First start in 40 years - Kawasaki Z1B 900 engine
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.พ. 2021
- I this video I start a 1974 Kawasaki Z1B 900 out of the bike and for the first time in over 40 years. I go through some basic checks and rig up the engine for starting out of the bike. There was no evidence that this engine had ever been apart since assembled in Japan at the Kawasaki factory in 1974. I take it over to my mate Henrys farm to run it up and give it a proper rev up.
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By far, my favorite motorcycle engineering and fiddling channel. Unpretentious, humble, brilliant, calm, without annoying music. It has everything right!
Thank you
Thank GOD that the UK can still produce eccentric genius engineers like Allen Millyard. Individuals like you have been the backbone of British invention since ... for ever! Many Thanks.
Incredible ! Jesus man, you're fantastic !
God bless
This kind of genius is so utterly rare, i dare say its almost extinct. What a privilege just to witness Alan's work.
We can't.
Unless you noticed, Alan is approaching being an old man.
There are no apprenticeships doing what he's doing (he was a toolmaker I believe)
We thought financial services (servicing small hat banks) was the way.
We were wrong and we'll never get it back
Absolutely right. I did an apprenticeship that gave me skills available nowhere else. I can’t claim be an Allen Millyard but without that background, I wouldn’t even understand just how good he is.
This channel has become my place to relax during a busy work-at-home day. Allen is good in everything I am not good at!
Allen is a gentleman who attacks life with a mixture of extreme genius and somewhat eccentric enthusiasm .... he's a national treasure!! :)
40 YEARS, most people would suck air through there teeth and say it needs a full strip down mate, not Allen, four carb rubbers, check the points bung some fuel in it, away you go, magic! The eccentric genius is alive and well in Britain, he can be found wandering the lanes of the Cotswolds! Thank goodness for original people! He should get a knighthood for making people smile!
Depends on the condition surely ? And whether it's been stored outside or inside !
@@Sam_Green____4114 Come on, just smile.
@@glencasson9046 I’ve got an 89 Harley FLTCU……new carb, new ignition module…..she runs…..
Looked like it had been decently stored, no corrosion to speak of. Still, a guy that can tune carbs to near perfection by blowing through them is pretty special.
Gave the carbs a quick wipe...( the thing a couple thousand guys get wrong )
Allen and Henry together what a pair of wonderful loonies.
The quiet ones are always the worst.
Looking forward to Ep. 3
Good ol' Japanese engineering this reminds me of finding a 1960s Suzuki 125 in a rental property's chook shed asked the owner about it he said it was there when he had bought it 25 years earlier didn't know how long it had been there
The tank was bone dry, petcock seized with varnish, we put penetrine down the bore and some x55 solvent from work through the carb, had a spark so kicked it over and it fired after about five attempts on the solvent, I was really impressed with the Japanese after that😁
I couldn’t agree with you more.
Has Henry Cole got a YT channel?
@@Sam_Green____4114 Yes
I bought a 1975 Z1B in 1975 which was burgundy! Wonderful motorcycle! I remember changing the points and doings the timing and changing the shims on the valves. I came from a 2 stroke Hodaka, Mach 3, and a H2 750. What a difference, much more rideable. The Z1 was just as fast as my H2 but without the vibration. Fond memories!!!❤️
When Allen was revving it, I had a grin as big as Allens.... Beautiful sound.
"The madness of Millyard" needs to be on a T-shirt.
Yes :)
I concur.
Mad Millyard needs merch.
I'd buy one
Available via mail order, only.
i dont buy merch but i would buy that...
edit: done tastefully of course in a small neat logo no bigger than the size of a tax disc.
As time passes, those older Japonese engines just look even better, authentic, beautiful and yet simple robust engines, that were designed to run and run. Long before the days that vehicle manufacturers sought to ensure after sales from inbuilt defects, or extreme crippling revenue from dealership franchise. Good honest engineering, from a dedicated, and proud nation. Thanks Allen x
Yes , those z’s . My z1000 did 86,000 miles, bomb
proof if looked after and stunning looking👍
It's the air cooling that gives the classic, robust design. I had a FJ1100 in the 90's with a 1300 resleeve and other mods. Conventional wisdom said it wouldn't last at that bore. Rubbish, I put hard miles on it over deserts, up mountain ranges, and on the daily freeway grind for 30k miles. Never seized, never failed, and would roll past the ZX11 up to the 150 mph mark.
Made in Japan = ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Having been in engineering since 72 - I always wondered why (considering a 64 1500 Ford uniflow engine) car engines where not made like bike engines?! Well - now they are.
