1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 "Find of the Century"

Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары

This is an early 1973 Kawasaki Z1900 with a very low serial number. The bike came from the original owner’s widow. We believe it sat out on a carport for some time and we were on the fence about doing a full restoration versus keeping it as a nice unrestored rider. We got the bike running great and started hanging lots of good used genuine parts on it, which seemed to blend well and I believe the bike will probably stay like this for some time to come as a nice every day rider. We believe that these authentic un-restored stock vintage bikes are the thing of the future. Enjoy our video.

Пікірлер: 287

  • @marioandmarie6468
    @marioandmarie6468 Жыл бұрын

    I grew up around these bikes, and have always loved them. I owned a '78 KZ1000 and '82 KZ 750 LTD, and always regretted selling the '78. These bikes bring back fond memories. Thanks for saving it and not butchering it like so many others. I would love to have that beautiful piece of history.

  • @patrickhailey5812
    @patrickhailey58125 жыл бұрын

    I just purchased a 1975 Z1B 900 from my father-in-law who bought the bike brand new in 75 in the green color. He bought it brand new off the showroom. He kept all the original paperwork, price tag from the handlebar, original owners manual, etc. The original title and the letter from Kawasaki congratulating him on the purchase of his new Kawasaki motorcycle as well as the Warranty Identification card they mailed him in his name for the bike. It even has the original loop style key ring they used from the factory on the key. He only managed to put about 7,000 miles on it, he added the super shield, travel pack, and sissy bar from the dealer. Its been sitting for years in his garage next to a beautiful 1971 Honda CB350 that he also bought brand new. Neither bike had been ridden in years due to health conditions and he just hated seeing them sit. They do need some work, tires, carbs gone through and etc from sitting and I cant wait to get them back on the road.

  • @Johnnysvintage

    @Johnnysvintage

    5 жыл бұрын

    How fantastic is this. Keep them as intact as you can. What a great story. If we can help let us know!

  • @dcrahn
    @dcrahn5 жыл бұрын

    Love these bikes because I have a 1973 Z1 900. I bought it back in 1974 from the local Kaw dealer. It had been wrecked with just 1500 miles on it. The owner ran in to the back of of car. Frame was okay but they replace the whole front end. Only changes I made was a custom airbrush paint job and Hooker 4 into 1 headers.

  • @retiredguyadventures6211
    @retiredguyadventures62115 жыл бұрын

    I got out of the Navy in 73 and a year later I bought a 74 900 Z-1. About 10 years later I bought a KZ-1000 LTD. Loved my old Kaws...

  • @steelwheels327
    @steelwheels3276 жыл бұрын

    The 70's Japanese bikes have a certain great sound even todays inline four don't have

  • @gorflunk

    @gorflunk

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's the 2 valve vs the modern 4 valve heads that really make the difference. Love the sound a Kerker makes, deep and throaty but not obnoxiously loud.

  • @twatson6252
    @twatson62526 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for reviving these old Kawasaki's. I had the same exact bike in high school in 1977. Before that i had a 71 500 triple. Man nothing in the day could outrun or catch either one of them except the 750 triple of course. Sure brings back memories. Again thanks for the memories.

  • @MeMe-pk2ks

    @MeMe-pk2ks

    2 жыл бұрын

    I NO THAT WELL I ALSO HAD THE 500 TRIPLE WISH I STILL HAD IT

  • @nandoGdog
    @nandoGdog6 жыл бұрын

    I agree that these unrestored original bikes are the way to go, I hate seeing all the old Japanese bikes being hacked up into café racers.

  • @brettwyatt7165

    @brettwyatt7165

    6 жыл бұрын

    Yeah that's a good point .. I don't think you need to hack em up to make a cool cafe racer .. I like stock original bikes like these

  • @crappyatlife

    @crappyatlife

    5 жыл бұрын

    I'm fine with cafe racers if the bike is completely whipped. What pisses me off is assholes chopping up bikes in decent shape.

  • @danchoptij4933

    @danchoptij4933

    5 жыл бұрын

    What is a cafe racer? Who races to a cafe?

  • @lesterfalcon1350

    @lesterfalcon1350

    5 жыл бұрын

    Cafe racer's do.

  • @SvenTviking

    @SvenTviking

    4 жыл бұрын

    Anybody who caff (yeah CAFF) races a Z1 needs their head examining. A pristine or fully restored one is getting on £30,000 in the UK.

