1974 Kawasaki Z1 Dragbike in 1985 "Old Zs Never Die!"

[telsport]

What track is this? Looks like a fine hometown sort of place. I am sure the machine ran at one of my events.

Tom Loughlin Jr

DRAGBIKE! ISA

[modprod]

@telsport yes thats Osceola Dragway in Osceola,IN. yes I did run some of your races Tom and set records. I also won your Louisville (Ohio Valley) race in 86 and set a records of 5.97@116 1/8th and at that time was the quickest an fastest "Modified" in Dragbike regardless of displacement. Mark MacIntosh and Steve Miles of M&M Racing sponsored me

[seabee12333]

Dude, Z1s are the shit. My first bike was a '75 900, that had a 1015 kit. fuckin' thing still makes me wake up with my heart in my throat, when I think about it. I gotta take exception to the Hardly/zuki thing, tho... I like all bikes, from Yamaha 2 strokes, H2s, HDs, Trail 50s. If it's got two wheels, it's good.

[Kneedragon1962]

Beautiful. I have a '09 ZX14, and that's still a little faster than a really good drag racer could do on my bike stock.

[citrusbowl100]

wow 9.50 ,,,25 years ago sounds fast what back tire was you using

[dragbike52]

those Zs/ KZs are great bikes, owned mine for 15yrs. so far. 1075cc, .425 Web cam, VM33 smoothbore s/g bike. Best e.t. so far is 9.66 @ 136. No turbo, nitrous, big block, etc.

[modprod]

Norris .448-.440

[dragbike52]

what brand and size cams in this bike?

[modprod]

@MrPokeyd The "good ol' days"

[MrPokeyd]

Nice video of the old days. I had a very similar setup old school Kaw 1045cc with homemade 34 Mikuni's that I ran In Dragbike and NMRA. Best was a 9.41 @ 136+ with same 640# weight as you. Top end was done by Rick Stetson. I remember those days with adding weight, CC chk and all that. I miss those modified days. Now I have a old school 77 Kaw S/C bike I play with now and then.

[newdrewphillips]

Are there people who still hop-up these motors on these old dino bikes? Where would they be located? I'd love to whip on some Hayabusa Butt w one of these dinosaurs. Way to ride!!! Cheers

[modprod]

@newdrewphillips @newdrewphillips Lots of people still building theses motors and bikes! and plenty of enthusiasts still enjoying these old bikes. Here's a place with many links to parts and services and pics. must signup to access most of it. You are welcome to come and join. google wwz1z900oc.multiply.com/

[Tyler1369er]

@newdrewphillips yep im here lol i have a back halved and slight rake in the front 87 kz1000 but ive got a lockup clutch air shifted an old rayj turbo running 17psi 10 inch tire bike 1268cc personal best at bakersfields famoso dragstrip 7.80 178.26 mph my dad used to own a funnybike that still runs a kz motor with mk II stuff sold it awhile back but i still have mine and no 1 is coming close to me besides pro mod bikes haha hayabusas suck!!!!

[219ryda4Lyfe]

Thats bout thee fastest Kaw i eva seen!..

[modprod]

@219ryda4Lyfe Thanks, not too bad for a 1045 motor 25 years ago

[modprod]

Indiana

[219ryda4Lyfe]

@modprod You in indiana?

[machz111]

Where is this Drag strip located?

[topgas923]

modprod- How in the world did we live back in the day with no 2 steps or fancy ignitions? The roll on launch really brought back memories for me. I remember racing in Tulsa, OK, in 1987, on a bike exactly like yours, with a 1170 motor, mild head, 3x Andrews cams (.417 lift), 33 smoothbores, lock up clutch, and foot shifting, and that bike went 10.13 (don't remember the mph). These tapes really shake up the memory banks! Thanks! LG. Kansas.

[modprod]

@topgas923Thanks Some guy's can't launch without a 2-step in racing today. Ah yes you remember good. By this time I had enough power I couldn't just hammer it on the leave and expect it to ET especially on my home track? But as bad as it was it taught me to ride better and prepared me for bike only nationals where the taction was rarely optimum.

[jifrocks]

I ride an '05 ZRX1200. Just getting started on the strip. Kudos to you, that bike is AMAZING. Good to see a 'pure' bike like this... so much of the electronics now take the ride away from the rider.

[modprod]

@jifrocks Thanks I know youl will have a great time setting up, tuning and racing your bike just as I did 30+ years ago. Passion is what it is and doesn't realize an era or period. just that you do the best you can!

[cheater5tx]

This is just a awesome video!

[topgas923]

Good pass. Reminds me of my first Z1 based dragbike. My 2nd motor ran 9.40s @ 138. That was in 1989. My bike today is a Koenig Pro Mod ZX12, 10.5" car tire. 1500cc, Vortex II cylinder head, Web Cam camshafts, 46mm Lectron carburetors. MTC slider clutch. This bike has no turbo or nitrous and has been 8.13@ 161 mph. Old Kawasakis never die!

[modprod]

@topgas923 We love our old bikes but no doubt 35 years newer should be faster? I was stuck in early 80s thinking when a "big motor" was a 1200! ha I never said I was smart!......marty

[modprod]

Thanks again everyone! These old Z motors had there day! The design was proven over and over again. and derivatives of that original design still rule professional bike dragracing in TF,FB and PS. Suzuki guys hate to admit that but that is their derivative of that original design!

