1978 Kawasaki Z1R - Equivalent automotive paint code needed.

Need to know an Equivalent automotive paint code for the 1978 Kawasaki Z1R.
Could/did someone scan (at a paint shop) a non-faded bike for a colour or
maybe a colour sales ad if it shows the true colour (would that work?).

Any detailed websites on this model?

Some people consider this the first Kawasaki GPz model and the bike
that later GPz's were based on including the Eddie Lawson Replica.

 

~
Yep.... and some people think that you can fly a helicopter to the top of
Mt Everest.
It's a funny old world eh?
Clem

 

The Z1R was the first Japanese custom 'cafe racer' and Kawasaki's
first
serious Sport motorcycle indicating the future of factory made sport
bikes
for the public. Major changes over a standard Z1000 were the four into
one exhaust, a cockpit fairing, drilled discs, and Larger Carbs to
name a few.

The twin shock GPz 1100 and Eddie Lawson Replica is not as different
as you may think. While both machines handle/perform better they are
all based on the Kawasaki four cylinder, dual overhead cam four-stroke
engine, similar twin rear shock frames, etc.

Lets look at some facts on the 1982 ELR and 1978 - 1980 Z1R:

Air-cooled 4 cylinder DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder (Z1R & ELR)
1/4 Mini Fairing (Z1R & ELR)
18" rear tire/19" front tire (1980 Z1R & ELR)
Bhp at RPM for ELR 79 at 8,500
Bhp at RPM for Z1R 90 at 8,500 (94 for 1980 model)
Top speed of ELR 138 MPH
Top speed of Z1R 132 MPH
The list goes on but:

The Z1R was the stepping stone for the GPz/ELR and other Kawasaki
sport bikes. Does the Z1R handle better or perform better than a
ELR or GPZ? Of course not but it was Kawasaki's first single purpose
sport/racer design. I know of several people that would have a rare
(depending on where you live) Z1R over any sport bike today because
it's a true classic and ending up as show pieces in bike shows all
over the world. I don't think it's hard to believe that the ELR/GPz
bikes are close cousins to the Z1R. As all bikes evolve the Z1R was a
first in a series of Kawasaki's sport bikes. Yes I know modern
Kawasaki GPz/Sport bikes are liquid cooled and not one part taken off
would fit on a Z1R.

Now as first asked, does anyone know of a paint code that is the same
as the original colour 1978 Z1R? I do know of these colours but not
sure if they are the same (would someone reply to this info to see if
it's correct):

CODE NAME YEAR(S) DITZLER DuPONT BASE
C2 Stardust Silver (M) 72 2390 5393 Silver


1970-77 Capri Paint Codes

Paint Code Ford Color Name Years PPG Color Name PPG Code
3 Silver Metallic 1974 Stardust (Silver) Poly 33122

 

More superbike than cafe...

Still got a magazine somewhere from 1978 where they track test a Z1R
against an A9X Torana...

Mate bought an ELR brand new in '82. It's one of the only Jappas I ever
lusted for...and still do...

 

THE KAWASAKI 900 Z1 SUPER FOUR. Originally destined to be a 750,
the Z1 was beaten to the market place by the HONDA CB750 in 1968.
Kawasaki engineers, horrified at this well kept secret launch,
returned to the drawing board and redesigned the bike to be bigger
and better. In late 1972 the Z1 was introduced to the world and
instantly became a best seller.

The Z1 went on to become the basis of most of Kawasaki's models
for many more years, changing the face of motorcycling forever.
Never before had the average man had the chance to own the fastest,
biggest, most technically advanced motorcycle in the world for so
little money. The true age of affordable SUPERBIKES had arrived.

The "Z1" astonished the motorcycling world with its engine performance,
handling stability, and durability. At the time, its performance
capabilities were world-class, earning the Z1 and Kawasaki great respect.
Since the later Z1R and Z1000J were developed along the same lines as the
Z1, Kawasaki's air-cooled, 4-cylinder, 2-valve engine technology evolved
even further and proved extremely popular among motorcyclists. The Z1R
being the best of what Kawasaki had to offer in the 1970's as a factory
custom made Superbike.

Anyone know any websites about the Z1R?

 

Fox in The Hat Productions said....

ROFL.

Was this a Kawasaki sourced piece of info? The Z1/Z900s that I've ridden
were renowned for their hinged frames....

 

X-No-archive: yes

Maybe they astonished the world because they were better than the diabolical
500 Triple.
Clem

 

Knobdoodle said....

Never got to ride a 500. But I did have a loan of a mate's 750 "Mach IV"
for a weekend, once. Never again.

Mind you, at the time, my own bike was a Kawasaki 100 ag-bike. Back
then, apprentice motor mechs were dirt poor....

 

Nope. Z1-R used a round headlight, the ELR a square headlight.

Doug Cox.
Work to ride, Ride to work...
http://toosmoky.d2.net.au

 

The Honda 750F1. First after the K series. About 1978 I think.

My first bike. Biggest piece of shit I've ever owned.

Doug Cox.
Work to ride, Ride to work...
http://toosmoky.d2.net.au