Owned a Z1 in 1986. I bought it from a 20 year old still living with his parents in Carmel, California. He crashed it the first time he rode it, breaking the alternator cover and dumping all the oil out. I paid $200. I paid $25 for an alternator cover at a San Jose motorcycle junk yard. Ran great. It was powerful but not as unruly as my previous Kaw 500 two stroke. It would do burn outs with that skinny rear tire but never felt unmanageable.
Owned a cherry ‘72 H2 750 in 1986. King of the road until a friend pulled away from me with his 1986 Honda 750 Nighthawk. Bought it in ‘74 had a lot of fun with it. Nobody wanted to race me in the 70s. I did race a 351 cobra jet, what an awesome sounding engine, that and my 3 cylinder 2 stroke made some pretty music. (Of course I blew his doors off.) Unfortunately I sold it a year later, so now it sits in Jay Lenos garage instead of mine. Dummy me I guess.
Own a new 1974 Z1 900 back in day. Best motorcycle I ever had. 53 miles to the gallon at 70mph and would cruise all day long. Had a car hit me in Dec of 1977 and spent 13 months in the hospital. No more motorcycle. Damn what a sweet ride it was.
Still have my 78 LTD 1000, bought it in June of 78 ,never gets old riding it.have had many offers for it ,have no desire to let it go,had it since I was a kid
I've been riding a KZ650 as a daily driver for 23 seasons.....can't replicate the feel of the old Kawasaki. *shrug* It's still a satisfying rush giving it a twist. :) I hear you.
Kawasaki z 900 rs model is a fine traditional motorcycle 👍 This Honda is also a great traditional model www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/range/street/cb1100-rs/overview.html
Yeah I was a spotty teenager back then and used to drool at all those beautiful bikes from the land of the rising Sun. Out of all those bikes, the only one I ever got to ride was the Suzuki GT750 watercooled triple.(Water Buffallo) or as we called it the (Kettle) But my favourite bike was the Z1 Kawasaki 900.
Shame because it will probably be in the Junk Yard by now. My Brother had one and owned it from 1986 till the mid 90's and sold it for only £600. Whats that in Oz Dollars? But the bastard who bought it off him revved it mercilessly and broke the engine in only a short period of time. I wish I had the cash at the time, and I would have bought it off him, just to save it from this Moronic Riders of today, who thrash heir bikes mercilessly up and down the Motorway where I live. These bikes bring serious money these days. When I was a Youth back in the 70's. I lusted after a GT750 or a Kawasaki 900 Z1 But could not afford to buy either of them. You are lucky to have owned two of those "Kettles" or GT750's as we knew them, or the "Water Buffallo" in the States. If you still have the other one. Look after it, these are fast appreciating "Classics" now.
Bravo. I came here after watching and hearin a CBX 1000. I own a 75’ Z1b and was wanting compare sound. What do know somebody that actual give the Z Somme beans. Not only that a nice long burn out. Bravo.
Ah, such sweet memories of my youth. I had a Z1C, in the brown and orange with the long rear wheel mud guard. I loved that bike, warts and all. I wished I had never sold it.
i have a early production 72 frame number z1f-00999 plus 2 74's 81 numbers apart 2 75 racebikes and a couple of more 74's that are hotrodded to death and get ridden alot plus a herd of kz's as well
Whoever restored that blue Z1B at the beginning of this video is a genius. (Perfectionist) It's the best I've ever seen. I've owned my own A4 now for 40 years but it's nothing compared to this. Although mine is actually used on the road. It's difficult trying to keep them pristine especially in the UK !!!
Don't think so. Guys my age (yours too?) who always wanted one but were too young or too broke. After that, people would insist on modern braking, handling, and fuel injection.
It’s like the girl from highschool that I never got. Can’t get her out of my head. She set the standards for all future girls (and bikes). Thanks for sharing.
Amen to that. I’ll sign up for one as well. If they refuse to remake the Z900, I can settle for a Z1300. I miss that calm and stable six-shooter as well.
Hahahah yep...Those girls still come to mind ....The ones with perfect hair and meticulously pressed tight jeans...How are they coming with that time machine concept I wonder 🤔
Looks just as beautiful now as it did the first time I saw one in the dealer's showroom back in the 70s. An all time classic beauty. It caused one hell of a stir when it came out.
I rode the Z1 a lot even though it wasn't mine, then I became a police officer five years later and eventually made it onto the motor squad. At the time I was riding a Police Harley. A real pig, but fun to cruise on and it had a nice exhaust note. But in 1977 the city went with the new Kawasaki Police 1000 and OMG, the motor guys thought we died and went to heaven. Now that was an enforcement bike and made the Harley feel like a bucket of bolts. So much faster and better handling, there was nothing better at the time. The motor must have been a relative of the KZ900 and the 1000 powerplant hung around for years after, it was that reliable. In all fairness to the Harley, they have improved since that era, but let's face it, they had what, about a 50 or 60-year head start on Kawasaki, Honda, etc. I believe Harley's improvement curve was like a snail, whereas the other manufacturers came out of the blocks firing on all pistons. If I didn't have to chase people at high speed, the Harley was OK, but the Police 1000 Kawasaki was so much faster and safer, no comparison. Today's Harleys are a different breed of cat and ten years ago I broke down and bought a used tribute to police Harley Road King. I've been a sportbike rider since I was a teenager and never thought I would own a Harley, but the uniform dark blue color of the bike caught my eye so I bought it. I had fun upgrading it, but after three chain case gaskets blew, one when I was in the middle of Death Valley, Ca. on a road trip, I was done with the brand. I wanted to do more touring so a buddy on the DV ride, also a Harley owner decided to buy a Honda Goldwing and I followed suit. Never looked back and I still own a Ducati Superbike 999R for those times when I get a wild hair to rail in the foothills. Just think, the Z1 was a rocket back in the early 70s, producing 82HP. Today, top sportbikes, superbikes that is are commonly rated at 200HP and higher, they are also lighter as well. Back when I rode the ZI 900 Kawasaki, I thought it was the fastest thing on two wheels, scary fast at times. Now it would probably feel like a slug, well, not quite.
This was THE big bike aspired to by many during the days of my motorcycling novitiate. It took over the reign from the legendary Honda 750, by then evolved to the K4. I rode one, but though cheaper than Italian, I never bought a Z1 despite their impressive motor and power. Japanese street frame design and suspension then weren't conducive to high speed handling, particularly high speed cornering like they are today, and the Z1's handling was no a match for its stunning engine performance. I bought a Ducati 860GTS instead, which I ultimately came to regret when when the big end failed and motor disintegrated at just 27,000km on the odo, and then a 750SS Desmo. After I blew that up too along with splitting the barrel and cylinder on my 450 Desmo, twice, all operated within Desmo RPM spec limitations and filled with the correct grade of Penzoil mineral oil, it became clear Italian metallurgy of the day was as bad as Japanese frame design of the day. Went back to Jap bikes and never broke another motor.
You and some of my friends mate. In those days you had a choice. Brit machinery, leaking oil like crazy and broke down often but alway repairable, Italian mostly terminal, Japanese, bucking bronco around the bends. I went the bronco route and loved every moment.
