Kawasaki's Smaller Z For Europe
Kawasaki's Smaller Z for Europe
With Roots In The KZ650, The Z500 Is All New, Smaller And Lighter
Kawasaki introduced a new 497cc Four at a press showing in Malta. The new Z500 engine is similar in layout to the existing KZ650 powerplant. but is scaled down. Very few parts are interchangeable. Bore and stroke is 55 x 52.4mm. Double overhead camshafts are used with two valves per cylinder. Valve lash is controlled by replaceable shims located underneath the cam-follower/ valve-buckets. The bike has a plain-bearing crankshaft, Hv-Vo primary chain and six-speed gearbox, four 22mm Tekei slidethrottle carburetors and the usual 4-into-2
exhaust system. Claimed horsepower is 52 at 9000 rpm.
The engine is very compact, measuring just 20 in. at the widest point of the cases. For comparison, the KZ650 is 21 in. wide: the GS550 Suzuki, 21 in.; the Honda CB650 20‘/4 in. The cylinder head is also unusually compact, measuring 15 in. That's just 34-in. wider than the no-longerproduced Honda CB400 Four and 5/8-in. narrower than the Honda CB550 Four (which was replaced by the CB650 this year).
Like other 1979 model Kawasakis, the
new 500 has an air-injection system for emissions control. Air is routed from the airbox through a system of hoses, valves, and small reed valves and channelled into the exhaust ports, where it ignites with unburned exhaust gases leaving the cylinder.
The bike has leading-axle front forks with 26mm diameter tubes. Claimed dry weight is 432 lb.
The Z500 will be sold in Europe first, with a possible U.S. introduction late in 1979. A 400cc version of the machine will be produced for the Japanese market.