  • @dannymccune1888
    @dannymccune18886 жыл бұрын

    I have one. An original '73. All stock, except for the seat and tires. Even got stock mufflers. I found it at Vista Kawasaki in 1973. New. Rode it home June 7, 1973. No rust. Not for sale. Eat your hearts out...😍

  • @markdrouin8094

    @markdrouin8094

    5 жыл бұрын

    Danny McCune Lucky dog👍

  • @GERALDJZOLLI

    @GERALDJZOLLI

    4 жыл бұрын

    Road my tomato orange home Dec 72. Stolen June 74. Still go to years everytime I see or hear about one. Not sure if the one on post is a 73, because I can't tell if engine is black.

  • @r5156c

    @r5156c

    3 жыл бұрын

    Pictures or its not true!

  • @dannymccune1888

    @dannymccune1888

    3 жыл бұрын

    GERALD J. ZOLLI - looking close at the video you can see nooks that still have black paint. Early ones lost engine paint. The first two used to be in a museum(s) in Japan. Number 3 was at Kawasaki headquarters in Michigan. I knew the man that owned #4. It was still in the crate. A 750 Honda crate (Honda gave Kawasaki some big bike shipping crates early on). He sold the bike, still in the box to an employee. That guy died. His brother "inherited" the bike, put it together and started riding it. Idiot. Today it would be worth six figures. I saw it on the road 2 or 3 times in the 90's - a "brand new" Z1 riding around Louisville. I wonder what Jay Leno would give for it still in the shipping crate...

  • @theAussieG
    @theAussieG4 жыл бұрын

    I don’t understand how people let their bikes get in this condition. And he loved this bike? I’d hate to see it’s condition if he didn’t love it. I keep my Hayabusa in my garage with a cover on it as well. Love how well the bikes are restored and the accessories you make in your shop. They are worth up to $30,000 or more in Australia.

  • @tahirusman5929
    @tahirusman59295 жыл бұрын

    Maannn!Reminds me of younger days.Of course these things were not available in those days where I live but used to drool over them in magazines!

  • @jlucasound
    @jlucasound7 жыл бұрын

    You are a genius sir. Thank you for sharing this. As you may have guessed, I love these bikes.

  • @gamingvelociraptor8865
    @gamingvelociraptor88655 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video Johnny from all of us in the UK. Can't understand why so many thumbs down,what's not to like here?

  • @Johnnysvintage

    @Johnnysvintage

    5 жыл бұрын

    It was hard for me to figure out as well. This was a good bike with some very good features. It brought a lot of comments.

  • @22kawa
    @22kawa6 жыл бұрын

    This legendary bike is a real tressure to keep.I wish a had this bike in my garage right now.It is a gem!!I love it man!!Great find!!

  • @anthonyrooney6430
    @anthonyrooney64306 жыл бұрын

    The right level of restore Id'e say, fantastic work.

  • @KutWrite
    @KutWrite6 жыл бұрын

    Wow, great resto! Thanks for sharing!

  • @kyotosal
    @kyotosal6 жыл бұрын

    Wow! Amazing job. It's sounds just like the 2018 Z900RS. Says a lot about the Kawasaki team and how they tuned the exhaust of the new one. Congratulations. Very impressive work.

  • @richardt8604
    @richardt86046 жыл бұрын

    Nice to see a new lease on life tor this bike I'm sure that previous owner would be proud of ya work ! Looks real nice !

  • @Robert8455
    @Robert84557 жыл бұрын

    Man that is so sweet! I like what you've done. Certainly a bike you can ride.

  • @blue04mx53
    @blue04mx536 жыл бұрын

    this reminds me so much of a restore I did of a 1972 Kawasaki 175. One thing I did even though it violated the 'original' concept was to replace all the philips head bolts with hex head bolts. I just couldn't stand trying to tighten the philips bolts and having them 'cam out'. I bought the bike for 700 , put 600 in parts into it then sold it for 600. But, it was a fun project. I also converted the 6 volt system to 12 volt and used all LEDs for lights. Thanks for the post.

  • @SandorFule
    @SandorFule4 жыл бұрын

    Your workshop and business blew my brain. :) Unbelieveable! Congrats!

  • @garycrisp429
    @garycrisp4292 жыл бұрын

    Lovely sympathetic restoration. I'm a 70's early 80's Suzuki fan but this is a beautiful Kawasaki.

  • @jameszane9433
    @jameszane94335 жыл бұрын

    ONLY ONE COLOR BURNT ORANGE AND ROWN HAD A BRAND NEW ONE IN 1973 BAD ASS FOR ITS DAY!!!!!!!!!

