The Kawasaki KZ750 L3 is a sport bike that Kawasaki began building in 1983. It was very similar to the 1982 GPZ750, but where the GPZ moved towards the sport bike class the KZ line branched off as sport cruisers, without the fairings of the GPZ models.
Kawasaki KZ750 at a glance
| Maker | Kawasaki |
|---|---|
| Model year | 1983 (KZ750 L3) |
| Class | sport cruiser |
| Related to | 1982 Kawasaki GPZ750 |
| Engine | 750 cc four-stroke DOHC inline four |
| Cooling | air |
| Bore × stroke | 66.0 × 54.0 mm |
| Compression | 9.5:1 |
| Carburettors | four Mikuni BS34 |
| Starter | electric |
| Ignition | transistorised battery and coil |
| Styling | orange, red and yellow stripes on tank and tail; no fairing |
A short article based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the KZ750 L3.
History of the Kawasaki KZ750
The KZ750 L3 arrived in 1983, the year in which Kawasaki’s GPZ range moved decisively towards full sports specification. The KZ line split away from it and became what the company called sport cruisers: similar mechanicals, but without the fairings that defined the GPZ bikes of the period.
How to recognise one
The L3 can be identified by the three horizontal stripes along its fuel tank and tailpiece, in orange, red and yellow, and by the absence of the fairing fitted to contemporary GPZ models.
Engine
The engine is a four-stroke, DOHC, 750 cc inline four, air-cooled, with a 66.0 mm bore and 54.0 mm stroke and a compression ratio of 9.5:1. It is fed by four Mikuni BS34 carburettors, started by an electric starter and fired by a transistorised battery and coil ignition. Kawasaki’s inline fours of this period are considered very robust and reliable.
Design and features
- GPZ750-derived engine: a proven air-cooled 750 cc inline four with DOHC and four carburettors.
- Sport cruiser style: no fairing and a striped paint scheme instead of the GPZ’s bodywork.
- Reliable mechanicals: the inline-four family is known for long life and simple maintenance.
- Distinctive graphics: orange, red and yellow stripes along the tank and tail.
Kawasaki KZ750 versions
- KZ750 L3 (1983): the model described here, with the three-stripe paint scheme.
The KZ750 was closely related to the GPZ750 and shared its engine approach with the bigger KZ1000. More models are in the Kawasaki collection.
Video: 1983 Kawasaki KZ750 Up and Running
Video by dawino6260 on YouTube.
Sources
- Kawasaki KZ750, English Wikipedia: model history, styling, engine specifications
