It is fresh in our minds that Kawasaki invested in the new Bimota in 2019. The KB4 will be released in Japan in 2022, and we look forward to more and more developments in the future.
In fact, Kawasaki and Bimota have had close ties since the company's inception, and the first parts produced were for the Z1 in 1972, the year after the Z1 debuted. Therefore, we have tried to reproduce the Z1 Bimota specifications of the early days with a CG based on the Z900RS. I would love to see it commercialized by the new Bimota!
The Kawasaki Z1 was a stepping stone to the development of the Bimota.
Bimota's first street model was the famous 1975 HB1, which was powered by a Honda CB750 Four engine, but in the beginning, the company entered the motorcycle business by manufacturing and selling special parts for Japanese motorcycles.
The Bimota parts produced in the fall of 1973 included box-shaped swing arms, adjustable handlebars and steps, fuel tank, seat, and tail cowl, and front and rear magnesium wheels, developed because the chassis of the Z1 and other Japanese models could not handle the power of the engine. The chassis of the Z1 and other Japanese models could not handle the power of the engine. It was intended for Kawasaki and Honda four-cylinder models.
Of these, the one with the largest number of parts was for the Kawasaki Z1, and the Z1 Bimota version completed with these parts looks just like the later HB1. The reason why this model was not released as KB1 is thought to be because, unlike HB1, it was a custom model with a standard frame.
This is a phantom KB0, but looking at it now, the style is just so cool. I would love to see the new Bimota reproduce it!
Advertisement for the Kawasaki Z1 Transformation Kit by Bimota. It lists a Chromoly steel swingarm, patented handlebar and footrest, FRP tank and seat cowl, and magnesium wheels. It seems to me that transformation = customization.
KAWASAKI 900 Super Four Z1. This model is a well-known legend. Compared to the Z1 Bimota version, the chassis may not have been able to fully utilize the maximum output of 82 PS. By the way, Seven Star Mag wheels for Z1 were reissued by Daytona in 2022 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the company.
This is what the Z900RS looks like when reproducing the first generation Z1 Bimota specifications
And, we wondered if it would be possible to reproduce the Z1 equipped with parts from Bimota's first foray into the motorcycle business on the modern Z900RS. This CG is the result of our one-sided hope that we could reproduce the Z1 with parts from the early days of Bimota's motorcycle business on the modern Z900RS. The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the Kawasaki Z series, and 2023 is the 50th anniversary of Bimota's motorcycle business. The celebration year will continue!
CG created by the editorial department based on the Z1 Bimota specifications, but please note that this is not an actual product. Based on the Z900RS, the frame and swingarm were also made by Bimota, and the name KB5 was chosen to reflect the assumption that this is the fifth model with a Kawasaki engine.
CG: SRD
KAWASAKI Z900RS 50th Anniversary. This model celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Z1.
The fireball color of the first generation Z1 is reproduced with a special painting process.
The commemorative logo on the top of the fuel tank and exclusive side cover emblems make this commemorative vehicle a fan favorite.