  • @damaroptical2920
    @damaroptical29203 жыл бұрын

    That's the sound I grew up to my oh my how things have changed, no possible replacement for analog and yes those breaks do the job! Good show.

  • @redleadervfr-v4906
    @redleadervfr-v49062 жыл бұрын

    That’s brilliant buddy really enjoyed watching this video. Great that you went to a lot of trouble to keep this bike as genuine as possible. I like to see a good looking old example being used in that condition. Thanks for your time buddy

  • @nickroach9015
    @nickroach90156 жыл бұрын

    thanks for sharing,great stuff !

  • @Tudorp15
    @Tudorp154 жыл бұрын

    This brought back some memories. I had a 73 Z1900 back in 1980 when I was in the Air Force serving at Barksdale AFB in Bossier City. Had a lot of fun with that bike. One that I wished I still had.

  • @mickeywianecki9105

    @mickeywianecki9105

    4 жыл бұрын

    Tudorp15 same here, but I was at Dyess

  • @johnbelcher7164
    @johnbelcher71645 жыл бұрын

    The Bikes i rode in those days Awesome

  • @jmh8743
    @jmh87436 жыл бұрын

    things that are old bring youth back. well done. it would be fun to ride, especially nor 45 yrs later. i was 30.

  • @bsimpson6204
    @bsimpson62044 жыл бұрын

    I tried stainless steel pipes, they were hopeless, so stiff to bend and often don’t bed on to the connections properly and leak. So I make my own from zinc plated copper brake pipe. I get the copper pipe plated locally. It looks good, it’s easy to form, it beds down on the couplings very easily and most importantly, it doesn’t leak. Mint bike btw, wish it was mine

  • @Raheelkhan-wl7hg
    @Raheelkhan-wl7hg6 жыл бұрын

    plz dont play the music in back ground when the engine is growling and when you are riding :)

  • @garystratton4125
    @garystratton41253 жыл бұрын

    Another fine job on another classic motorcycle.

  • @jeffallinson8089
    @jeffallinson80894 жыл бұрын

    Stunning job. Brilliant restoration of one of my all time favourite bikes.

  • @Z4NL

    @Z4NL

    4 жыл бұрын

    This job has nothing to do with a restoration. They made an old bike running again and replaced some parts that the previous owner deemed to be an upgrade for more original looking stuff.

  • @jeffallinson8089

    @jeffallinson8089

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@Z4NL Your nit picking. It is a restoration as the owner restored it by making it original.

  • @ronsbeerreviewstools4361
    @ronsbeerreviewstools43617 жыл бұрын

    This is a great post. good job.

  • @joebulgozdi5099
    @joebulgozdi50995 жыл бұрын

    "he really loved this bike", kinda hit home.

  • @DeereX748
    @DeereX7484 жыл бұрын

    Very nice renewal, I won't call it a restoration, it's even better. I bought a '74 model Z1B in 1978, only non-stock item on it was a Hooker header; at the time, I was riding a 1975 S-3 400cc triple. The little 400 was quicker to 60 than the 900, but after that, all you'd see of the 400 was in the rearview of the 900, and I had to have it. Bought it from a guy I sometimes rode with. Kept it until 1985, put over 60,000 miles on it without a single hiccup. Only thing I ever did to it was an oil cooler, fork brace, and a hall-type ignition to eliminate the points. Fantastic motorcycle, I'd love to have another one.

  • @tomquinn7896
    @tomquinn78967 жыл бұрын

    Great work!

  • @rustygray8564
    @rustygray85643 жыл бұрын

    You defiantly have Z1 knowledge I have a 73 and need to go look at the "detail's" I had no idea. Thanks for the video's

  • @jlucasound
    @jlucasound7 жыл бұрын

    Wow! You know way more than I thought I did.

  • @SkyrayModels
    @SkyrayModels7 жыл бұрын

    Very cool early Z1.

  • @johnspinner2026
    @johnspinner20267 жыл бұрын

    Early good numbers a great find Johnny. Really like the way you went to the trouble of using the correct original dated parts where you could. So 70's with the Kerker pipe and the tank paint the way it is almost looks like a custom job from back then. I've got a Kerker pipe in my stash somewhere.Forgot how good they sound I'm gonna dig it out and put it on my A for something different for a while. Good work on that bike

  • @bombillo18
    @bombillo186 жыл бұрын

    AWESOME JOB....

