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The upcoming auction of Aste Bolaffi Mopeds, Scooters & Motorcycles on 28 November presents an exceptional selection of iconic road and off-road motorbikes from the 1970s.
Standing out are the undisputed queens of that period: the Kawasaki 500 and 750 three-cylinder two-strokes and the legendary 900 four-stroke four-cylinder TESTA NERA Z 900. No less representative in their typical orange are the Laverda SF 750 and 1000. The dirt track is well represented by the lively and extremely rare Bultaco Matador SD enduro bike and the fascinating English competition BSA C 15 Cross. Also of note is the blue pearl Montesa Cappra DS 360 Cross.
The Husqvarna CR 250 ‘Mikkola replica’ completes the most famous vehicles of those fantastic years. A leap into the new millennium is made with an HM Racing 300, winner in the 2008 trial year.
In BMW’s centenary year, a prestigious selection of vehicles could not be missing: the classic R 80 G/S and the mighty R 100 GS bring back memories of African raids. The road boxers are present with an elegant R 50/5 America, an R 100 R/S and a colourful R 100 R.
Then there is the Norton Manx 40 M Garden Gate, which has an important history and has ridden on important international circuits.
Lastly, in the moped and scooter sector, a small and extremely rare Lem Small as well as a Vespa 150 “Ostrich” in need of restoration, full of fascination for lovers of vintage two-wheelers.
SPECIAL LOT: KAWASAKI Z 1 TESTA NERA, THE FIERCE QUEEN OF THE 70’S SUPERBIKES
In 1972, the Kawasaki Motorcycle Division – part of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd – presented the powerful Z1, a sophisticated four-cylinder four-stroke motorcycle with a 900 cc double camshaft which, in the original project from a few years earlier, was supposed to be 750 cc . Unfortunately, the competitor Honda managed to precede it by placing the CB750 Four on the market: same interesting engine architectures, with the exception of the single-shaft distribution. This forced the Akashi technicians to heavily review the project, making it more interesting for users.
The displacement increased up to 900 cc, with an accredited power of 82HP. To accommodate such a cavalry, a double cradle round steel tube frame was designed with not able reinforcements in the areas of the steering head and the swingarm pivot; the suspension was provided at the front by a tele hydraulic fork with a diameter of 36 mm and at the rear by a pair of “Dual Shock ” shock absorbers adjustable to five positions, while, for the braking system , a 296 mm diameter front disc with rigid caliper was used. Single piston and a 200 mm single cam drum at the rear.
These characteristics, combined with the great general reliability and the driving pleasure it conveyed, soon made the Z1 the queen of sports motorcycles. Its sales success was worldwide.
The piece ASTE BOLAFFI will put at auction on November 28th belongs to the first series, called Testa Nera due to the colour of the engine and is the most sought-after version. It is in perfect condition and has been professionally restored by Kawasakistory.
