A short video clip of the Kawasaki 900's world debut at the 1972 Cologne Motor Show in Germany
The assembly line at the Akashi Plant Japan 1973
Kawasaki had 35,000 employees in 1973.
This was far from a mom-and-pop small time operation, this was full scale industrial mass production.
Kawasaki had 35,000 employees in 1973.
This was far from a mom-and-pop small time operation, this was full scale industrial mass production.
1973 engine assembly line at the Akashi Plant Japan. Workers completed one engine every 2 and half minutes!
1973 engines in the engine test area at the Akashi Plant
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Original Photos of the assembly line at the Akashi Plant in Japan 1973
This Photo taken in 1973 shows the machine stamping the engine numbers in the upper case. Z1E#####
About the frame paint:
The paint used for the frame is a melamine resin paint. The frames were painted using an electrostatic painting process. In electrostatic painting, a voltage difference is created between the frame and the paint particles. The paint particles are electrically charged, which causes them to be attracted to the grounded surface of the frame. This allows the paint to be applied evenly and efficiently through static electricity.
After the paint was applied, the frames passed along on a conveyor belt through infrared lamps, where the paint was dried. This process produced a durable painted surface with high resistance to marring. This process was commonly used in industrial and automotive applications due to its durability and rust resistance to the elements
The paint used for the frame is a melamine resin paint. The frames were painted using an electrostatic painting process. In electrostatic painting, a voltage difference is created between the frame and the paint particles. The paint particles are electrically charged, which causes them to be attracted to the grounded surface of the frame. This allows the paint to be applied evenly and efficiently through static electricity.
After the paint was applied, the frames passed along on a conveyor belt through infrared lamps, where the paint was dried. This process produced a durable painted surface with high resistance to marring. This process was commonly used in industrial and automotive applications due to its durability and rust resistance to the elements
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Finished Z1's getting ready for shipment to Europe.
Notice the Z1's are European versions (no reflector on shocks, plastic master cylinder reservoir, seats have a strap)
Notice the Z1's are European versions (no reflector on shocks, plastic master cylinder reservoir, seats have a strap)
Original Photo taken in 1971 of Early Prototype Z1
Photo from 1976 showing a KZ900 being crated in the shipping box at the Lincoln, Nebraska Assembly Plant
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