  • @rebeccahornbach4728
    @rebeccahornbach47287 жыл бұрын

    Nice bike had a 1977 Z1000 back in the day,

  • @cecilwilson5442
    @cecilwilson54424 жыл бұрын

    Another great bike out of slumber to be ridden as its intended purpose,, and another owner will be able to enjoy the experience of the kawasaki z 😁😁😁🍀🍀🍀

  • @robertnewell1277
    @robertnewell12777 ай бұрын

    Beautiful! I got one or the first sitting in my garage, had it a couple of years, still haven’t got her on the road. Serial number Z1F-00015, matching engine Z1E00015.👍

  • @SportyClassic
    @SportyClassic6 жыл бұрын

    really really really really really really nice.

  • @andythemason3578
    @andythemason35782 жыл бұрын

    Wow amazing awesome job 🏍🏍🏍❤️

  • @c.waynebaker2778
    @c.waynebaker27784 жыл бұрын

    FWIW, stock side covers were solid Root Beer color. This one has been repainted somewhere along the way along the lines of a stock paint job, but it's not 100% accurate.

  • @Johnnysvintage

    @Johnnysvintage

    4 жыл бұрын

    Yes you're absolutely right. That bike was NOT original paint. Not even close. We didn't want to restore this one so we left it as we found it.

  • @keithdaniels1994
    @keithdaniels19946 жыл бұрын

    Wow! That sound brings back a lot of memories. Mine had a Mack header and a hot rodded engine. You know the welded crank and 1015 kit, it was an absolute Monster. Got rid of it back in the 80's and regraded it ever since. Guess I'll go check out the new RS.

  • @hitlereinstein8935

    @hitlereinstein8935

    5 жыл бұрын

    Bunnyshooter 223 they will hit the used market one day. Still have the nicest tail, in the business.

  • @peterhoulis1184
    @peterhoulis11843 жыл бұрын

    Ive owned 7 zeds over the years currently own a 73 z1a 900 and building a toecutters z1000a replica

  • @796andy2

    @796andy2

    Жыл бұрын

    how's it coming along ?

  • @davidgwynjones1737
    @davidgwynjones17377 жыл бұрын

    What a great find back in the day I was saving for one of these and they stopped producuction so I baught the new replacements which was the Z1000 which was a great bike in itself I wish I had hung on to mine happy days ,I ride a Vulcan 650 S nowadays a little more sedate but I am 63 lol

  • @mohawkdriver4155
    @mohawkdriver41552 жыл бұрын

    I need one of these in my life.

  • @ml2trick
    @ml2trick6 жыл бұрын

    Sweet......................Nice Job

  • @propdoctor21564
    @propdoctor215646 жыл бұрын

    Nice piece of history of got there

  • @dgc940
    @dgc9407 жыл бұрын

    let the good times roll! Oh Yea! Kerker kicks ass!

  • @robertekis2450
    @robertekis24506 жыл бұрын

    Don't you just love it when someone revs a cold engine?

  • @Johnnysvintage

    @Johnnysvintage

    6 жыл бұрын

    Robert, what makes you think he didn't start with a warm engine to begin with?

  • @ProjectFairmont
    @ProjectFairmont2 жыл бұрын

    Nice find.

  • @lordofthewoods
    @lordofthewoods4 жыл бұрын

    The father of a female classmate of mine, who lived only a block away, had the first one we saw. I think the first ones were on the hot side... to give good first impressions... and if I recall correctly, he told of raising the front wheel at 95 m.p.h. on throttle alone : )

  • @Johnnysvintage

    @Johnnysvintage

    4 жыл бұрын

    I love it

  • @c.waynebaker2778
    @c.waynebaker27784 жыл бұрын

    my '73 frame and engine numbers are even lower than that. Interesting observations about the bike shown in the picture, seems like back in the day everyone did all the same things to their Z's. Lester mags were pretty much standard (I got the first pair of Shelby-Dowd mags made for a Z to be different). Everyone added the dual disc and most people had their discs drilled just like that one. Most people flipped the fork legs so they could mount their calipers behind the forks. Brings back a lot of memories. I still have mine.

  • @Dallas-Nyberg
    @Dallas-Nyberg6 жыл бұрын

    They are a great bike......

  • @raybrensike42
    @raybrensike425 жыл бұрын

    Takes me back to when the new Kawasaki dealer came to town. It was set up in the old Nazarene church. My friend and I walked up the steps and were greeted by what looked like an usher. He asked what our preference was street or trail, and hands us a bulletin...I mean brochure. Up front (the sanctuary) were the triples. Weird experience.

