In the 1960s, Japanese motorcycle manufacturers were eating into the markets in Europe and the United States with genuinely new designs and modern technology. In 1968, Honda dropped its four-cylinder bombshell in the form of the CB750, complete with electric starter, five-speed gearbox and front disc brake. More than that, it offered speed, convenience, reliability and oiltightness, features that were normally mutually exclusive. The first 'superbike' had arrived. In this book, Rod Ker tells the story of the Honda CB750 and its development during the 1970s. The author also covers the Four's subsequent rebirth as a classic, its present iconic status and includes buying advice for the twenty-first century.

This comprehensive book provides the full background and history of the groundbreaking Kawasaki Z1. The author describes how 'King Zed' became a sensation after its launch in 1972, combining incredible performance with convenience, reliability and practicality. Although pipped to the post as the first four-cylinder 'superbike' by the 1969 Honda CB750, Kawasaki riposted with extra power and a top speed of 135mph, knocking the opposition into second place. The fastest production motorcycle of its time, the Z1 received rave reviews in the motorcycle press. Rod Ker describes the various makeovers that the model received later in production, and how it was given a new lease of life as the fuel-injected GPZ1100. Finally superseded in 1984 by lighter and more efficient models like the all-new water-cooled GPZ900R, the Z1 had already become established as a classic and an appreciating asset.