An 18yo friend of mine's parents bought him one... shouldn't have to say more , but , 17 days later , station wagon going about 70 meets Z1 going about 90. My parents immediately put a halt on my plans for an RD350! In hindsight I probably would have ended up like Benny! There were\are very few young ( 18-25yrs ) people with the proper amount of maturity and experience to be turned loose with high performance equipment like these. There was a time when most younger riders couldn't get insurance for anything over 750cc at any price. Thanks for the review , brought back a lot of memories!
I remember clearly. I have posted earlier in the thread. It changed my life, really, It made me fall in love with motorbikes and that passion is as strong today as it was as a young teenager dreaming of having my own Z1
1978 as a teenage kid I lived on a rough council estate, one of our neighbours had one of these in his garage. It was brilliant white with a matching half faring on the front and the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Every time he cruised past we would all stop what ever we were doing a watch it go past. We thought he was the coolest guy on the estate.
jason backes lol my US Navy boyfriend who was stationed in West Wales UK in 1975 had a Kawasaki 900 exactly like this he worked on it in the kitchen of his rented farmhouse lol beaut machine.
Then he was one "Lucky Guy" these bikes were for people like me, the bike of our "Dreams" and he owned one! I see them one You-tube now being abused and completely neglected and for me, an ageing ex-biker, it really pisses me off to see these once "Legendary" bikes being treated in this way. These are now "Classics" and in good original condition, sell for mega money.
@MDS It looks to me that he keeps this bike in first class condition. The Z1 was the performance bike of that period. It deserves to be ridden hard occasionally. What is the point otherwise. It is like classic race cars, many of them race. It is what they are made for. Nothing sadder than seeing a performance machine in a museum or being ridden at a snails pace.
Great machine! Strong and reliable motor! Piece of Motorcycle History! First real Superbyke! Z1 forever! First one able to beat the original H2! Greetings from Brazil!
I had a 74 Brown with Gold. We put a 1013 kit in it and raised the compression by two points. Web cams and I already had the big Mikunis. I go up two teeth on the rear sprocket and put a Yoshimiro pipe on it. I weighed 140 pounds. Nobody could catch me. I ran a 10.33. I almost killed myself on it. I sold my H! to get it. I would still like the H1 back. It had Bridgeport jugs and Wirgess pipes. I sold it to a friend and it broke a record in California for 500 cc stock and ran 11.9. Crazy little bike. Hit 6500 and hold on for your life. It was clocked on the LIE at 129 mph. My friend was riding it. He didn't get away. He got arrested.
Certainly a beautiful bike. My next-door neighbor had both the Honda 750 and the Z1 Kawasaki. He was nice enough to let me ride either one any time I wanted and he even willed them to me if he did not survive a colon cancer operation. Fortunately, he did survive and told me he willed them to me because I talked him into getting the operation, I couldn't believe he was considering not to. When the spec said top speed was 135 mph, I can attest I reached that speed at the bottom of hgwy 17 going into Los Gatos from Santa Cruz, Ca. I laid down on the tank because of wind blast and then shut down after the speedo showed 135mph. It was a great bike and strange how it seemed so much faster than the reported 82hp compared to modern bikes that is.
I think that the Kawasaki 900 Z1 was the best bike ever to come out of Japan. It has a classic look to it that never seems toage. It was a dream of mine to own one back in the day, but they were very expensive. These bikes sell for mega money these days, so to those of you out there with well looked after ones, cherish these pieces of Motorcycle history.
@Warren552011 NO WAY.... NO WAY?? I'm the only fellow around who liked the original madmax for the bikes and the toecutter. Thank you so very much for the movie tip. :D
@Warren552011,, Stone is a fabulous movie. The race between the Norton Commando and Kawasaki Z1 is epic.
The brawl in front of the pub is great also. The pub, the Forth & Clyde in Balmain, was a known biker hangout at the time. It's still there but no longer a pub.
@Warren552011,, the Ducati was in the opening shot of the pub. It stuck out like dog's balls. Looks like the Ducati has the handlebars turned down to lower them and look like clipons. th-cam.com/video/bdD5ScrYE-s/w-d-xo.html
My friend had one brand new back in the day. The fastest bike at the time. The didn't need all that plastic crap. You can see how beautiful the bike is .Thanks for the ride nice video.
I also like the naked look of bikes in the 70's and spent lots of time on them riding all year round back and forth across Europe. The top speeds were taken laying flat on the tank and riding at high speed was an endurance feat. You also developed neck muscles that would rival the Hulk. The "plastic crap" you talk about allows me to travel at any speed I wish without shattering me. I dont need to lay on the tank to achieve that high speed. These classics are great and I would love to have a Z1 in the stable however, they are not in the same league as todays bikes.
I got a 74 z1A from canada and i live in perth western Australia , they look awesome and have that 70s sound and they go like a rocket , ive had 6 of em from z1A to z1R , who cares if they flex , i love em
@john thonig I bought a 1974 Z1 Orange/ Brown color shown at end of video paid $2495. The dealer only had one and the color and price were non negotiable.. I bought it ! Incredible machine. I have to tell you it scared me back in those days... !
That was the first of the bikes that became known as a widow maker.! I owned a 73. Got lucky and survived What a ton of fun!!! 130 mph was as fast as I could get her to go.She loved to cruise at 80 mph! Fun fun fun!!! Got chased by police driving a Suburban for over 40 miles and I never even knew it!!! I stopped for a road side burger. Cop shows up! His truck was maxed at 70mph!! Got a 50 dollar ticket! Never did pay that one. Awesome bike!!
Actually it was the '72 Kawasaki H2 750 that was given that moniker by a magazine tester. I owned a '72 H2...if you want to read my story about my encounter with a badass Z1 it is below.
The real and first Widow Maker was my first bike in 1972 Kawasaki 750cc H2 Two strokes was infernal fast bike in that time not any bike can pass her. my maxim speed 220 kph going to the beach in a four hours trip, I traveled all my country in her include the Los Andes Venezuela Colombia High Mountain If you get and accident here nobody can rescue you very deep precipices. well here Im with my beautiful memories, still some time I dream wit her Love for ever.
Had Kwaka H2 at the time. After a while my buddy bought a Z1. Impressive, beautiful and big. I swopped bikes for a bit. Boy that Z1 felt big. More like a two wheeled truck. So different to the H2 yet similar performance.
I had a '75' Z1B back in the day. Yoshimura chrome exhaust, jetting, a 7 way steering damper and a 630 O-ring chain with slightly lower final drive gearing. It looked great, sounded amazing, turned alot of heads and never left me stranded. Still have a 1980 Z1 Classic. Good bikes.