  • @Johnnysvintage

    @Johnnysvintage

    5 жыл бұрын

    I love it!

  • @renegerstbauer2
    @renegerstbauer27 жыл бұрын

    very good job!

  • @luissignoret6946

    @luissignoret6946

    6 жыл бұрын

    René Gerstbauer nice. Bikes

  • @martynjames5963
    @martynjames59637 жыл бұрын

    Perfect restorations are not my cup of tea. I prefer an on-the-road used practical ride. Nice ride.

  • @SoyBoySigh
    @SoyBoySigh6 жыл бұрын

    It's GORGEOUS, don't get me wrong. But if you're gonna keep the 4-into-1 Kerker, I'm of a mind you shouldn't have stuck with the original rims and tires, etc. You should've kept the dual drilled front discs - or even have 'em rebuilt to the Z1R spec with the larger diameter discs for that matter. There's a guy on eBay doing CAST-IRON replacement discs for the early riveted Honda SOHC-4 rotors, but he'll do the Kawasaki version for you as well if you send in the carriers. The folks at METALGEAR in Australia make a superior type of Stainless, with a better coefficient of friction, just to get that OEM vibe without the rust spots flicked all over your rims etc. For RIMS, I'd suggest going with alloy, Super-Akront 3.50x18" on the rear (which IS period-correct for the Zed, believe it or not!), with the KZ400 40-spoke rear hub if you can get away with it, 'cause that drum's gotta weigh HALF that of the stock Zed version, (half that of the KZ650CSR drum in any case, that's what I had on hand for comparison) it's still a 180mm, 30mm wide instead of 40mm as with the Zed, but you could do a trick which I figured out for a Suzuki 4LS I modified, where I took the wider 2LS shoes from the T500 Titan and filed 'em down to the right width & alignment to take up all of the "slop" where the drum lining might actually be 32mm-33mm rather than the 30mm of the shoe itself. Of course you'd need to change out the bearings etc. Up FRONT, I'd shoot for a non-valanced Akront, preferably the TR profile not the TC which is substantially heavier. The shouldered/valanced/flanged rims are stiffer which is good for bumping curbs or hitting potholes & manhole covers etc, but they're heavier. Bit of a trade off there, but if we're gonna ride it smart and NOT bash into everything, I'd prefer to take my chances and find as lightweight of a 2.50x18" or 2.75x18" front rim as one could dredge up. I've got some choice alloy rims for my "CB900K0 Bol Bomber", spares for my daughter's next bike - I've got 3.50x16" & 4.25x18" set aside for MINE (and a spare set) but for her's I've set aside a 3.50x18" Super-Akront which is VERY period-correct to the early '70s - it was first seen on the Harley XRTT racers with the Honda dual front discs. Plus I've got some 2.50x18" un-marked Borrani from Harley XLH rear wheels, which would bolt right up to the FRONT hub, and well I've got 3.0x18" MORAD but you can get the 3.0x18" BORANNI rim from Motocicli Veloci Milano, in Milan Italy. The Harley XLH version is actually preferred 'cause they've got the bead retention ridges meaning you can seal that rim up with silicone & run it without a tube! They're a lot heavier than the SUPER-AKRONT rims though. Substantial difference there. So I'm hunting around for a decent lightweight rim to match for my daughter's bike. I've found Akront "NERVI" to rebuild a front COMSTAR wheel, using 79-'80 CM400 front spokes and CB750F2 front hub. Either I'll find another wire rim in 2.5x18" that's a suitable weight & style to match the Super-Akront, OR perhaps I'll find another Akront "NERVI" center-flange rim for a rear COMSTAR wheel - Hopefully BOTH! Would make a nice "Wet/Dry Track-Day" pairing, or more like switching 'em off every couple of years when we can afford a 2nd set of TIRES, having spent all of the budget on these rims! Ha-ha. Actually, these rims I've mentioned only set me back like $50ea, on average. Sometimes as little as $15-$25 for the Super-Akront in 3.50x16" to use for FRONT rims in the Interceptor style, the "Freddie Spencer Replica" style, but with the wire wheels & "toaster-tank" style with the polished alloy tank from CB1100R - the "Duck-Tail" seat-cover from '69 CB750K0 Sand-Cast, etc etc. (((Her CURRENT project is a "KZ440LOL", using the Suzuki 4LS drum with 3.0x16" Borrani rims for Maxi-Scooter tires in 110/70-16 & 140/70-16, all NOS belt-drive with a few different ratios on hand, a modified tank with the top half from H1 triple and the tunnel from KZ440LTD - (I've still gotta get that welded up properly - might play around with a bigger tank say an H2 version for instance) Just a whole SCHWACK of crazy stuff going on, with a sort of Cafe vs Mini-Bike sort of vibe....))) That bike would be very cool with a nice low bar and some rear-sets on it - Nothing TOO radical, just more of an AMA Superbike racing style, rather than a European FIM Endurance, GODIER GENOUD type of ergonomics. All I'm suggesting, is something in keeping with that four-into-one pipe! Hotted up in a period-correct style, but not in the HALF-ASSED way in which so many riders did things. Might be nice to do a loop underbrace welded to the OEM swing-arm. Rather than swapping to a period-correct aftermarket swinger. Well, even stuff like the CAL-FAB on my Honda, they're more period-correct to the early '80s rather than 1972-'73, so the loop underbrace is how it would've been done at the time. I'm only hoping to see something out there on the road for US to race with, me and the kid, something with original period-correct aesthetics and tech etc (outward observable tech that is, so an electronic ignition or lithium battery etc isn't a problem!) Something which hasn't been turned into another one of these hideous "STARBUCKS RACERS" as I like to call 'em - with all of theh GAWDAWFUL fugly '90s-Y2K+ Crotch-Rocketry going on with the USD forks & 17" cast wheels etc. Which just utterly WRECKS a bike's own intrinsic TIME TRAVEL mechanism, if you get my meaning. It's AWESOME to restore a bike to original spec. But it's kinda lame to do so at the expense of the HOT-ROD GO-FAST parts, like that four-into-one KERKER pipe you've got. And by the way, I wholeheartedly agree with your choice to go with the CHROME pipe! My '82 DOHC-4 Honda has the original WOLFE pipe on it, with the hand-bent header and a very early version of a canister - it's a lovely pipe, but it lacks the finned retainer rings and it's a fugly flat-black colour. I'd get the thing chromed if it weren't gonna ruin it's whole period-correct original character. This pipe is a pain in the ass for the OIL & FILTER CHANGES though. It's a pure RACING pipe, no question about it. Isn't enough room for a slice of cheese in between the headers and filter housing or sump, frame rails etc. Absolutely air-tight fitment if you can picture that. Gotta take the whole damn thing off every thousand kilometers..... But the one thing I really miss is the LOOK of the original chrome pipes, the contrast of the exhaust tubes to the rest of the bike etc. I also love an engine which has been blasted down to the bare alloy. Whereas my engine is an '82 model so it's black. YUCK. Bare alloy, polished alloy, a touch of chrome or better yet faux chrome over fiberglass fenders etc, and the CANDY PAINT - imho, that's where it's at!

