Topic: 1970's alternative iconic bikes ??

[ascanio1]

I'm making a list of possible next bike purchase & looking for ideas and cues.

I just got a lovely K3 and I'm so in love with the looks and character of this bike that I can't stop riding it all day long! I now want to make a small collection of bikes of that same era/period which were the K series' nemesis or competitors: I'm only looking for those iconic bikes which represent a milestone and left a mark in the motorcycle industry or which were the era's big names as Laverda 750 SFC and Jota 1000 or Kawasaki Z1 900...

I know that this is the CB750 forum but, it's not OT as the K series changed the world of biking forever and it's interesting to see how the rest of the manufacturers negotiated the revolution.

[scottly]

II now want to make a small collection of bikes of that same era/period which were the K series' nemesis or competitors:

The nemesis of the early CB750 was the Kawasaki H1.

[Retro Rocket]

1979/1980 Z1000 MKII...

[Stev-o]

I also wanted a diff model bike and last year I bought and restored a Z1.  Honda beat Kawasaki to the punch by putting out the CB750 first, so Kawasaki came back strong with their 900. 
Here's my '75...

[ascanio1]

@ Stev-o...

Your Kawa looks superbly restored! Wow! I think that the H1 is more of a turning point for Kawa but the Z1 looks better. Either the H1 or Z1 are going down in my list.

Laverda Jota 1000?
Guzzi Le Mans 850?
Any more?

[ascanio1]

What are the H1 and Z1 worth today?

Z1000VsZ1: Z1 more iconic Z1000 better to own & ride? Like K0 Vs K7/K8? Or more like K0 Vs K3/K4/K5...?

[seanbarney41]

What are the H1 and Z1 worth today?

Z1000VsZ1: Z1 more iconic Z1000 better to own & ride? Like K0 Vs K7/K8? Or more like K0 Vs K3/K4/K5...?

Z1 and Z1000 are barely any different...Z1000 almost all bolts on to Z1 just like ko750 vs. 750f3

[seanbarney41]

Laverda Jota 1000?
Guzzi Le Mans 850?
Any more?

these are extremely scarce in the U.S....you are more likely to see a Vincent

[seanbarney41]

...Yamaha XS650, RD350, Suzuki GT/GS, Harley Davidson Sportster, ....

[Retro Rocket]

GS1000, RD400

[seanbarney41]

...airhead BMW's...

[ascanio1]

Z1 and Z1000 are barely any different...Z1000 almost all bolts on to Z1 just like ko750 vs. 750f3

Really? I thought that the engines were quite different... so, were the Z1 & Z1000 contemporary? Like the CB750 K & F?

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[ascanio1]

...airhead BMW's...

R90? As iconic as the K, but no match. I think that it was considered way inferior at the time... But I personally love that bike.

RD350/400 ! That's one I didn't think of! Yep, that was a competitor. Maybe not as iconic, but certainly a match because of the light weight.

Suzuki GS...? naaaaa... never made the cut! It certainly sold a bit, but it was not as iconic as the K.

The GT too, not as iconic and way too heavy. And I'm not sure if it was a match for a CB750. Maybe in a straight line...

HD...? naaaa... again, not as iconic, not as revered, not a milestone... and no match for a K.

Actually, also the Guzzi LM were no match for a K at the time... but I think more iconic & memorable. I think the jota was. My dad switched his CB750 for a 3 cyl Laverda.

Yamaha... XS? Twin cylinder? no match. No way as iconic. This bike can't even sit at the same table of a CB750!

I don't have a passion for British bikes... so nothing comes to my mind that could sit at the save table at the time.

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[Stev-o]

@ Stev-o...

Your Kawa looks superbly restored! Wow! I think that the H1 is more of a turning point for Kawa but the Z1 looks better. Either the H1 or Z1 are going down in my list.

Why not get both, I did! My H1 that is currently being restored....