That's a beautiful Z1...gorgeous. I have a great Z1 story that I remember like it was yesterday...I grew up in central Florida on mini bikes, then mini cycles, then dirt bikes and was racing motocross by the time I was 15 and also raced some flat track, enduros and competed in several trials competitions. By 17 I had earned an AMA Experts License in 125cc motocross and was racing all over Fl. (I beat 7 time world champion Jeff Ward the only time I raced him in 100cc motocross at the Orlando Sports Stadium Motocross Track) but as a Sr. in H.S. in '74 I hung up my racing boots (My Dad was an Engineer at The Cape, along with being my main wrench, and after I scored very well on my SAT's I knew I was headed to Engineering College after H.S.) and as I was working full time, I bought a '72 Kawasaki H2-750...it was very low mileage and almost like new and I had the dealer put expansion chambers and shorter handle bars on it when I took delivery. It was my very first street bike and the dealer didn't let me test drive it so when I picked it up was the first time I rode it. I had about a 50 mile drive home from the dealer. As I pulled away from the dealer I twisted the throttle hard in first gear and it wheelied so quickly it caught me off guard and my left hand almost came off the handgrip (I managed to recover but was thinking Wow that would have been embarrassing to wreck your new bike right in front of the dealer...the H2 then had my full attention). I was trying to figure out what the hell kind of beast I had between my legs, but in just a matter of a few stop lights I had discovered I could just roll out in first gear and gas it and it would spin the rear tire, the bike would go sideways and it would leave rubber...right then it struck me it was just like my YZ-125 on dirt except it was on pavement...from then on I became one with the H2 pretty quickly and was pulling long multi gear power wheelies by the time I got to my town. Anyway I was all over the town showing her off to all my buddies and to my girlfriend and as I was talking to my girlfriend a buddy pulls up and says Hey do you know Mike, the guy with the Z1? I did not know him but I knew of guy who had a Z1 that lived down the road so I said yeah I know who you are talking about. My buddy says, Well he has already heard about you and he wants to race and tonite. Now I did not know the guy but I had seem him drive by a few times and his Z1 had headers and a few other items and it looked and sounded badass and from what I saw the guy was a competent rider, so I am thinking I just got this bike about 6 hours ago and this guy knows his Z1 inside and out maybe I should pass for a couple weeks, but I was feeling cocky and with my GF there I said sure how about 9 pm Beach Road. So I pull up at 9pm with my GF on the back and there is a pretty good crowd there and Mr. Z1 was doing burnouts and the Z1 is sounding ferocious and it is obvious the owner knows what he is doing too, so now I am thinking Uh Oh, you may be in trouble here Steve, you haven't even done one full stop racing launch yet. So as I roll up to the line it strikes me to just do my motocross launch; stand up weight off the seat, lean forward, feet back, pin the throttle and drop the hammer. So I did just that and it was exactly like motocross, the H2's front tire was clawing at the sky, the rear tire was getting sideways and you just had to ride the hell out of it. It was a perfect launch and I never saw the Z1. After the race Mr. Z1 was beside himself...he kept saying there is no way you should beat me, there must be something wrong with my engine (His engine sounded perfect when he was doing his burnouts)...I finally said, Okay well your bike sounded good to me but if you get her fixed let me know and we can do it again. I never heard from him and as a matter of fact never saw him anywhere in our modest sized town...so I think he either parked it or sold it. As to how I beat him? The H2 was badass and I was an Expert driver who was great at launches and it certainly didn't hurt that I weighed about 135 lbs soaking wet at that time....I later took my H2 to the the drag strip and recording a best time of 11.45, which I believe was on par with the best 1/4 times of the day by the pro drivers the magazines used for testing the '72 H2. I later had 34mm mikunis, individual air cleaners and a port job by the guy who did my motocross port work done on my H2...then it was really fun...power wheelies in 3rd gear at 100 mph....it was a really fun scooter. As an aside, I thought she handled pretty well too...it would wobble thru the corners at high speed but if you just rode it I could keep up or pass RD-350's with good riders in the twisties….and at the end of every corner is a straightaway.
A stock H2 running 11.45? I was very involved with street bike racing in that era. As for beating the Z1, I agree a real good rider could do it. BUT.....11.45? that would be the quickest H2 ever built. Put it this way: A good friend of mine named Dennis was a Helluva dirt rider. Had built his own motocross track on property in Northern Michigan. He bought a '72 H2, the "Blue Meanie!" After port work and a lot of other small mods, the best he ever turned was an 11.74-And Dennis was one Helluva rider!!!
@@milojanis4901 When I ran the 11.45 it had expansion chambers, had been rejetted with conical air filters and had a one tooth smaller front sprocket but the engine was otherwise stock. As I said I weighed 135 lbs and was NEVER beaten to the first turn in any motocross race I road in (Including beating 7 time world champion Jeff Ward the only time I faced him), so there is no doubt I had world class elite starting ability and talent and had lots of seat time on the H2 when I ran it at the drags and it was in the winter (I remember it being cold for central Fl, so that undoubtedly didn't hurt the cause), so I would not be surprised if it was possibly one of the fastest times ever posted for a "stock" '72 H2. As I recall 11:75 was a typical magazine time for the '72 H2 back in the day so no offense to your buddy but that really is Not an impressive time for a modded bike. Of course having said that, port work and other mods can result in a variety of torque and HP curves changes, some of which would not be appropriate for 1/4 runs and more generally speaking you need to know what the hell you are doing or you can screw the pooch.
@john thonig Yeah the '72 H2 was a pretty angry machine...in the right hands it definitely meant business. I had the H2 for about 18 months and was never beaten by car or scooter....the time I recorded my 11:45 at the drags I even beat a dedicated long chassis drag bike for the trophy...I think the rider was in over his head and the owners came over after the race and were himming and hawing asking about my background, trying to find out if I would be interested in riding their drag bike and I politely declined.
@john thonig My '72 H2 was known as a Mach IV and it's been a long time but I thought one side of the body cover said 750 and the other side said Mach IV, the 500 was known as the Mach III
And we loved it because they all flexed. The forks would also. We just treated it as normal. Great fun! I had two GT750's and a Honda CBX 1000 during those days
Damn, I remember getting a speeding ticket on a kz900 from an Anaheim cop parked in a hotel back in 73 when he saw the headlight go up 3 times and i saw him and pulled right over. he gave me a ticket for doing 50 in a 40 and he told me after he wrote up the ticket, come on, how fast were you really doing, when i passed you and shut down, i was doing 120mph! TRUE STORY and last year, I took my son's concours out on 86 and passed a ISP going 140 and it took almost 5 mins in his charger for that ISP to catch up with me, i slowed down to 120 and he told me he could arrest me and i told him back in the 70's, i would have rode a wheelie past you on a KH750 widow maker! He laughed AND let me go and told me, Old Man, keep it under 80mph and have a nice day! Another True Story WINNING!
When I was 21 years old I had a motorcycle of these and enjoyed it for 6 years and I have good memories now I am 67 years old and now I have a Yamaha facer 600 less displacement and more hp. congratulations on the video Angel from Spain
When Venezuela was a rich country in the 70s in the city of Caracas was one of the best-selling bikes at that time I had a Honda 750cc motorcycle and sold it to buy the Kawasaki 900cc was a very fast motorcycle for its time I put an exhaust pipe 4 en1 was very beautiful the sound the problem of this motorcycle Kawasaki was his engine was very delicate for five years gave me many problems with the engine after I sold it and I bought a Ducati 900cc ss that also had engine problems In those days the engines of these bikes were not like those of today. At this moment I live in Spain and I have a Yamaha Facer fz6 that has 98 hp and weighs very little now I am 66 years old and I still enjoy motorcycles after many years. Greetings to all
What a blast ! . . on the cusp of my 67th bday ! That is the exact '74 KZ900 I bought at 20 yr old ! ! Fastest thing available on 2 wheels! WooHoo ! Damn, kinda miss that machine. Thanx for the memories-burnouts&twist the wick! !
