The Kneeslider

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Kawasaki Z1300 Turbo by Richard Fluttert

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Kawasaki Z1300 Turbo by Richard Fluttert
Kawasaki Z1300 Turbo by Richard Fluttert

The Kawasaki KZ1300 is “the other six” not as often seen as the CBX or even the Benelli Sei. That’s too bad because there seems to be quite a following in some areas around the world and a few builders have made some pretty interesting projects out of the big six.

Kawasaki Z1300 Turbo by Richard Fluttert
Kawasaki Z1300 Turbo by Richard Fluttert

This particular Z1300 Turbo is the handiwork of Richard Fluttert from the Netherlands. Richard had already built 3 versions of carburetor Z1300’s some years ago but after a career in Superbike racing he remembered those earlier builds and wanted to build one again.

Kawasaki Z1300 Turbo by Richard Fluttert
Kawasaki Z1300 Turbo by Richard Fluttert

This one is based on a fuel injected 1989 Legendary Six anniversary edition never sold in the US. The turbo uses a Rayjay F40 turbine housing and an F Flow compression wheel. A high pressure fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator were added and a lamda probe welded in the exhaust sends fuel/air mixture data to a cockpit display.

The manifold was homebuilt and the exhaust was made by Mile Pajic an exhaust specialist and ex roadracer in the Netherlands. The outlet swivels were made in stainless steel by N. Ollthof. The blow off valve is from a Subaru STI and the external wastegate comes from Mr.Turbo.

The bike has about 200hp with 8 psi pressure and from my point of view, looks like it’s very nicely done and should prove entertaining when the turbo spools up.

Thanks to Wilco Vonk, President of the Z1300 club in Holland for bringing this bike to my attention and sending the information and photos.

Kawasaki Z1300 exhaust and turbo placement
Kawasaki Z1300 exhaust and turbo placement

Comments

  1. There is something about turbo bikes that get to me. I’d love to build one up, just not sure what to start with.

    Awesome job.
    Brad

  3. I have, for some strange reason, the Jethro Tull song “Locomotive Breath” running through my head now. No idea why!

  8. While I normally advocate to the simplicity of utilitarian designs, I have to say that the idea of holding 200 horses under my butt makes the plumbing quite interesting.

  9. How does the turbo work, is it always pumping up the power or do you flick a switch and you bolt off like a rocket

  10. I bet with a little more tuning, there is plenty more horses to be coaxed out of that mill. And can you imagine the torque curve on this thing, I bet it would shame even the 140 cubic inch Harley style v-twins.

  12. Z1300s were quite popular in Australia and still fetch good prices, and have a reputation for unbreakability, unlike the Benelli Sei (one of which I owned) which had fragile gearboxes and the Honda CBX which had a reputation for blowing head gaskets. The Z1300 was, and remains, a popular sidecar hauler. At the time they were new they didn’t appeal to me much, being a bit on the chunky side, but they sure look sweet now, compared with modern bikes.

  13. I believe the inline 6 is the most elegant and natural design for the internal combustion engine. A bit long for motorcycle applications, but if you’re going to put a turbo on one and spool it up to 200+ hp, well, more power to you. This build is a natural — water cooling will keep detonation at bay, and if the Z1300 is as sturdy as the posters say it is, there must be even more power on tap.

    This is a fairly clean installation; I love the pipes, although the collector could use more design work to improve flow to the turbine wheel. As it is, there could be rather a lot of turbulence just ahead of the turbo inlet, where it will interfere with the smooth transfer of energy. The workmanship is first-rate and there isn’t a lot of space, but a little more bend and slightly different routing should do the trick. However, who am I to argue with 200 hp? I bet with that open megaphone it sings a mighty fine song!

  15. ja jongens effe in het nederlands ik vind dat met die pijpen vanuit de uitlaten echt een meester stuk is deze man ( de eigenaar dus een pijpfitter met roest vrij staal? het is echt prachtig goed en netjes gedaan mijn compliementen hoor met vriendelijke groetjes bart klaaijsen

    • yes boys smoothness in Dutch I think with that from the exhaust pipes really a master piece of this man (the owner is a pipe fitter with stainless steel? it’s really good and neatly done beautifully compliementen my friendly greetings to hear bart klaaijsen

      Thank you google translate

  16. Dear sweeeeet jesus, this guy has a deathwish…. I can’t imagine trying to turn or stop this monster…

  19. Same brakes as my KZ750… which I find barely adequate on my 450 pound, 80-odd horsepower bike… I’d definitely want to upgrade!