Most readers here are familiar with the Honda CBX, the inline 6 that remains popular in the classic market but another inline 6 you don't see very often is the Kawasaki Z1300. Not only is it less common, when is the last time you saw one that's gone the custom route, wide rear tire and all?
Mark Foulkes from sunny South Africa has been working on his big Z, vintage 1979, and sent along a few photos to show it off. I just thought it looked pretty cool. Yes, I know, the 330 rear tire isn't going to make this a corner carver but no on ever said these Kawasakis were sport bikes to begin with.
Nice bike. Thanks, Mark!
Another photo below:
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That thing is wicked. Bout ugly as sin but looks like it would be fun to mess with. The huge rear tyre looks a bit ridiculous, so do the bars. But, I would still ride the piss out of it!
How about some more pictures of the other side of this beast.
Wondered when one of these monsters would show up. They failed to establish the “cult bike” status that the CBX did, hence resale and interest went out the window.
This bike is kinda interesting. I’m with Pete, can we see the other side of it? How in the hell did they fit that wheel/tire to the bike. It’s registered and all so it must be fully streetable.
OK, I got interested enough to investigate. He’s a link:
http://www.freewebs.com/z1300riders/
What I think is, the side we don’t see, got a little ugly. It’s a ridig and has a coupla stock wheels wielded together to mount the 330 or whatever it is. The otherside of the swing arm has been zeroed along with the shocks. The centerline of the bike and the centerline of the wheel/tire may not be the same.
Who am I to be critical of somebody elses bike? If it was at the local biker bar it would attrach plenty of attention.
Funny, the moment I read that you don’t see them often in the USA, I thought I’ll comment that there’s a fair few in South Africa. And then I read that it is indeed from there.
I also saw one this easter in Amsterdam, strangely.
These were / are fairly common at least in California. I’ve always liked the looks of these (except the square headlight), at least as an alternative to a Gold Wing. My dad and I have often considered using the motor for a reverse-trike except the drive shaft direction almost dictates the orientation of the motor.
Interesting but I think a clean stocker looks nicer.
-todd
Looks ugly as sin. Looks like it would ride as well is it looks. So why are we interested again? I love six cylinder bikes, especially the naked ones, but this one just seems wrong somehow.
I’d like to hear the 6-into-nothing exhaust!
meh – he’s got nothing on millyard’s Z-2600!
I always wanted one of these monsters… they are pretty scarce in original condition. The blokes seem to love messing with them.
Greetings from sunny S.A.
It is very interesting to read the responses to “Kawasaki Z1300 Custom”
Yes she is a bitch to ride.
Yes she corners like a tractor.
Yes she is a one of a kind.
She’s mine,
And most of all she’s AWESOME.
(the centerline of the bike and the centreline of the wheel are the same)
man just seen the big Z my jaw just fell off awsome looking for a z13 myself rare as hell in the uk . bubs
Wow finally found a web site with some serious metal! I bought a 79′ Z1300 at the weekend and i’ve found my true calling…….mid life crisis.
There is so much road presence with these bikes who cares how they corner,you crawl along for the pose factor anyway!
Does anyone know the model nos of the cone air filters to replace the orig airbox?
Cheers all
I am a huge fan of Bulldogs work, cosidering iam the Gent who helped him on this project, and since, have had the pleasure and the help from Bulldog to build my own 280mm rear tyre conversion,GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!!!
That is really an attention getter…. I’m interested in some info on what was done to the rear wheel (wheels)…
Way to go Bulldog, I saw some thumbnails of this some time ago and I love the way it turned out!! I have my 82 Z13 in Aus which I have had for 25 years and have clocked about 300,000 k’s on.
To the unbelievers, if you have to ask …..you will never know!!
The more the merrier!!Glad to so often see this ole Z1.3 Grampa riding about at the different biking gatherings,a great sight and sound.The true advantage is the South African sun and the lack of law enforcement in this neck of the woods, making straight piped sixes a pleasure to hear a mile off!
A six into six is still the best pipe job for max Zed performance,admittedly straightline only!
sorry guys the big z looks awsome its all
down to taste it looks like you guys know what
biking is all about i have a 1979 one english
model 24000mls standrad
the real bubba zanetti
hiya chaps
as no one added owt
so i wll while i watch madmax again i need to know the colour number
for paint 1979 A1 think they called it green its not on frame plus kawasaki uk don’t give a crap its 30years old!!!! it has been sprayed before but not happy with it
could always paint it yellow hmm
so come on guys lets start something here
the real bubba zanetti
need pipes for z13 free if poss down pipes will do
The Z from PE looks mean I bought myself a 82 Z1300 I,m looking for a place in S.A. that can widen the rims for me every thing on this bike is still standard
Taking one of these old Grampa”s on a Southern African run ,2400kms in total,namely from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, to Windhoek,Namibia on 29July2009 to return 5August2009Onlookers are horrified at the prospect of Z1300DFI accomplishing this task,but as all owners will tell you ,just add oil and all’s well on the old fella!
Will keep onlookers posted as to the outcome,gas consumption,and oil use!
Any oil sponsors out there??!
Teacher