I would also consider the H2 750.   The Z1 and H2 typically sell for higher prices that the CB750 (except sandcast) but the H1 can be cheaper, depending on year/condition. 

[calj737]

R90? As iconic as the K, but no match. I think that it was considered way inferior at the time... But I personally love that bike.

Actually, the R90/S was quite the match. Reg Pridmore rode that bike to tons of championships. The standard /6 models were probably still a tad behind the performance of the CB, and the R75 was definitely not a challenger.

[ekpent]

Heck with an H1 you might as well get an H2 750. They were around in 1972 and am sure more than a few CB750's were looking at a lot of tailpipes walking away.

[Stev-o]

Heck with an H1 you might as well get an H2 750. They were around in 1972 and am sure more than a few CB750's were looking at a lot of tailpipes walking away.

I'll get one if you do, Eric!  I like the '72's....


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-Other-1972-kawasaki-h-2-750-survivor-runs-shifts-great-mostly-original-unrestored-/141516660787?forcerrptr=true&hash=item20f30ce033&item=141516660787&pt=US_motorcycles

[goldarrow]

Get this Stev-o

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/mcy/4815167645.html

[Stev-o]

Get this Stev-o

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/mcy/4815167645.html

I would if it wasnt $12K!!

[754]

+1 onthe R90S.. I thought the Moto Guzzi Sports?  Or V7 was pretty. Cool..

[Retro Rocket]

Z1 and Z1000 are barely any different...Z1000 almost all bolts on to Z1 just like ko750 vs. 750f3

Really? I thought that the engines were quite different... so, were the Z1 & Z1000 contemporary? Like the CB750 K & F?

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The original Z1000 has a lot in common with the early 900's although it had a slightly better frame, the second generation Z1000, {square  tappet covers} were different again and had a improved engine ,better frame, and mag wheels, thats the model I alluded to in my first post...

[bill440cars]

You know, the Suzuki  X6 Hustler (250cc), the Kawasaki Avenger or Samurai (I get them mixed up, came as 250 or 350) and Yamaha 250 (YDS something, I think) all were pretty. Competitive back in the day. Thought?

[nvr2old]

Suzuki GS...? naaaaa... never made the cut! It certainly sold a bit, but it was not as iconic as the K.

Maybe not as iconic as a K, but it did set a high standard in performance.  After 40 years of owning nothing but Hondas, I'm really impressed with, and love riding this GS1000S.  Easy to work on, and just a bullet-proof engine that really hauls ass.

[HondaMan]

@ Stev-o...

Your Kawa looks superbly restored! Wow! I think that the H1 is more of a turning point for Kawa but the Z1 looks better. Either the H1 or Z1 are going down in my list.

Why not get both, I did! My H1 that is currently being restored....






I would also consider the H2 750.   The Z1 and H2 typically sell for higher prices that the CB750 (except sandcast) but the H1 can be cheaper, depending on year/condition. 

Beautiful H1, Steve-o! Is yours the one with the triple points ignition? Someone Down Under bought one of my Triple Ignitions to reduce the points maintenance, I think the pix I got were the same green as yours?

[Stev-o]

@ Stev-o...

Your Kawa looks superbly restored! Wow! I think that the H1 is more of a turning point for Kawa but the Z1 looks better. Either the H1 or Z1 are going down in my list.

Why not get both, I did! My H1 that is currently being restored....






I would also consider the H2 750.   The Z1 and H2 typically sell for higher prices that the CB750 (except sandcast) but the H1 can be cheaper, depending on year/condition. 

Beautiful H1, Steve-o! Is yours the one with the triple points ignition? Someone Down Under bought one of my Triple Ignitions to reduce the points maintenance, I think the pix I got were the same green as yours?

Thanks HM. No, my '74 has CDI and is Candy Green. I believe '72 is the only year that had points, but green was not a color option that year, only Pearl Candy Orange and Pearl Candy Red. 
Bodywork could have been painted easily enough?