I bought a KZ900 n 1977 and owned it until 1979 .I put Lester Mags which rear hub was for stock brake shoes.They were brushed metal on outside part of wheel.Then of coarse the centers were painted black.(1st class work) Then Kerker Black complete exaust, jetted up Mikuni 28mm and last K and N Air... Put LTD seat shorty black handle bars gummy grips.Last 2 items Oil Cooler and Huge Pirelli rubber on 16 in Lester Wheel. Had the bike painted the 79 Chevy Blue Emron. I really loved this bike which really turned heads at every red lite n Baton Rouge. RIP my KZ Beast.
Over many yrs street riding I had 2 900’s, 1 kz1000,5 H1’s & 1 h2 triple 3 strokes and loved them all! Been riding street bikes since 1972 and still to this day own a 75 H1 500 triple for me to blast around on by myself when the mood strikes me. Also have a 2012 Yamaha roadstar large 1700cc sir cooled v-twin cruiser wife & I cruise around on with me being 65yrs young & not afraid to flog my triple once in a while to show the youngsters old guys & machines can still get outta there own way too including a moderate 1st or 2nd gear front wheelie once in a while too!/LOL! Also do the same thing to kids with fart can muffler Honda civics when I blow them off the road with the .#’s matching 69 chevelle ss396 (now .030” over to 402) 4spd I have owned since 1978 , but I admit that’s not fair being like a big bully (old school big blog Chevy) beating up on a little kid with a 4cyl civic thought it’s still fun to do anyway!/lol!
@@66hobgoblin81 Yeah a Katana will blow a K1 off and my R1 will blow a Katana off ......... but a couple of years back I got to ride one of the K1's later developments - still an inline 4 aircooled beast. And it was gorgeous. It wasn't as fast at acceleration, or top speed, or as planted as my R1 - BUT it was an absolute blast and I would be proud and pleased to own one. Or, humm, maybe an early H1 500 triple. Or ..........
First saw a Z1 at a Cafe in France one summers evening. Big crowd of riders on an assortment of bikes including many Honda 750's, which until then was the bike to have. Then a bike came down the road and an area cleared so he could park. Immediately a huge group of people crowded around the guy and his bike. I was awestruck, the bike was beautiful and it had those magic numbers on the side"900", a monster. Because I was not French, and everyone else was, he took pity on me as I tried to get close to his machine and allowed me to sit on it. A teenager, French girls and a Z1! One of the great memories of my life and it made me a lifelong Kawasaki fan. Now on my 9th and all because of one summers night and a Z1.
![ILLSLICK - KILLSHOT REMIX [FULL VERSION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RIK8RrqIAzE/mqdefault.jpg)
Even being 46 years old, this doesn't look old fashioned. It just looks like perfection.
One of the most beautiful motorcycles ever built.
Still after all these years one of the best looking bikes around.
Amen!! Brother!! Love those classic Japanese bikes!
THOSE FOUR SILENCERS WERE JUST AMAZING, THEY MAKE THE BIKE OUT OF THE ORDINARY. BEAUTIFUL MACHINE 🤩
Whoever did that restoration is a MASTER of the arts.
Great video... nothing like the sound of that bike!
My Dad still has his '73 Rootbeer / Orange with 1,700 miles.
I enjoy riding my VMax but I can honestly say that I’ve never lost my love of the old school air cooled Kawasaki inline 4’s.🏍
Owned a Z1 in 1986. I bought it from a 20 year old still living with his parents in Carmel, California. He crashed it the first time he rode it, breaking the alternator cover and dumping all the oil out. I paid $200. I paid $25 for an alternator cover at a San Jose motorcycle junk yard. Ran great. It was powerful but not as unruly as my previous Kaw 500 two stroke. It would do burn outs with that skinny rear tire but never felt unmanageable.
Owned a cherry ‘72 H2 750 in 1986. King of the road until a friend pulled away from me with his 1986 Honda 750 Nighthawk. Bought it in ‘74 had a lot of fun with it. Nobody wanted to race me in the 70s. I did race a 351 cobra jet, what an awesome sounding engine, that and my 3 cylinder 2 stroke made some pretty music. (Of course I blew his doors off.) Unfortunately I sold it a year later, so now it sits in Jay Lenos garage instead of mine. Dummy me I guess.
Glad ya kept that short😎
I used to love smoking up that back tyre when pulling away.😊
One of my favorite bikes of all time was a 1975 Z1B . What a great machine!
Own a new 1974 Z1 900 back in day. Best motorcycle I ever had. 53 miles to the gallon at 70mph and would cruise all day long. Had a car hit me in Dec of 1977 and spent 13 months in the hospital. No more motorcycle. Damn what a sweet ride it was.
My stock 1975 Z1 regularly got 33MPG . Plugs looked perfect. Just saying.
@@rayray7405 My stock ‘72 750 H2 got 15 mpg the way I drove it.
Still have my 78 LTD 1000, bought it in June of 78 ,never gets old riding it.have had many offers for it ,have no desire to let it go,had it since I was a kid
I've been riding a KZ650 as a daily driver for 23 seasons.....can't replicate the feel of the old Kawasaki. *shrug* It's still a satisfying rush giving it a twist. :) I hear you.
1970s motorcycles were beautiful. I miss that time 😎
videonikkari see the new kawa z 900 rs, or the yamaha xsr 900 😀
Kawasaki z 900 rs model is a fine traditional motorcycle 👍 This Honda is also a great traditional model www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/range/street/cb1100-rs/overview.html
Yeah I was a spotty teenager back then and used to drool at all those beautiful bikes from the land of the rising Sun.
Out of all those bikes, the only one I ever got to ride was the Suzuki GT750 watercooled triple.(Water Buffallo) or
as we called it the (Kettle) But my favourite bike was the Z1 Kawasaki 900.
I miss that era too. Today's bikes may be fast but they all look the same, and have no character.
Shame because it will probably be in the Junk Yard by now. My Brother had one and owned it from 1986
till the mid 90's and sold it for only £600. Whats that in Oz Dollars? But the bastard who bought it off him
revved it mercilessly and broke the engine in only a short period of time. I wish I had the cash at the time,
and I would have bought it off him, just to save it from this Moronic Riders of today, who thrash heir bikes
mercilessly up and down the Motorway where I live. These bikes bring serious money these days. When
I was a Youth back in the 70's. I lusted after a GT750 or a Kawasaki 900 Z1 But could not afford to buy
either of them. You are lucky to have owned two of those "Kettles" or GT750's as we knew them, or the
"Water Buffallo" in the States. If you still have the other one. Look after it, these are fast appreciating
"Classics" now.
Bravo. I came here after watching and hearin a CBX 1000. I own a 75’ Z1b and was wanting compare sound. What do know somebody that actual give the Z Somme beans. Not only that a nice long burn out. Bravo.
Simply stunning...this one and the CB 750 Four were the beginning of the end for many british and italian makers.
The legend of super bike' z900 the best motcycles ever built 👍
That Sir, is absolutely beautiful. Credit to you. Takes me back to my youth.
Thanks!
WOW....so beautiful and powerful 👍👍👍❤
THE best of the best! Great style, security. THE best Nike ever. Power,looks. I love it!!!
Bad ass, my dad had a new one in 1975. Riding it as a 16 year old kid was the most excitement I ever had on a motorcycle. Pure Power and fun.
I got a 77 Kz1000 right before my 16th birthday.. don’t know what my dad was thinking but I still miss that bike!
