  We study the $\bar K p \to Y K\bar K \pi$ reactions with $\bar K = \bar K^0,
K^-$ and $Y=\Sigma^0, \Sigma^+, \Lambda$, in the region of $K\bar K \pi$
invariant masses of $1200-1550$ MeV. The strong coupling of the $f_1(1285)$
resonance to $K^* \bar K$ makes the mechanism based on $K^*$ exchange very
efficient to produce this resonance observed in the $K\bar K \pi$ invariant
mass distribution. In addition, in all the reactions one observes an associated
peak at $1420$ MeV which comes from the $K^* \bar K$ decay mode of the
$f_1(1285)$ when the $K^*$ is placed off shell at higher invariant masses. We
claim this to be the reason for the peak of the $K^* \bar K$ distribution seen
in the experiments which has been associated to the "$f_1(1420)$" resonance.