Actually the Z motor design was kawasakis derivative of the Offenhauser design which was a derivative of the Miller design. These old Z motors have a very similar sound like an old (50s and 60s) Indy Offy. Go figure?

[erroneousapostrophe]

Sweet Zed Nine! Please be mine!

[lol8720]

that sounds brand new :D

[eyesea69]

Righteous! I've had more fun on my Z's than anything else.

[kaveebee]

ONE WORD SAYS IT ALL: GREAT!

[modprod]

Thanks guys! I've had a blast with my old Z. It's taken me places and done things that I couldn't even imagine 35 years ago....Mod

[MatManGMS]

Very nice, looks like a hoot to ride and sounds awesome. Love the kwakas :D

[modprod]

Thanks! Check out the other version of this with Lisa Kelly doing "The Voice" kind of "Artsy" but goes well with a pass.

[vasilipao]

i want one...can i still find parts for this beuty?

looking forward to buying 1 and restoring like a cafe racer

[modprod]

These old motors were derived from the old Indy Offenhauser and have always had that Offy sound to those that can remember them.

[modprod]

Thanks, like I've said before, "it outlasted 2 ol' ladies and a bunch of kids, it's still hear" I think I'll keep it! Check-out Kelsey on my above mentioned/referred to site called "Pix by MP" Thanks......modprod

[plantmonster]

just read the info box-nice. thats a fast 1045.

helluva rider u must have been too

[modprod]

Thanks, I had my day but the old Z can still get the job done. With a light rider (I weighted 195) who knows what it could still run but with modern tire and chassis technology 8s are quite possible just on weight alone. That's why it's hard for me to get excited about a Haya/Z-14 with all that displacement compared to this "little motor" 2-valve technology from 25 years ago. But to each his own.

[gthm2fbj]

ah! Z1...

[modprod]

Thanks, yes the "squids" and "haters" will not even appreciate that this was 23 years ago and ran those kind of numbers.

[900kaw]

Wow this is awsome! Even a new Hayabusa doesn't run those numbers and this is 2008! Are there any other videos or stills of this bike? Truely awsome!

[modprod]

It won't accept links here but if you go to "Flicker" and search for "Z1 Dragbike" you will find some stills with a cute model Andrea. Thanks

[900kaw]

Oh Wow! Thanks I just went to Flicker and found the still shots. I'm jealous,the bike is beautiful and Andrea is well: not of this world! What a combination. I dowloaded several of those pictures and one of them is now my desktop background! They just don't make them like this anymore. I have a 76 Z that I've restored but this one is a real piece of history! You should sell posters. Thanks again

[modprod]

Actually I do sell prints and Posters. I do Drag Racing photography for a local track and have a website. Again I can't give links here but if you go to the "Cafepress" site and search for "Pix by MP" or "Z1 Dragbike" you will be able to find me. Just click on the "Pix by MP" on any of the pictures, that will lead you to the homepage of my little site. In the next few weeks I will be shooting a calendar with a new model on my bike and make it available on my site. I sell many car calendars too.

[900kaw]

Alright I found them no problem,that's neat stuff! I ordered a big poster of just the bike and a small poster with Andrea too. Who is the babe in the M&M section with the burnout shot? You do some good stuff and the car shots are fantastic too! I will probably want a calendar when you shoot that new calendar if that model looks half as good as Andrea! Just post something here when it's ready but I now have your Pix by MP site saved on bookmarks. I can't wait to get my posters! Thanks again!

[modprod]

Thanks, yes they sent me notification that an order had been placed. I hope you enjoy them but if you don't like them you can get your money back.

That babe in the burnout shot is a girl I shot here last year and I put her in a shot of me from 1986 at Ohio Valley Raceway using my photoshop skills. Glad you like it too! I'll post it here when the new calendar is ready. Thanks

[900kaw]

I got my posters today! They're excellent and got them fast too on regular ground shipping. I'm looking forward to see what you do next. The posters are now on my garage wall which is my "Z sanctuary" I Love these old classic bikes and everything that goes with them!.....900kaw

[modprod]

I just finished shooting and making available the the calendar and posters with the new model "Kelsey". She is beautiful,sexy and exotic. If you liked the other stuff this stuff will "blow you away"! Go back to my "PIX by MP" site or for others who are interested, Google the same "Pix by MP" and see "Kelsey & A Classic Z1" that are at the top of the opening home page. Thanks again

[900kaw]

OMG! Incredible!I gotta have some of that stuff! Kelsey is very "exotic" and you know already how I fell about the Z. Incredible! I'm gonna wind up being your best customer. You do, by far, the most professional Z1 photography that I've ever seen. I'm gonna paper my garage walls with Kelsey and the Z1. You'll be seeing my order very soon. Thanks modprod!

[modprod]

Alright I just got notifed of your big order. Thanks 900kaw. Enjoy!..........modprod

[900kaw]

Just got my order. 3 days only! They are fantastic! Kelsey is one beautiful woman! She now graces every wall in my garage. My buddies came over tonite and they were astonished! I'm sure you'll be getting some more orders for these. Thanks modprod, they are first class.......900kaw

[modprod]

Great! I'm glad you like my stuff!...modprod