He clearly had an insurance policy on your ass. 😅
What a Machine and they Raised the Bar for all motorcycles in the mid 70's
Kawasaki broke so many records back then, that's why it became a LEGEND!
i use to own one back in the late 70s,perfect machine,then and still TOP OF THE BILL
Wow . That is stunning had 3 70's Z's , 2 1000's and a z650c2. There is some thing special about these Kawasakis👍🏍🏍🏍
I had a 74 Z1-900B -Kerker exhaust and vance and Hines valves set up . Super fun bike !
Matthew Chamberlain
1974 was the Z1-a
Never looked that good new all aluminum high polished beautiful bike
Ah, such sweet memories of my youth. I had a Z1C, in the brown and orange with the long rear wheel mud guard. I loved that bike, warts and all. I wished I had never sold it.
Yes 650,900 und 1000er. Ich habe sie geliebt 💋💋💋
Best bike ever! I still have a ‘76, a ‘74, and ‘a 73. Bought in that order, and the ‘73 being my favorite!
you deserve more likes for owing a zoo of them... :D
i have a early production 72 frame number z1f-00999 plus 2 74's 81 numbers apart 2 75 racebikes and a couple of more 74's that are hotrodded to death and get ridden alot plus a herd of kz's as well
Had the Z1B in 1975 best motor cycle for that size handled awesome never any trouble only had to keep up checking Cam chain adjustment
I'm only little and weight 50 Kilo's, just saying
Nice, these old classics really polish up good.
Looks like brand sparkling new! Congratulations!
I bought a burgundy Z1 new in 1974. Best bike I ever had.
Me too, ($A1,845 new) although it was great it wasn't the best bike I ever had. That award went jointly to my old Hayabusa & my present BMW K1300R.
Carlton Overbay My '74 Z1 was stolen in 1978 so I bought a new KZ1000 in 1978
Brings back a lot of good memories. Thanks I needed that. I miss that bike.
Whoever restored that blue Z1B at the beginning of this video is a genius. (Perfectionist) It's the best I've ever seen. I've owned my own A4 now for 40 years but it's nothing compared to this. Although mine is actually used on the road. It's difficult trying to keep them pristine especially in the UK !!!
Yeah well if the weather doesn't rot them, the morons with a heavy throttle hand will here in the UK.
Not with all that wet, and rusty road shit. And please don't leave it outside, put in a garage if you have one.
Hey, they don't need to be perfect. Still a Z9 and that's everything!
Thank you for taking care of Japan‘ｓ bike carefully
They need to go back to this style. I a ZR1 1000 And a LTD 1000 wish I still had them
If Kawa made this exact bike today, it'd sell like mad. Just a beauty. Kawa is reproducing this paint scheme on the 2022 K900RS and it's outstanding.
Don't think so. Guys my age (yours too?) who always wanted one but were too young or too broke. After that, people would insist on modern braking, handling, and fuel injection.
That 900 was a beast. I used it in an SCCA Race Car. Awesome performance
It’s like the girl from highschool that I never got. Can’t get her out of my head. She set the standards for all future girls (and bikes).
Thanks for sharing.
I'd pay a premium price if Japan would bring them back. They were so comfortable to ride for mile after mile and they looked so good.
Amen to that.
I’ll sign up for one as well. If they refuse to remake the Z900, I can settle for a Z1300. I miss that calm and stable six-shooter as well.
Hahahah yep...Those girls still come to mind ....The ones with perfect hair and meticulously pressed tight jeans...How are they coming with that time machine concept I wonder 🤔
Looks just as beautiful now as it did the first time I saw one in the dealer's showroom back in the 70s. An all time classic beauty. It caused one hell of a stir when it came out.
The mighty Z1 was my fave bike of all time, and still is.
And for us peasants herein the UK, alot of money.
Z 1 is one of the best motorcycles ever build , cheers :)
I rode the Z1 a lot even though it wasn't mine, then I became a police officer five years later and eventually made it onto the motor squad. At the time I was riding a Police Harley. A real pig, but fun to cruise on and it had a nice exhaust note. But in 1977 the city went with the new Kawasaki Police 1000 and OMG, the motor guys thought we died and went to heaven. Now that was an enforcement bike and made the Harley feel like a bucket of bolts. So much faster and better handling, there was nothing better at the time. The motor must have been a relative of the KZ900 and the 1000 powerplant hung around for years after, it was that reliable. In all fairness to the Harley, they have improved since that era, but let's face it, they had what, about a 50 or 60-year head start on Kawasaki, Honda, etc. I believe Harley's improvement curve was like a snail, whereas the other manufacturers came out of the blocks firing on all pistons. If I didn't have to chase people at high speed, the Harley was OK, but the Police 1000 Kawasaki was so much faster and safer, no comparison. Today's Harleys are a different breed of cat and ten years ago I broke down and bought a used tribute to police Harley Road King. I've been a sportbike rider since I was a teenager and never thought I would own a Harley, but the uniform dark blue color of the bike caught my eye so I bought it. I had fun upgrading it, but after three chain case gaskets blew, one when I was in the middle of Death Valley, Ca. on a road trip, I was done with the brand. I wanted to do more touring so a buddy on the DV ride, also a Harley owner decided to buy a Honda Goldwing and I followed suit. Never looked back and I still own a Ducati Superbike 999R for those times when I get a wild hair to rail in the foothills.
Just think, the Z1 was a rocket back in the early 70s, producing 82HP. Today, top sportbikes, superbikes that is are commonly rated at 200HP and higher, they are also lighter as well. Back when I rode the ZI 900 Kawasaki, I thought it was the fastest thing on two wheels, scary fast at times. Now it would probably feel like a slug, well, not quite.
This was THE big bike aspired to by many during the days of my motorcycling novitiate. It took over the reign from the legendary Honda 750, by then evolved to the K4. I rode one, but though cheaper than Italian, I never bought a Z1 despite their impressive motor and power. Japanese street frame design and suspension then weren't conducive to high speed handling, particularly high speed cornering like they are today, and the Z1's handling was no a match for its stunning engine performance. I bought a Ducati 860GTS instead, which I ultimately came to regret when when the big end failed and motor disintegrated at just 27,000km on the odo, and then a 750SS Desmo. After I blew that up too along with splitting the barrel and cylinder on my 450 Desmo, twice, all operated within Desmo RPM spec limitations and filled with the correct grade of Penzoil mineral oil, it became clear Italian metallurgy of the day was as bad as Japanese frame design of the day. Went back to Jap bikes and never broke another motor.
You and some of my friends mate. In those days you had a choice. Brit machinery, leaking oil like crazy and broke down often but alway repairable, Italian mostly terminal, Japanese, bucking bronco around the bends. I went the bronco route and loved every moment.
An 18yo friend of mine's parents bought him one... shouldn't have to say more , but , 17 days later , station wagon going about 70 meets Z1 going about 90. My parents immediately put a halt on my plans for an RD350! In hindsight I probably would have ended up like Benny! There were\are very few young ( 18-25yrs ) people with the proper amount of maturity and experience to be turned loose with high performance equipment like these. There was a time when most younger riders couldn't get insurance for anything over 750cc at any price. Thanks for the review , brought back a lot of memories!
I've been restoring a 1982 GPZ 1100. Factory digital fuel injection.