  • @ouimetco
    @ouimetco3 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful

  • @kawythowy867
    @kawythowy8675 жыл бұрын

    I have a 77’ Kz 1000 a1. Just was pulled totally apart this last winter and all new parts on everything. I mean..everything. Wiring harness. Grommets. Powder coat frame. Chrome some parts. Rebuilt braking system. New cables. New EVERYTHING. Only thing that wasn’t changed or redone was the junction box under the seat. It’s BEAUTIFUL....love it. Extended and chromed the swing arm 7”. Super bike bars. Complete new body set with the 74’ stock paint job. Thin European slightly stepped seat,NOT the surf board most came with but a really nice seat. It’s thin and has a nice step up. Chromed 17” rim from Buchanan spoke in California. Fender Eliminator kit. Pulled the turn signals off the front and put really short ones in the back. Anyways. You get the point. It is clean clean clean. Looks awesome. I’ll never sell it. Everywhere I go everyone always loves it...pull into a gas station and people are always coming to look at it. LOVE LOVE MY KZ!!

  • @raybrensike3707
    @raybrensike37077 жыл бұрын

    Does sound good. Smokes a bit like they are supposed to. Brings back memories. They were the fastest thing in their day.

  • @droceretik

    @droceretik

    7 жыл бұрын

    What smoke? It was 2 below zero. That was exhaust water vapor from a cold motor.

  • @raybrensike3707

    @raybrensike3707

    7 жыл бұрын

    Well, if you don't get any smoke at all, you have an odd one. All of them I saw and rode had just a little smoke and that's normal.

