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 Kawasaki - 750 Zephyr (ZR)
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Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
1112

Capacity : 750
Model : Zephyr (ZR)
Production : 1991 - 1996
Category : (R) Street Bike

KAWASAKI

750 Zephyr -1992

Old shape, new technology

In 1972, Kawasaki's 900 Z1 was the undisputed queen of the big super sport fourstrokes. Super sports bikes have become real competition machines in road-going form, very sophisticated, very expensive, and so fast that it's difficult - and legally impossible -to make full use of their performance.

Positive Reaction

Affected like every other manufacturer by the downturn in the market for these "hypersport" bikes, Kawasaki reacted by retracing its steps, launching in 1990 a replica of its renowned Z1 900 and Z2 750. It was a wise choice, for the replica permitted Kawasaki to revisit less demanding technical solutions. Thus its twinoverhead- camshaft four-cylinder engine – a modern version of the Z650 of 1976 – was air- rather than liquid-cooled. The rear suspension by cranks and single damper unit, commonplace on modern sports bikes, was dropped in favor of a single swinging arm with two spring/damper units. Moreover, the Zephyr had no fairing. While it was luxuriously detailed, the Zephyr was nevertheless built down to a price and its highly flexible engine and low saddle height made it easy and pleasant to ride.

A Successful Gamble

It was a successful gamble. The Zephyr, offered at a ve1y competitive price, won over Japan just as it had done Europe and enjoyed great success, to the point that, in 1992 Kawasaki followed its Zephyr 400 (for Japan) and 750 (for Europe) with an 1100cc model: the start, perhaps, of another infernal round of performance upgrades.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 738cc (66x54mm) air-cooled fourcylinder four-stroke; wet-sump

Power Rating: 75 hp @ 8500 rpm

Valves: twin overhead camshafts and 8 valves ·

Fuel System: 4 32mm carburetors

Transmission: 5-speed; chain final drive

Suspension: telescopic forks (front); swinging forks with twin spring/dampers (rear)

Brakes: double disk (front); disk (rear)

Wheels: light alloy, 120/70-17 inch (front); 150/70-17 inch (rear)

Weight: 443 lb

Maximum Speed: 121 mph

 

The Zephyr was tbe first of a new type of superbike known .familiarly as "basics."

 






Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.