I'm an upright rider, I like power, triple discs and mags.
you are on the wrong video. This is the kawi 900
Absolutely gorgeous! Just like brand new!
Stunning, can you imagine the reaction to these way back then ....
I remember clearly. I have posted earlier in the thread. It changed my life, really, It made me fall in love with motorbikes and that passion is as strong today as it was as a young teenager dreaming of having my own Z1
1978 as a teenage kid I lived on a rough council estate, one of our neighbours had one of these in his garage.
It was brilliant white with a matching half faring on the front and the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
Every time he cruised past we would all stop what ever we were doing a watch it go past. We thought he was the coolest guy on the estate.
That is absolutely beautiful man!!! LEGEND!!!
Gorgeous bike
Amazing! If that we’re my bike I’d have it in the living room as an ornament.
I certainly would not be revving the nuts off it like this guy did.
jason backes lol my US Navy boyfriend who was stationed in West Wales UK in 1975 had a Kawasaki 900 exactly like this he worked on it in the kitchen of his rented farmhouse lol beaut machine.
Then he was one "Lucky Guy" these bikes were for people like me, the bike of our "Dreams" and he owned one! I see them one You-tube now being abused and completely neglected and for me, an ageing ex-biker, it really pisses me off to see these once "Legendary" bikes being treated in this way. These are now "Classics" and in good original condition, sell for mega money.
Porn for men !
@MDS It looks to me that he keeps this bike in first class condition. The Z1 was the performance bike of that period. It deserves to be ridden hard occasionally. What is the point otherwise. It is like classic race cars, many of them race. It is what they are made for. Nothing sadder than seeing a performance machine in a museum or being ridden at a snails pace.
Great machine! Strong and reliable motor! Piece of Motorcycle History! First real Superbyke! Z1 forever! First one able to beat the original H2! Greetings from Brazil!
I had a 74 Brown with Gold. We put a 1013 kit in it and raised the compression by two points. Web cams and I already had the big Mikunis. I go up two teeth on the rear sprocket and put a Yoshimiro pipe on it. I weighed 140 pounds. Nobody could catch me. I ran a 10.33. I almost killed myself on it. I sold my H! to get it. I would still like the H1 back. It had Bridgeport jugs and Wirgess pipes. I sold it to a friend and it broke a record in California for 500 cc stock and ran 11.9. Crazy little bike. Hit 6500 and hold on for your life. It was clocked on the LIE at 129 mph. My friend was riding it. He didn't get away. He got arrested.
did going up 2 teeth on the rear slightly reduce top speed and increase acceleration or did you mean the front sprocket?
Certainly a beautiful bike. My next-door neighbor had both the Honda 750 and the Z1 Kawasaki. He was nice enough to let me ride either one any time I wanted and he even willed them to me if he did not survive a colon cancer operation. Fortunately, he did survive and told me he willed them to me because I talked him into getting the operation, I couldn't believe he was considering not to. When the spec said top speed was 135 mph, I can attest I reached that speed at the bottom of hgwy 17 going into Los Gatos from Santa Cruz, Ca. I laid down on the tank because of wind blast and then shut down after the speedo showed 135mph. It was a great bike and strange how it seemed so much faster than the reported 82hp compared to modern bikes that is.
I think that the Kawasaki 900 Z1 was the best bike ever to come out of Japan. It has a classic look to it that never seems toage. It was a dream of mine to own one back in the day, but they were very expensive. These bikes sell for mega money these days, so to those of you out there with well looked after ones, cherish these pieces of Motorcycle history.
Sam bailey
We do, thank you
They sold for a couple thousand dollars when they first came out...
@@retiredguyadventures6211 Paid $1895 for my 1974 and got to uncrate it myself
Insane !!! it is like brand new ...
These bikes still look and sound great in the first Mad Max movie.
Night Ryder
@Warren552011 NO WAY.... NO WAY?? I'm the only fellow around who liked the original madmax for the bikes and the toecutter. Thank you so very much for the movie tip. :D
@Warren552011,, Stone is a fabulous movie. The race between the Norton Commando and Kawasaki Z1 is epic.
The brawl in front of the pub is great also. The pub, the Forth & Clyde in Balmain, was a known biker hangout at the time. It's still there but no longer a pub.
@Warren552011,, the Ducati was in the opening shot of the pub. It stuck out like dog's balls. Looks like the Ducati has the handlebars turned down to lower them and look like clipons.
th-cam.com/video/bdD5ScrYE-s/w-d-xo.html
Nothing sounds better to me than inline 4 with a header, the old bikes on mad max rocked, I ride a 2001 zrx1200, Kawasaki is king!
This is the most beautiful bike of all. Better looking than any other motor cycle ever made imo.
This has always been my all time favourite motorcycle.
70s/80s best time ever for Japanese bikes from the fs1e to the z1300 and all in between ✌🏻
My friend had one brand new back in the day. The fastest bike at the time. The didn't need all that plastic crap. You can see how beautiful the bike is .Thanks for the ride nice video.
I also like the naked look of bikes in the 70's and spent lots of time on them riding all year round back and forth across Europe. The top speeds were taken laying flat on the tank and riding at high speed was an endurance feat. You also developed neck muscles that would rival the Hulk. The "plastic crap" you talk about allows me to travel at any speed I wish without shattering me. I dont need to lay on the tank to achieve that high speed. These classics are great and I would love to have a Z1 in the stable however, they are not in the same league as todays bikes.
Kawasaki Z1 and the Honda CB 750 four were the best and most beautiful bikes built. Everything was perfect...well almost everything.
Man!! That is lovely. Had 2 of them.
THis gave me goose bumps..... thanks for the share!!!
I got a 74 z1A from canada and i live in perth western Australia , they look awesome and have that 70s sound and they go like a rocket , ive had 6 of em from z1A to z1R , who cares if they flex , i love em
That's the look I grew up with so to me, that's what a bike should look like. All of these new transformers-bikes just don't do it for me.
Sir Tristan says you sweetheart.
@Sir Tristan "passed" stupid
That is a fine piece of machinery
Lord have mercy on my pitiful soul ...how beautiful is that ..?
Oh she’s a beauty!!
Nice video. I owned two of them. A 1974 Z-1 and a 1980 KZ-1000 LTD. I still know when one is going down the street. Totally unique sound...
What was unique about them to produce a totally unique sound?
yea nice i hav a 2008 z1ooo took the baffles out sounds like a f1 racer goes like 1 to frm nz reliable and go hard
@john thonig I bought a 1974 Z1 Orange/ Brown color shown at end of video paid $2495. The dealer only had one and the color and price were non negotiable.. I bought it ! Incredible machine.
I have to tell you it scared me back in those days... !
these bikes are truly truly amazing...
That was the first of the bikes that became known as a widow maker.! I owned a 73. Got lucky and survived What a ton of fun!!! 130 mph was as fast as I could get her to go.She loved to cruise at 80 mph! Fun fun fun!!! Got chased by police driving a Suburban for over 40 miles and I never even knew it!!! I stopped for a road side burger. Cop shows up! His truck was maxed at 70mph!! Got a 50 dollar ticket! Never did pay that one. Awesome bike!!