  • @twatson6252

    @twatson6252

    6 жыл бұрын

    Sure you not thinking about the 2 stroke triples my 900 did not smoke except the rear tire and man what a sound with a 4 into 1 megaphone with the baffle removed. Mine made me famous in my small town it was the fastest thing anybody had ever seen. i finally learned to wheelie it and it was awesome.

  • @twatson6252

    @twatson6252

    6 жыл бұрын

    I agree.

  • @leemichaels7628

    @leemichaels7628

    6 жыл бұрын

    Funny thing... When I finally sold my pristine Z1A, The buyer discounted my price because I traded the original mufflers for the Kerker 4 to 1. But what a difference in performance!!! Wow do I regret, nowadays, that I needed the money so much then :(

  • @kingharryannis
    @kingharryannis6 жыл бұрын

    The 70s bikes had style.

  • @georgeharrod7805
    @georgeharrod78057 жыл бұрын

    A nice sympathetic clean up for that survivor, no need to gild the lily.Kerker is a good choice for that bike.

  • @ryoung5299
    @ryoung529912 сағат бұрын

    This guy could make chicken salad out of chicken poop. Amazing!

  • @funguseater40
    @funguseater406 жыл бұрын

    Great job on the rebuild. I personally hate "nut and bolt" restorations. I would buy this bike against a full restoration any day. A good everyday usable bike. I've had 3 z650's and a kz1000 LTD in the past.... Wish I still had them!

  • @craigbalnaves4326
    @craigbalnaves43264 жыл бұрын

    Good Job. However, I am another one that think twin discs are absolutely necessary. The single disc was a death trap, as I found out on a few occasions.

  • @gorflunk

    @gorflunk

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ain't that the truth. You have to have a strong right hand to get them to stop decently with one disc. I swapped mine out with a dual disc setup from a later model and the difference is remarkable. Makes the front wheel way heavier, though.

  • @soumilinon
    @soumilinon6 жыл бұрын

    Had two `73 900`s myself ,the second one was a very early model with the same vacuum line setup,but there was 2 per cyl., 1 on the rubber intake and 1 on the head,apparently it was to test the seal between the rubber and metal intakes

  • @lostsoul3154
    @lostsoul31544 жыл бұрын

    Z1 shook the Honda world.

  • @barrymcockener4336
    @barrymcockener43366 жыл бұрын

    Wow had no idea what I had, bought a shop and one of these things were in there and it was all complete. Don't know if it ran or not but my dad came by and took it off my hands.

  • @BugsWisely
    @BugsWisely4 жыл бұрын

    Cool as heaven.

  • @PaulPX
    @PaulPX3 жыл бұрын

    Nice Series 2 Lammie in the background

  • @estees5432
    @estees54325 жыл бұрын

    The Z1 900 was a legend in the mid-seventies

  • @cjsteele9594

    @cjsteele9594

    4 жыл бұрын

    Loved my 78KZ 1000!!!

  • @leonlawrencez28
    @leonlawrencez285 жыл бұрын

    My dad had a Kawasaki 900. Fast bike.

  • @jlucasound
    @jlucasound7 жыл бұрын

    Kudos to your camera(wo)man

  • @robertharrold4214
    @robertharrold42147 жыл бұрын

    WAS RIDING MY Z900 TODAY. UK.

  • @Johnnysvintage

    @Johnnysvintage

    7 жыл бұрын

    Enjoy!

  • @budact4837
    @budact48376 жыл бұрын

    Espectacular

  • @fnq-8890
    @fnq-88907 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant Z1 find, if anybody wants to see a great old movie full of 900 Z1s, check out " stone " - opening credits - 1974 Cheesy 70s shtick but well made with lots of Z1s on film.

  • @jlucasound

    @jlucasound

    7 жыл бұрын

    "Stone"? I am looking it up. Also "Mad Max". The first one. Road Warrior? Lots of KZ's. Also the cop (that got torched) had a 2 stroke (KH500? I think it was an S2 350) as his "runabout" :-)

  • @clickbaitcharlie2329

    @clickbaitcharlie2329

    7 жыл бұрын

    Queenslander pure Aussie artistry.

  • @fnq-8890

    @fnq-8890

    7 жыл бұрын

    +kelvin sparke KS you are obviously a discerning man with impeccable taste.

  • @graemewilliams1308

    @graemewilliams1308

    7 жыл бұрын

    "Stone" Yeah great flick. Bought a Jaffa 900 new from Peter Stevens, $1845. Still have the sales brochure.

  • @mickkennedy1344
    @mickkennedy13446 жыл бұрын

    The horn comes from Noddy's car --- and he wants it back!

