Harris Gem: Harris Kawasaki Z900 F1
Well, it is another day here at the plush RSBFS offices and another day I’m searching the net for info on a bike I’ve never heard of before. We’ve listed a few Harris Magnums but the F1 appears to be quite a rare beast.
Here is a brief explainer from specialsrally.co.uk:
The Harris F1 frame kit is a pretty loose name for Harris framed bikes that were used for F1 racing, most built before the magnum road kits. Most F1 kits can be recognized straight away thanks to the extra suspension linkage on top of the swing arm that compresses the shock from the top as well as the rocker linkage at the bottom.
I saw one bit of info that said the Magnum was a response to riders getting F1 kits licensed for the road.
The story on this beauty:
A rare opportunity to buy a genuine Harris Kawasaki Endurance racer from the seventies.
Although at first it may look like a Magnum, this is one of the dozen or so endurance/F1 bikes that were built by the Harris brothers in the mid/late seventies. This pre-dates the Magnum series, of which they went on to produce thousands of chassis kits in various forms. The early endurance chassis is easily recognised by the sliding adjuster block on the rear wheel, allowing quick removal of the whole assembly. This is a very rare survivor that has by some miracle escaped unmolested over the last thirty-odd years.
The Kawasaki Z900 engine has recently been re-built and refreshed by Graham Salter at Diptune and unused since being fitted. It is in 1200cc form and in a sensible state of tune. The head is ported and uses larger valves which are now shim under bucket, bigger cams, semi close gearbox and welded crank. It is fed by a bank of 34mm Amal carbs.
It has its original Dymag 18″ wheels which have the bolt together hubs. Front discs are 280mm stainless steel, forks are 38mm Marzocchi held by cast aluminium Harris yokes. Twin front calipers are Brembo, rear caliper is period lockheed. Both front and rear master cylinders are period lockheed items. The alloy endurance tank has its original shaws aero filler. Fairing and seat are both Harris endurance items with the headlight cowl fitted to the front.
I restored the bike to use at the many classic track events that are emerging both here and round europe, but a change in circumstances now means it is for sale.
The total restoration has recently been finished so the bike is in excellent condition all round.
Anyone out there know enough about these to know the year they were produced? Since it is a kit you will see wide differences in all the other components from bike to bike. Check out this beast with a full works Suzuki engine prepared by Pops Yoshimura.
Slick as owl Sh*t! Another phrase I’ve stolen from our RSBFS readers. I think it is quite appropriate though. You will see the traction control device there on the right clip on. Things sure used to be simple.
So, what does it cost to be the guy with the coolest bike at the track? The seller is asking roughly the equivalent of $24,000 (the bike is located in the U.K.). He is open to offers though if that is a little much for a stocking stuffer.
Nothing extra here, just a bare bones racing machine. From the sellers description it sounds like that engine should have some legs. Check out the auction here.
Ian