My 1982 Kawasaki Kz750e could do 130mph, so I would think that 900 could do a little better.
ukfan4sure1 You are correct it was the kawasaki 750 h1 and h2 triple 2 strokes
Actually it was the '72 Kawasaki H2 750 that was given that moniker by a magazine tester. I owned a '72 H2...if you want to read my story about my encounter with a badass Z1 it is below.
They called up a chopper on me...but I got away. Hid in neighbor's garage ...door was open...lol
The real and first Widow Maker was my first bike in 1972 Kawasaki 750cc H2 Two strokes was infernal fast bike in that time not any bike can pass her. my maxim speed 220 kph going to the beach in a four hours trip, I traveled all my country in her include the Los Andes Venezuela Colombia High Mountain If you get and accident here nobody can rescue you very deep precipices. well here Im with my beautiful memories, still some time I dream wit her Love for ever.
Best looking Japaneese bike ever uilt imo, had a 1976 KZ900, loved it
Had Kwaka H2 at the time. After a while my buddy bought a Z1. Impressive, beautiful and big. I swopped bikes for a bit. Boy that Z1 felt big. More like a two wheeled truck. So different to the H2 yet similar performance.
This bike, and the Honda Goldwing, are two of the best motorcycles ever produced IMHO! I've owned both and they were great!
In 1975 my friend had the 1973 Rootbeer Z1 900 and I had the 1972 Blue H2 750 2 stroke - crazy memories !
I had a '75' Z1B back in the day. Yoshimura chrome exhaust, jetting, a 7 way steering damper and a 630 O-ring chain with slightly lower final drive gearing. It looked great, sounded amazing, turned alot of heads and never left me stranded. Still have a 1980 Z1 Classic. Good bikes.
it was a love at first sight. Enjoyed every second of the video. Thanks for posting
Best bike I ever owned. Lots of great memories.
I bought one of these after selling my 750 H2 widow maker. Loved the Z1 and it just happened to be the same brown color as the one in this video.
That's a beautiful Z1...gorgeous. I have a great Z1 story that I remember like it was yesterday...I grew up in central Florida on mini bikes, then mini cycles, then dirt bikes and was racing motocross by the time I was 15 and also raced some flat track, enduros and competed in several trials competitions. By 17 I had earned an AMA Experts License in 125cc motocross and was racing all over Fl. (I beat 7 time world champion Jeff Ward the only time I raced him in 100cc motocross at the Orlando Sports Stadium Motocross Track) but as a Sr. in H.S. in '74 I hung up my racing boots (My Dad was an Engineer at The Cape, along with being my main wrench, and after I scored very well on my SAT's I knew I was headed to Engineering College after H.S.) and as I was working full time, I bought a '72 Kawasaki H2-750...it was very low mileage and almost like new and I had the dealer put expansion chambers and shorter handle bars on it when I took delivery. It was my very first street bike and the dealer didn't let me test drive it so when I picked it up was the first time I rode it. I had about a 50 mile drive home from the dealer. As I pulled away from the dealer I twisted the throttle hard in first gear and it wheelied so quickly it caught me off guard and my left hand almost came off the handgrip (I managed to recover but was thinking Wow that would have been embarrassing to wreck your new bike right in front of the dealer...the H2 then had my full attention). I was trying to figure out what the hell kind of beast I had between my legs, but in just a matter of a few stop lights I had discovered I could just roll out in first gear and gas it and it would spin the rear tire, the bike would go sideways and it would leave rubber...right then it struck me it was just like my YZ-125 on dirt except it was on pavement...from then on I became one with the H2 pretty quickly and was pulling long multi gear power wheelies by the time I got to my town. Anyway I was all over the town showing her off to all my buddies and to my girlfriend and as I was talking to my girlfriend a buddy pulls up and says Hey do you know Mike, the guy with the Z1? I did not know him but I knew of guy who had a Z1 that lived down the road so I said yeah I know who you are talking about. My buddy says, Well he has already heard about you and he wants to race and tonite. Now I did not know the guy but I had seem him drive by a few times and his Z1 had headers and a few other items and it looked and sounded badass and from what I saw the guy was a competent rider, so I am thinking I just got this bike about 6 hours ago and this guy knows his Z1 inside and out maybe I should pass for a couple weeks, but I was feeling cocky and with my GF there I said sure how about 9 pm Beach Road. So I pull up at 9pm with my GF on the back and there is a pretty good crowd there and Mr. Z1 was doing burnouts and the Z1 is sounding ferocious and it is obvious the owner knows what he is doing too, so now I am thinking Uh Oh, you may be in trouble here Steve, you haven't even done one full stop racing launch yet. So as I roll up to the line it strikes me to just do my motocross launch; stand up weight off the seat, lean forward, feet back, pin the throttle and drop the hammer. So I did just that and it was exactly like motocross, the H2's front tire was clawing at the sky, the rear tire was getting sideways and you just had to ride the hell out of it. It was a perfect launch and I never saw the Z1. After the race Mr. Z1 was beside himself...he kept saying there is no way you should beat me, there must be something wrong with my engine (His engine sounded perfect when he was doing his burnouts)...I finally said, Okay well your bike sounded good to me but if you get her fixed let me know and we can do it again. I never heard from him and as a matter of fact never saw him anywhere in our modest sized town...so I think he either parked it or sold it. As to how I beat him? The H2 was badass and I was an Expert driver who was great at launches and it certainly didn't hurt that I weighed about 135 lbs soaking wet at that time....I later took my H2 to the the drag strip and recording a best time of 11.45, which I believe was on par with the best 1/4 times of the day by the pro drivers the magazines used for testing the '72 H2. I later had 34mm mikunis, individual air cleaners and a port job by the guy who did my motocross port work done on my H2...then it was really fun...power wheelies in 3rd gear at 100 mph....it was a really fun scooter. As an aside, I thought she handled pretty well too...it would wobble thru the corners at high speed but if you just rode it I could keep up or pass RD-350's with good riders in the twisties….and at the end of every corner is a straightaway.
A stock H2 running 11.45? I was very involved with street bike racing in that era. As for beating the Z1, I agree a real good rider could do it. BUT.....11.45? that would be the quickest H2 ever built. Put it this way: A good friend of mine named Dennis was a Helluva dirt rider. Had built his own motocross track on property in Northern Michigan. He bought a '72 H2, the "Blue Meanie!" After port work and a lot of other small mods, the best he ever turned was an 11.74-And Dennis was one Helluva rider!!!
@@milojanis4901 When I ran the 11.45 it had expansion chambers, had been rejetted with conical air filters and had a one tooth smaller front sprocket but the engine was otherwise stock. As I said I weighed 135 lbs and was NEVER beaten to the first turn in any motocross race I road in (Including beating 7 time world champion Jeff Ward the only time I faced him), so there is no doubt I had world class elite starting ability and talent and had lots of seat time on the H2 when I ran it at the drags and it was in the winter (I remember it being cold for central Fl, so that undoubtedly didn't hurt the cause), so I would not be surprised if it was possibly one of the fastest times ever posted for a "stock" '72 H2. As I recall 11:75 was a typical magazine time for the '72 H2 back in the day so no offense to your buddy but that really is Not an impressive time for a modded bike. Of course having said that, port work and other mods can result in a variety of torque and HP curves changes, some of which would not be appropriate for 1/4 runs and more generally speaking you need to know what the hell you are doing or you can screw the pooch.
