Kawasaki Z1000ST

More information and photographs to follow soon.

In 1979, Kawasaki introduced their first shaft driven version of the Z1000.
This was the Z1000-E1 badged as the Z1000ST.
It was available in Luminous Dark Red or Luminous Green.
The Kawasaki badges on the fuel tank were the same as those fitted to the Z1000 MkII.
The Z1000ST also featured many of the improvements fitted to the Z1000 MkII.
The finish of the ST engine was the same as that on the MkII.
Although the seven spoke cast wheels on the ST were similar in style to those on the MKII, the rear wheel featured a different hub to accept the shaft drive bevel unit.
The ST had a nineteen inch front wheel and a seventeen inch rear wheel.
As with the MkII, the ST produced 93bhp.
In addition, the airbox was redesigned to further improve mid range torque and power delivery.
Similar to the Z1-R, there was an emergency kickstarter lever kept under the seat.
The four into two exhaust system was different from the MkII in that the silencers were positioned lower to allow for panniers to be fitted.

The instruments on the ST were a different style from those fitted to the MkII.
The speedometer was still calibrated to 160mph in 10mph increments and the tachometer was calibrated to 11000rpm with the redline starting at 8500rpm.
A fuel gauge was built in to the lower section of the tachometer.
The centre console was a different shape. It featured turn signal lamps at the top, with warning lamps from top to bottom for OIL, HIGH BEAM and NEUTRAL.

The handlebar clamps were formed as a casting consisting of the ignition barrel cover and an integral Kawasaki badge.

The Z1000-E2, introduced in 1980 was basically the same as the E1 with minor improvements.
A small Kawasaki badge was now fitted below the headlamp.
The E-2 was available in Luminous Ruby Red or Black Pearl.