TOPIC:

MGK612 wrote: This is awesome! I live in Japan, so if you ever need anything/have any special requests, let me know! I source a lot of stuff for a lot of different goods/industries.

I picked up a coo bike magazine the other day, and ironically it was all about the history of the KZ series. It too is all in Japanese (I can read it), but it was such a trip to learn about all of this stuff in another language!

I'll post pics of the magazine later!

MGK612, will you be able to pick up the same magazine and ship it to me? Of course, I'll pay for it. Let me know and if possible, discuss this through PM?

I'd love to pick up this magazine and read about it!

Just a little update, here are some head manufacturing pics:

Wow. That’s pretty. Do you know if the are making and flow rate improvements, or are the back to 70’s specs?

I have no idea about flow rate improvements, it´s a copy and paste picture steal from a German Z1 Forum.
No other Infos are available.

Definitely more refined than the early KZ heads.

This is very interesting, I happen to have a few friends at KHI. I will try to dig up some more information.

Mike

I first read about this reproduction head here on the forum about a year ago. As reported there was an article about them in a Japanese motorcycle magazine. On a lark I wrote an email to Kawasaki about the prospects of this head becoming available elsewhere besides Japan. I can't find the actual reply, but it was polite and to the point. I was told all the heads they made were sold and it would be a corporate decision if anymore would be made as well as availability outside Japan. While interesting I guess this project is not on the front burner so to speak.

Rick H.

Got a link from one of my old bosses: www.heritage-parts.khi.co.jp, It looks like a fairly detailed article, in Japanese of course, he said he thought the cost was $2600!, and said he will check if they were/will be available in the U.S. market. It looks like there is news in the article from as recently as March 2020?


Mike

Just saw the link, and it said, in news release that Black heads (11008-0991) are sold out as of 03/12/2020. They will be taking order on Silver heads (11008-0978) from June. Also, they will be taking orders for Black heads again from July. Both month does not give any specific date as from when. As of current Dollar to yen rate, it's around 2700 USD. Shipping, within Japan are $30 at most. If you have friend in military, and if they live in Okinawa, they will ship it to Okinawa at around 40 USD.

I tried to get to order form, but as of 6/03/2020 2250 HST, they do not have any order form on the website. They are planning to produce about 1000 head, for now.

Thank you for the translation!

Mike

Used Google translate

I was told today that KMC in California has requested that the heritage heads be made available for sale in the U.S. He said KHI is studying cost, my remark to him was I believe it would be a popular item if the cost was reasonable. Is $2600 reasonable? Not IMHO.

Mike