LOT 169

1980 Kawasaki Z1R Custom Black Molly Drag Racing Motorcycle Frame no. MVIN44861IND Engine no. Z1E128696

Sold for US$7,475 inc. premium

Lot 169

1980 Kawasaki Z1R Custom Black Molly Drag Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. MVIN44861IND Engine no. Z1E128696

Collectors' Motorcycles and Motorcars at the Barber Museum|10 October 2020, 13:00 CDT|Birmingham, Barber Motorsports Museum

1980 Kawasaki Z1R Custom Black Molly Drag Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. MVIN44861IND
Engine no. Z1E128696

Sold for two years only, just 500 of the TCs were built. Kawasaki took a Z1-R to a California aftermarket performance shop and said have at it. That shop was Turbo Cycle Corporation, which sold bolt-on turbocharger kits for a number of different bikes. TCC fitted an American Turbo Pak compressor and its attendant plumbing to the Z1-R, including an adjustable wastegate that could be dialed up to a frightening 10psi. Sold exclusively at Kawasaki dealerships but without the usual warranty, 250 TCs were produced in '78, all in the stock ice blue paint with discreet TC decals.

In 1979, another 250 TCs were made, known as the TC2, ironically in a slightly more refined engine tune but with a blatant designer paint job. In deference to crankshafts and clutch packs, maximum boost was now set at 6psi and new 4-into-1 'snake' header pipes lessened turbo lag. But to make sure the TC didn't go unnoticed Molly Designs was hired to come up with the sinister black paint scheme highlighted by neon stripes. The late Rollin 'Molly' Sanders was in high demand among manufacturers for his graphics skills, coming up with Yamaha's memorable yellow/black/white 'bumblebee' scheme, the Toyota race team's longtime livery and later in his career the Lexus logo, among many others.

The Z1R offered here has been heavily modified – it's a Z1R – with a custom KZ900 motor carefully and skillfully "built" to be an effective and competitive drag racer in the style of the TC to include the Black Molly style paint. Note the longer swingingarm among other modifications and improvements.

Saleroom notices

Please note the bike is to be sold without reserve and the title is in transit.

Additional information

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