Aoshima The Bike No.AI-01 1/12 scale “Aitsu to Lullaby ZII Kai” Kenji version… 4,260 yen (tax included) Scheduled for release in November 2025
Kenji’s red Kawasaki Z2, the car that ran through his youth!
The pioneering motorcycle manga masterpiece “Aitsu to Lullaby” is an immensely popular work that made the famous Kawasaki ZII (Zetzu) famous all over the world. The 1/12 scale plastic model shown in the photo faithfully recreates the ZII, the beloved bike of protagonist Kenji Hishiki, with custom parts such as separate handlebars, a combined muffler, cast wheels, and front double disc brakes. The red design color of the tank and cowlings is included as a decal.
[Product Specifications]
Price: 4,620 yen (tax included)
Release Date: Scheduled for release in November 2025
Scale: 1/12
*The image is a prototype. It may differ from the actual product.
*This product is a plastic model kit. Separate tools are required for assembly.
*The kit does not include a figure of Hishiki Kenji.
© Kusunoki Michiharu/Kodansha
Official manufacturer website : https://www.aoshima-bk.co.jp/product/4905083203385/
The Kawasaki ZⅡ, a legendary motorcycle that reigns supreme as a treasured model
The Kawasaki 750RS is a famous motorcycle known by the nickname ZⅡ.
ADVERTISEMENT
Kawasaki 900 SUPER 4 (commonly known as Z1).
The Kawasaki Z1 (officially known as the 900 SUPER 4) was the bike that started the trend of in-line four-cylinder engines, which together with the Honda CB750FOUR are considered a Japanese specialty. Because the model number of this bike is Z1, it is still commonly referred to as the Z1 (Zet One) to this day.
The Kawasaki ZⅠ was an export-only model manufactured and sold for the European and North American markets from 1972 to 1976. Even now, more than 40 years after it went out of production, it remains respected and popular by many users, with many restored models still in operation around the world.
The Z1 was an explosive hit overseas from the moment it was released. Naturally, users clamored for it to be released in Japan, but… At the time, self-imposed restrictions in Japan prohibited the sale of bikes over 750cc. The only way to ride a Z1 in Japan was to “reimport” it (reimported cars at the time were extremely expensive due to exchange rates and customs duties).
For this reason, from 1973 to 1978, the 750RS, model number Z2, was released as the “top-of-the-line 750cc version in Japan (at the time, this category was called ‘Nanahan’).” Following on from the ZI, the 750RS is still commonly referred to as the “ZII” (Zettsu).
The ZII, which follows the ZI’s appearance, frame, and suspension, scales down the engine displacement to 746cc for the domestic market. The ZII was originally planned to be released as a torque-focused “long-stroke engine” by boring down the ZI’s engine, but in reality, both the bore and stroke were changed.
・ZI bore x stroke = 66mm x 66mm
・ZII bore x stroke = 64mm x 58mm
The ZI is a “square-stroke engine” with the same bore and stroke, but the ZII is a high-revving “short-stroke engine” with a stroke shorter than the bore.
The popular ZII can be customized in a variety of ways, with the most popular being the collective muffler and handlebar replacement, as well as the addition of a double disc front. However, the front and rear cast wheels introduced on the Kenji spec bike mentioned above were considered a high-end, advanced customization due to the extremely high cost of the wheels themselves.
The photo shows a Kawasaki Z1 custom made by Yoshimura Japan. While cherishing the excellent qualities of the Z1 and Yoshimura’s image from the 1970s, the latest design and manufacturing technology cultivated through many years of racing activities has been incorporated into the bike. The “current Yoshimura technology” has been reflected for street use.
ADVERTISEMENT
Yoshimura included! Customizations of the out-of-print, treasured Kawasaki Z1 (Z-One) | Motorcycle Show 2024 | Motor-Fan [Motor Fan] A media platform that distributes automotive-related articlesKawasaki Z1 (official name: Z900 Super 4)… Manufactured from 1972 to 1976. The official name of the Z1 (Zet One) is “Z900 Super 4.” Rather than its official name, it is often referred to by its model name, Z1 (Zet One).
What’s so great about the Kawasaki Z1/2? The key word is “Kawasaki’s first four-stroke.” | Classic Car Exploration 2-1 | Motor-Fan BikesAlthough the title of the first mass-produced in-line four-cylinder vehicle was lost to the Honda CB750 Four, Kawasaki began full-scale development of the Z1/2 in 1967 and released it in 1973, becoming an explosive hit model all over the world. However, at the time Kawasaki was a manufacturer specializing in two-strokes and had almost no experience with four-strokes, but the first four-stroke in-line four-cylinder vehicle developed by the company had overwhelming power performance that far exceeded the standards of large-displacement vehicles at the time. REPORT ● NAKAMURA Tomohiko PHOTO ● TOGASHI Hideaki Interview cooperation ● Realize 
042-686-2504 http://mytec-realize.com/
A 1/12 scale reproduction of the legendary 750cc Kawasaki Z2 (Z2/750RS) [AOSHIMA] | Motor-Fan, a media platform that distributes automotive-related articlesThe Bike Series No. 43 1/12 Kawasaki Z2 750RS ’73 with custom parts Price: ¥3,740 (including 10% tax) Scheduled for release in May 2024 The Z1 (Z-One) is hugely popular overseas! Japan’s top-tier […]
A limited edition return of a classic wheel! | Daytona’s Seven Star Wheels for the Z1 and Z2 will be released in July 2022 | Motor-Fan is a media platform that distributes automotive-related articles.Kawasaki Z1 & Z2 50th Anniversary Daytona Seven Star Cast Wheels… ¥297,000 (including 10% consumption tax) Scheduled for release in July 2022 (orders close June 18, 2021) 1975 (Showa 55) […]
