Your Z - Kevin Murphy - Z1A

Kevin Murphy at Orange County International Raceway in 1983.

 
This motorcycle started life as a 1974 Kawasaki Z1A. It was owned by Kevin Murphy.

As a drag racing motorcycle, it had a 1260 Pro Stock motor, extended swing arm and an added 15 degrees of rake to the steering head.

The engine was personally built by Byron Hines of Vance and Hines fame.

Kevin worked at Byron's factory. Byron also rode the bike, often at the Wednesday evening meetings at the Orange County International Raceway, Southern California.

The bike would cover the standing quarter in the low 9 seconds with a terminal speed of 148mph +.

Kevin's article to follow soon.