In February of 1974, just before graduating high school, I bought a brand new Z-1. Best motorcycle I ever owned. I was like a Timex " took a licking and kept on ticking ".  You could do a complete top end job on the engine and never drop it from the frame. In December of 77, a girl made a left hand turn in front of me and I spent the next 13 months, learning how to walk again. Sure do miss that bike.

The Zed 1 - 900 is one of the best bikes ever made.

My friend and neighbor Kent graduated high school in 1974. In 75, he bought a brand new Z1. He kept it immaculate, and still has it. His daily driver became a 76 Datsun pickup, that he drove till it rusted to the ground, around 2010. His high school car was a 68 GTO, which he still has. Kent doesn't sell ANYTHING.

I had a 1975 Z1B. Easy to ride, fast as heck, 100% reliable, and a girl magnet. Best bike I ever had.

I toured all over the western US on my ‘73 Z1. I still have it, it’s sitting in my garage 30 feet from where I’m sitting now.
My Z1 was relieved of duty by a 1984 750 Turbo (the most beautiful motorcycle ever made) and now my street duties are performed by a strong and lovely GPZ1100. 😊

The scene from "Mad Max", where the guy is doing "doughnuts", then pulls into a screaming wheelie; THAT was a Z-1. Badass.

Nicest looking bike ever made in my opinion 👌👌

Still got a z1a, bought it mid 90's as I always promised myself one when I could afford one! Never regretted a moment, wonderful machine!

RIP Stormin Norman Devine

Actually the most beautiful bike ever built

The CB750 didn't become "defunct", as you put it, until Honda went to liquid cooling.  The CB750 had a long career as a Universal Japanese Motorcycle into the 1980's.  The GS750 was a similarly great bike.  They work well they are smooth and very reliable.  Two of the best ever.

I remember it well.  In 74 I was 15 years old, a freshman in high school, couldn't drive yet, enrolled in drivers ed.  Everyone in the neighborhood rode dirt bikes.  Enduros and motocross dominated our riding.  Owning a hot 125cc dirt bike was a badge of respect. One of the older kids, a senior, lusted after a Z1.  So all we piled into his car and drove to the Kawasaki dealer a few towns away to see one in the flesh.  Even though everyone was already used to the fantastic Honda CB750 by then, the Z1 was still impressive.  It was absolutely gorgeous, a truly intimidating beast.   To a kid who road a 125cc dirt bike and thought that a 250cc or 500cc motocross race bike  was the epitome of cool and speed (Roger De Coster was God!), a DOHC 900cc 4 cylinder bike was insane.  I remember thinking who would be crazy enough to ride this thing and live.  The Kawasaki H2 Mark IV  2 stroke had already built a fearsome reputation and this Z1 was apparently faster.  I had zero interest in owning or riding a street bike, let alone a rocket like the Z1.  Like a 10 year old who says he hates girls, little did I know that 10 years later I would be riding liter bikes on the street and a Ninja would seem a normal bike to me.  I'm sure that all those years of dirt riding gave me the balance and skills that kept me alive on the street.  The 70's were an amazing time to be a rider.

It was a icon and still is ........ Beautiful in every way

I had a Z900 (1975 ?)  in the U.K. I bought the bike in 1977 for 600 U.K pounds.  If I remember correctly they made 80hp and around 135 mph was the top speed.  My Z900 was the same colours as the one at 11.15 in the video.

the cb 750 is why the  Z-1 is here .  i was  12 years old  it was glorious .

My first new motorcycle purchase was the 1973 (first year) Kawasaki Z1.  I plunked down 2 grand and road home smiling from ear to ear.  Yes, I loved this bike. The fastest I ever went on a bike was on this machine at 124mph. I wish I still owned it today.

Own an Oct/72 build, bought the bike from my dad when I was 18. I'm now 58 and being from Canada don't get to ride much. The bike is just an incredible piece..
Love the video. Well done.

They were really nice machines, some of the color schemes were perfect

In the mid 80’s I was on a road trip and not impressed with the range of my pretend Harley (Yamaha xv750) so swapped it for a green Kwaka z900 which turned into a decade long obsession  with this model.  One my first ride I spent 6 hrs in the “zone” doing 100mph+ riding home at night from an interstate trip in freezing temps. It was a surreal otherworldly experience that I will never forget. Frankly, I’m surprised I’m still alive.

As close to a perfect design as I have ever seen. Flawless.