The Z2 - Kawasaki's Unicorn

The iconic Kawasaki Z1 is one of motorcycling’s true originals, but it is not unique – it has an even rarer brother. The smaller Z2 was targeted at the Japan market where (at the time) a ban on machines over 750cc existed.

Although visually identical to the Z1, the 746cc Z2 was no simple “bore down” version having a 64x58 bore and stroke matched to a redesigned crankshaft thanks to the meticulous engineering of design chief, Gyoici “Ben” Inamura.

At debut, the Z2 was available in the Candy Orange / Brown colour scheme and priced at ¥418,000 (€820 at 1970’s prices). Quickly gaining a cult status in Japan, the Z2 even featured in the anime and manga series, Great Teacher Onizuka, owned by characters Kyosuke Masaki and Eikichi Onizuka.

The Z2 takes exclusivity to another level with only 3600 being made and exports mainly being on a personal basis. In real terms, this meant that for every six Z1’s manufactured only one example of Z2 left Akashi.

Another interesting Z2 feature was the 50mph (80kph) “speed warning light” incorporated into the meters. Triggered by a unit under the fuel tank, the red light (linked to the speedometer) illuminated as soon as the machine reached this pre-set speed encouraging the rider to slow down – its success is not documented!

Produced alongside all subsequent Z1 and Z900 models, the Z2 became the Z750-A4 to mirror the Z900 and was succeeded in 1978 by the Z750-FX. With only a handful of machines known to exist in Europe and a few more in the USA, a genuine Z2 is a true unicorn machine and worthy of the attention of any serious Kawasaki collector.

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