Z1300 6 CYLINDER

6 CYLINDER MODELS 1979-1988

Kawasaki in Japan were very happy with the way the Z1 had earned them a reputation for high performance motorcycles, but by the mid-seventies their engineers were already working on a new type of motorcycle. This was to be the biggest and best that they dared to produce - the Z1300 six cylinder.
Honda and Benelli had already had a six, but the Kawasaki was to be different. It was a six with water cooling and shaft drive - the ultimate sports tourer. It was certainly the heaviest at 294kg but the claimed 120bhp was more than enough to power this bike to over 140mph. The styling was a bit square and podgy but the Z1300 found many admirers all over the world.

The 1286cc motor ran very smoothly and was a masterpiece in of design, being both sophisticated and simple to work on. This was truly the new "King of the Road" - the power and the glory!  

 1979 Z1300-A1
STARTING FRAME NUMBER:
KZT30A-000101
This first model was only offered in one colour, luminous starlight blue. A sort of sea green. The colour and the simple gold pin striping were considered dull by many but Kawasaki claimed it was classy. The overall angular design was common to most models of the late seventies but now looks very dated. The Z1300 handled better than it should have and surprised quite a few road testers of the time. The brakes were next to useless and ground clearance was poor but in the world of 'biggest is best' the Z13 was in a class of its own.  

1980 Z1300-A2
 STARTING FRAME NUMBER:
KZT30A-006201
Again only one colour was offered, luminous ruby red. This was a vast improvement over the A1. Quite a few of the A2 models were fitted with a larger sump pan to counter act the problems that the first model had with crankshaft trouble. The new pan now held 6 litres of oil instead of just 4.5 litres. 

1980 KZ1300-B2 Touring
 STARTING FRAME NUMBER:
KZT30B-000001
This model was not sold in the UK, being mainly an USA model. It was basically a standard Z1300A model fitted with a fairing, top box, side panniers and a touring seat. It was offered in one colour, royal dark red. The heaviest bike just got heavier.  

1981 Z1300-A3
 STARTING FRAME NUMBER:
JKAKZAA15BA-011501
There were quite a few differences for 1981. It was now offered in two colours, luminous holly green or ebony. A chrome grab rail was fitted and the outer engine cases and air filter covers were now chromed. The electronic ignition was modified and air suspension rear shock absorbers were fitted. The Z1300 was now a much prettier bike. The A3 was now also being built at the Lincoln factory in the USA.  

1982 Z1300-A4
 STARTING FRAME NUMBER:
KZT30A-014101
For 1982 the Z13 was offered in two colours, luminous passion red or ebony. Apart from this there was very few differences. Once again the CDI pickups were moved around and the horn cover was slightly changed. 

1983 Z1300-A5
 STARTING FRAME NUMBER:
KZT30A-015901
Once again very few differences were made, it was even offered in the same colours although the decals were changed and the side panel badges were different.  

1984 ZG1300-A1
 STARTING FRAME NUMBER:
ZGT30A-000001

There was one big change for 1984, the introduction of digital fuel injection. This boosted the power output to 130 BHP. Once again the colour options was red or ebony. Other changes were made to the outer engine cases and side panel badges.  
  There was no new model for 1985, sales had slowed right down.
1986 ZG1300-A2 STARTING FRAME NUMBER:
ZGT30A-002801
More or less the same bike in the same colours.
1987 ZG1300-A3 STARTING FRAME NUMBER:
ZGT30A-002801
Not really a new model, more of a continuation
1988 ZG1300-A4 STARTING FRAME NUMBER:
ZGT30A-003501
The Z13 was now only offered in one colour, ebony. Only a handful of sales were made here in the UK.
1989 ZG1300-A5 Sales of the Z1300 were now almost at a standstill and the ebony A5 model was the last in the line. Some dealers were still selling this model as late as 1993. A few dealers even have new examples still in stock, although the prices they are asking may be a little on the high side. 

ZN1300 Voyager

 In 1983 Kawasaki introduced the ZN1300-A1 Voyager. This was a fully dressed tourer aimed at the growing American market. It was fitted with every conceivable extra and was often referred to as a 'car without doors'!
1983 ZN1300-A1 STARTING FRAME NUMBER:
JKAZNAA1 DA000001
COLOUR: TWO TONE EBONY  
1984 ZN1300-A2 STARTING FRAME NUMBER:
JKAZNAA1 EB500001 (USA)
OR EA000401 (JAPAN)
COLOUR: TWO TONE EBONY  
1985 ZN1300-A3 STARTING FRAME NUMBER:
JKAZNAAI FB501501 (USA)
OR FA001301 (JAPAN)
COLOUR: TWO TONE EBONY
1986 ZN1300-A4 STARTING FRAME NUMBER:
JKAZNAAI GA001501
COLOUR: LUMINOUS VINTAGE RED/METALLIC GRAYSTONE
1987 ZN1300-A5 STARTING FRAME NUMBER:
JKAZNAA1 HB503301
COLOUR: LUMINOUS VINTAGE RED/METALLIC GRAYSTONE  
1988 ZN1300-A6 STARTING FRAME NUMBER:
JKAZNAA1 JB503701
COLOUR: LUMINOUS VINTAGE RED/METALLIC GRAYSTONE  
  Kawasaki eventually replaced the ZN1300 with the 1200cc four cylinder Voyager which was lighter and better  

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