  • @jimclarke1108
    @jimclarke11084 жыл бұрын

    Great bikes the Z

  • @albymangled
    @albymangled6 жыл бұрын

    After having looked at the WHOLE vid...this is a pretty cool old bike and I agree that these oldies shouldn't be chopped and brazed into cafe' racers. What do you think this bike is now worth?

  • @t120bonnie1
    @t120bonnie14 жыл бұрын

    I notice you do not have the original exhaust (a 2) you have a four into one on it. the original exhaust wound cost more than the bike is worth and that is why alot of these Z 900 were left lying around,Kawasaki actually stopped making the proper 2into2 exhaust. they could be bought from another company who,in the '70 charged about $1800 for Z900 exhaust

  • @mmarciniak
    @mmarciniak Жыл бұрын

    This bike really truly was a franken-bike. That does NOT indicate that the owner really cared for it, like was stated.

  • @northerniltree
    @northerniltree6 жыл бұрын

    After sitting or decades, do you squirt some Marvel Oil (or equivalent) into the cylinders via the plug hole to help unstick rings and prep the cylinder walls for action well before you intend to fire it up?

  • @fnq-8890
    @fnq-88907 жыл бұрын

    I hear you GW, for a lot of us it's still the most exciting bike out there, but can't believe how they went backwards in looks between the stunning first model black motor Z1 past the As & Bs to the garish Green & Brown models of the Z900 .. & the Z1000s were even worse. Hope the douche at the factory who was responsible got a decent Mike Tyson sized uppercut for it.

  • @jlucasound
    @jlucasound7 жыл бұрын

    If one could make the connection, there would be an abundant supply of brand NOS parts from Kawasaki. That would be heaven.

  • @22kawa
    @22kawa5 жыл бұрын

    You sir are a genius!!

  • @bullettube9863
    @bullettube98634 жыл бұрын

    Ah Yes, the Kawaski 900, two Honda 450 engines made into a inline four.

  • @jlucasound
    @jlucasound7 жыл бұрын

    I remember that! I had a Bassani Header and it messed with the center stand. I think I may have just taken it off.

  • @djackthatsright348
    @djackthatsright3487 жыл бұрын

    Had a 74' with twin turbos on it, sorta scary kind of ride. I love these bikes though.

  • @jamesb.9155

    @jamesb.9155

    4 жыл бұрын

    Twin turbos! . . . must have been hazardous fun!

  • @bigred8438
    @bigred84384 жыл бұрын

    You know, some people would love to hear the music of the bike exhaust as opposed to some loud music in the back ground!

  • @Johnnysvintage

    @Johnnysvintage

    4 жыл бұрын

    Big Red, we're getting better. Check out our later vids as this was one of our earlier ones. Thanks for watching

  • @eds1994fatboy
    @eds1994fatboy6 жыл бұрын

    A friend of mine went to a Kawasaki dealer 1972 in Hammond Indiana and he chose the H-2 750 over the 900.I hated following him.....cough cough I had a CB 750 with a Kerker.Mine was average fast at the time.But man that triple Ken had was lightning quick.And the way he rode it .....the front wheel hardly ever saw the ground.At US-30 Dragstrip back in the day ....Gary Indiana......he smoked almost everything with 2 and 4 wheels.Only the better mod fuel pro stockers would get him.Most just barely.....Great vid sir....brought back good memories...!!!

  • @RogerBarraud

    @RogerBarraud

    4 жыл бұрын

    CB750 makes another 15 miles while Dweebfeatures is still in the gas station...

  • @need100k
    @need100k4 жыл бұрын

    I know you want to make it original but I really hate spoke wheels. So difficult to clean and maintain. I bought a new 1981 Kawasaki KZ750E with alloy wheels. I would never buy a bike with spokes. Not as powerful as the 900 but I really loved that bike.

  • @marks2731
    @marks27314 жыл бұрын

    I have a 98 600cc bandit. Had it for 2 years. Old, heavy and slow. Lots of time on eBay, get it original, where I can.. Took ages to find a rear mudguard that had not been chopped about.

  • @skydiver1013
    @skydiver10135 жыл бұрын

    He also put dual disk's on the font and installed mag wheels so he can install a disk on the back.

  • @albymangled
    @albymangled6 жыл бұрын

    spark plug guards....hahahah...they are there to protect the head fins IMHO...

  • @Z4NL

    @Z4NL

    4 жыл бұрын

    He also called the carb boots "manifolds"

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