@john thonig Yeah the '72 H2 was a pretty angry machine...in the right hands it definitely meant business. I had the H2 for about 18 months and was never beaten by car or scooter....the time I recorded my 11:45 at the drags I even beat a dedicated long chassis drag bike for the trophy...I think the rider was in over his head and the owners came over after the race and were himming and hawing asking about my background, trying to find out if I would be interested in riding their drag bike and I politely declined.
@john thonig My '72 H2 was known as a Mach IV and it's been a long time but I thought one side of the body cover said 750 and the other side said Mach IV, the 500 was known as the Mach III
@john thonig Yeah the 500's were known as quite fast too...I raced a couple of them in my hometown...the H2 left them as roadkill.
when motors out performed their frames...good times!
Lost my spleen to a 78 KZ1000 , I agree.
And we loved it because they all flexed. The forks would also. We just treated it as normal. Great fun! I had two GT750's and a Honda CBX 1000 during those days
"let the good times roll", Kawasaki's slogan in the early '70s.
"Change of underwear not included" LOL
Not in a tank slapper
That 4 cylinder engine scream, actually defined motorcycling of the 70's and 80's
Damn, I remember getting a speeding ticket on a kz900 from an Anaheim cop parked in a hotel back in 73 when he saw the headlight go up 3 times and i saw him and pulled right over. he gave me a ticket for doing 50 in a 40 and he told me after he wrote up the ticket, come on, how fast were you really doing, when i passed you and shut down, i was doing 120mph! TRUE STORY and last year, I took my son's concours out on 86 and passed a ISP going 140 and it took almost 5 mins in his charger for that ISP to catch up with me, i slowed down to 120 and he told me he could arrest me and i told him back in the 70's, i would have rode a wheelie past you on a KH750 widow maker! He laughed AND let me go and told me, Old Man, keep it under 80mph and have a nice day! Another True Story WINNING!
I lived at Sunflower and Fairview Santa Ana 73-76 had an apt there near corner.My wife worked at. Orange Coast College
Cool story bro
@john thonig Chips pulled him over and said: we got the same engine sound...
@john thonig !!!
@john thonig Just a little bit smaller 10%
Cranked er' up to 9,000 and the left mirror decided to part company but man what a ride. Loved the Kawasakis 900's
Great bikes. Well put together video. Long live the Z1....
What a bike, truly a legend, I miss this nostalgia so much.
Check out the new one looks just as good
キレイにしてるな〜 ZⅡは憧れの名車、ZⅠなんて憧れの憧れ、雲の上の存在だよ
When I was 21 years old I had a motorcycle of these and enjoyed it for 6 years and I have good memories now I am 67 years old and now I have a Yamaha facer 600 less displacement and more hp. congratulations on the video Angel from Spain
Stunning bike, I hope you keep it in the house!
FUCKING things look brand new
Incredible bike!!! better than most of current ones!! Kawa Z1 and Honda CBX 1000... beasts!!
Let the good times roll.
@Danny Dan The 70s I remember gas was like 3 bucks a gallon and had to wait in line to get it. 27 cents was maybe early 60s late 50s
When Venezuela was a rich country in the 70s in the city of Caracas was one of the best-selling bikes at that time I had a Honda 750cc motorcycle and sold it to buy the Kawasaki 900cc was a very fast motorcycle for its time I put an exhaust pipe 4 en1 was very beautiful the sound the problem of this motorcycle Kawasaki was his engine was very delicate for five years gave me many problems with the engine after I sold it and I bought a Ducati 900cc ss that also had engine problems In those days the engines of these bikes were not like those of today.
At this moment I live in Spain and I have a Yamaha Facer fz6 that has 98 hp and weighs very little now I am 66 years old and I still enjoy motorcycles after many years. Greetings to all
新車のようだ、 最高のオーナーに巡り会えた 最高のバイク。 やっぱりこの時代のバイクは傑作だよな
What a blast ! . . on the cusp of my 67th bday ! That is the exact '74 KZ900 I bought at 20 yr old ! ! Fastest thing available on 2 wheels! WooHoo ! Damn, kinda miss that machine. Thanx for the memories-burnouts&twist the wick! !
Had a 74 that I put about 40k on. Beautiful runner. Went thru tires, sprockets and pipes so fast I could only barely keep it on the road
I bought a KZ900 n 1977 and owned it until 1979 .I put Lester Mags which rear hub was for stock brake shoes.They were brushed metal on outside part of wheel.Then of coarse the centers were painted black.(1st class work) Then Kerker Black complete exaust, jetted up Mikuni 28mm and last K and N Air... Put LTD seat shorty black handle bars gummy grips.Last 2 items Oil Cooler and Huge Pirelli rubber on 16 in Lester Wheel. Had the bike painted the 79 Chevy Blue Emron. I really loved this bike which really turned heads at every red lite n Baton Rouge. RIP my KZ Beast.
I had the 73. A real rocket in those days.
That is a magnificent machine! Polished and so clean. Beautiful.
I have the 2018 version. Love it!
Over many yrs street riding I had 2 900’s, 1 kz1000,5 H1’s & 1 h2 triple 3 strokes and loved them all!
Been riding street bikes since 1972 and still to this day own a 75 H1 500 triple for me to blast around on by myself when the mood strikes me. Also have a 2012 Yamaha roadstar large 1700cc sir cooled v-twin cruiser wife & I cruise around on with me being 65yrs young & not afraid to flog my triple once in a while to show the youngsters old guys & machines can still get outta there own way too including a moderate 1st or 2nd gear front wheelie once in a while too!/LOL!
Also do the same thing to kids with fart can muffler Honda civics when I blow them off the road with the .#’s matching 69 chevelle ss396 (now .030” over to 402) 4spd I have owned since 1978 , but I admit that’s not fair being like a big bully (old school big blog Chevy) beating up on a little kid with a 4cyl civic thought it’s still fun to do anyway!/lol!
The king of motorcycles
Otelio Garcia. I remember my mates Suzuki Katana 1100 blowing me off the road. "When you think your fast" ??? 🤔😭
@@66hobgoblin81
Yeah a Katana will blow a K1 off and my R1 will blow a Katana off ......... but a couple of years back I got to ride one of the K1's later developments - still an inline 4 aircooled beast. And it was gorgeous. It wasn't as fast at acceleration, or top speed, or as planted as my R1 - BUT it was an absolute blast and I would be proud and pleased to own one.
Or, humm, maybe an early H1 500 triple. Or ..........
First saw a Z1 at a Cafe in France one summers evening. Big crowd of riders on an assortment of bikes including many Honda 750's, which until then was the bike to have. Then a bike came down the road and an area cleared so he could park. Immediately a huge group of people crowded around the guy and his bike. I was awestruck, the bike was beautiful and it had those magic numbers on the side"900", a monster. Because I was not French, and everyone else was, he took pity on me as I tried to get close to his machine and allowed me to sit on it. A teenager, French girls and a Z1! One of the great memories of my life and it made me a lifelong Kawasaki fan. Now on my 9th and all because of one summers night and a Z1.
Phillip McKenzie Katana’s are jokes.
@@Farweasel My cbrxx1100 black bird will bow your R1 Hayabusa and Z14 they dont talk about that, only one I am no shure is BMWRR
Classic motorcycle. I have one Z900 from 1976, diamond green, i bought it 1984.