KAWASAKI/EGLI
1000 Bol d'Or/Georges Godier-Alain Genoud -1974
Tale of the Bol d'Or
Inaugurated in 1922, The Bol d'Or 24-hour endurance race was
one of the major French competitions of the pre-war era. Halted in 1939,
resumed in 1947, the Bol d'Or was once again killed off in 1960; it rose from
the ashes in 1969 with spectacular popularity, attracting an estimated 100,000
spectators.
A
Well-Deserved Victory
That first race of the new series was won by Michel Rougerie
on a Honda. In 1970, a Triumph came first and in 1971, a virtually identical BSA
won. A Honda-Japauto was victorious in 1972 and 1973, then in 1974 it was at last
the turn of Kawasaki, with a well deserved victory for the Franco-Swiss team of
Georges Godier and Alain Genoud, who had already enjoyed a fine win in that
year's Barcelona 24-Hours race. The same riders repeated their exploit in 1975
and these successive victories inspired Kawasaki to make a long-term commitment
to the world endurance championship, which won again in 1991, along with the
Bol d'Or.
The
Bol d'Or Becomes Professional
The Bol d'Or really came of age in 1974, when the competing
bikes were prepared specifically for endurance racing, with aviation-type high-speed
fuel fillers and fittings designed for rapid maintenance. This Kawasaki,
derived from the 900 Z1, was fitted with a conversion kit which increased its swept
volume to 999 cc and a special frame made by the famous Swiss builder Egli.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: air-cooled 999cc (69x66mm) transverse four-cylinder four-stroke
with Yoshimura tuning kit
Power Rating: c. 90hp @ 9000rpm
Valves: twin overhead camshaft I 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel System: four 31mm Keihin racing carburetors
Transmission: 5 speed racing box .
Suspension: Manocchi front,
swinging fork with twin Koni dampers (rear)
Brakes: twin Lockheed disk (front); Lockheed disk (rear)
Wheels: Egli alloy
Weight: 419 lb with H2R fairing
Godier
and Genoud won a stunning victory in the 1974 Bol d'Or on this Kawasaki.
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