Series: Legendary Motorcycles. Episode 7: Egli Kawasaki MRD 1

Photo: Motorradtest.de

There are such orders that you can only dream of as a motorcycle enthusiast technology freak. For example, this one: The editors of the magazine Motorrad Revue decided to make a report on the fastest motorcycle in the world at the end of the 1970s. But it shouldn't be just any series bike, it should be something very special. Consequently Fritz Egli was commissioned to build it, he called it Egli Kawasaki MRD 1.

The Swiss was known for his modifications, preferably Japanese motorcycles, which benefited from his frame and chassis modifications. This time, in 1978, Egli started with the engine. He chose the air-cooled unit of the Kawasaki Z 900, whose housing was more stable than that of the successor model Z 100. Block on 1016 cubic meters, forged piston used and now only the turbo kit with Rajay loader, carburetor and exhaust from American Turbo Pak (ATP) was missing. Depending on the charging pressure (0.7 to 0.9 bar), the charged engine produced 155 hp or more. Variants with the oil cooler mounted at the rear came to about 180 hp at full charge pressure.

The central tube frame was an Egli development, as was the 36 mm fork with stabilizer, at the rear a cantile trimer ensured good handling.

Done – the Egli was measured at supposedly more than 300 km/h, which was the order. Her brutal look caused a stir. Those who wanted one – depending on the source, five or eight were built – had to transfer no less than 47,000 marks to Switzerland, an adventurous sum for the circumstances of the time. Today, one would be glad to have bought a MRD 1, because they are traded for around 100,000 euros.