a few kicks on the kick starter as the electric start didn’t work. However the bent forks and seized brakes had to be replaced / repaired to get it roadworthy.  

After it was roadworthy it has broken down twice which took a new ignition coil and new alternator  windings to get it going again. Since then it has been reliable and just a little cosmetic work has been carried out including a replacement rev counter and a left hand side panel and badges. This is an ongoing project to improve the bike but it is still ridden as often as possible.