@@bruces3613 I had an FJ 1100 about three years ago but because I moved into a flat had no where to store and finish a minor refurb had to literally sell it for scrap. Previously running well with a new MOT wouldnt fetch £700.
This man truly loves what he does! A true genius and his knowledge of motors and fabrication are just out of this world!
I can smell the exhaust. I remember when these things came out and it was 900cc, then 1000cc and 1100cc and we were all in heaven with such large, high horsepower engines. Thanks for the video Allen, it brought back a lot of memories. Edit: Love the uncontrollable smile when you were revving it up....
My dad bought a new KZ900 out of Memphis in 1973 and that was the first time I got to drive a car there and took it home to Mississippi.
The man is a genius, plain and simple.
Yes.
The definition of 'Genius' is origin or original, and he has done LOTS of that.
.
I concur, but there is a sad, bitter, rude, obviously envious little man with his own YT channel who takes umbrage with the word genius. He did a whole 20 minute monologue on it.
@@michaelhayward7572
The question now is should he be identified so we may take the piss out of him, or would we be doing him a service to even acknowledge his existence ?
I DO love a good YT street fight !
.
@@a.bloke2.0alwayslearning.23 the workshop.
Run by a guy with a big mouth, decent with a whiteboard and theory, never shown any remote talent with a set of spanners. Ever.
@@michaelhayward7572
Mmmm . . . . . .
Sounds like FUN !
I LOVE demolishing those guys.
.
All those years playing with engines and still grins a proper schoolboy grin when one comes back to life.
Especially when he pulls the header pipes for a sound comparison!
Every motorcyclist who has ever tinkered with a bike will have appreciated the sense of relief when it started. Reminded me of an old Triumph T110, 60 years ago.
Great engineer and machinist. I expect Allen was drawing bikes and engines in his exercise book when the English teacher covered adjectives and adverbs ! We can forgive him that - Britain needs more blokes like this...
Nice to see Henry making a guest appearance!
Makes a change , I usually see Allen as the guest on the motorbike show. If the general public only knew.
This guy’s knowledge and skill is incredible!
One of the best bike mechanic and fabricators washes engines on his back patio!
That is the most emotion I've seen out of dozens of his videos
I bought my 1974 900 Z1B new in Adelaide South Australia. The 900 is a beautiful machine, still turning heads today. Styling far ahead of its time. I wish I had kept it. ❤️
I'm really pleased with how it runs, now I'm going to take it back home and cut it up with a hacksaw! Lol
and add another 3 cylinder to it!
@@fidelcatsro6948 only 3???? It looks perfect to make a V8 from to me.
@@GB-vn1tf but 7 is unique!!
Probably turn it into a five cylinder! LOL! 😂😎👏did you see the Kawi. H2 he turned into a five cylinder? It was hard enough to keep the frontend on the pavement with just three on those things, I can't imagine trying to ride it with five! I took a ride on someone's H2 back in 77 I simply changed from second to third topping a hill, wasn't even on it hard but the frontend didn't touch the pavement until the bottom, almost pooped my pants! LOL! Wasn't expecting that at all!😎👏
@@fidelcatsro6948 he all ready did that! You didn't see his Z1 six cylinder? The blue one with the gold stripes? Beautiful motorcycle!👏
KAW 900 brings back memories had one back in 77-78 a real beast.
I’ve been doing mechanical work for 40 years I know I will never reach the level of my father who back in the day before he lost his leg in a motorcycle accident was putting VW valves in his Harley Davison to Trick it out. When I look at Allen and his genius I am in awe.. when you’re around innovators and fabricators all your life like I had the wonderful opportunity of growing up in it really gives me another level of appreciation for Mr. millyard
This is the best content on youtube by far. You have such a calming aura and voice Allen and a good subtle sense of humor.
We all love Allen Millyard, That being said, the watch repair channel guy also deserves a mention for the calming aura !!!!
2 David Munro’s agree that we love this channel.
Just comes across like friendly Uncle Alan 😀
Three legends in one video. Millyard, Cole, and a Z1 lump. It doesn't get much better.
Made me chuckle after a long day of home working behind a screen, what an engineer, a legend. Im off to my shed now to break something probably
I'm still riding my 1975 Kawasaki Z1 900 with 140,000 miles. It has had maintenance and rebuilds as needed.
would like to hear what the 61 people who thumbed down didn't like about this great video! Thanks Allen for posting, I'm sure there'll be a part II when you find a frame to mobilize this sweet powertrain.
A comment from China by a Canadian. This video is what I needed today. My first bike was a 1973 S2 350. The 73 Z1 was king. I cannot thank you enough for the pure joy of watching this video.
Brilliant ! Takes me back to the Z days of the 70s and 80s. Ive had 3 of these beasties...wish I still had them !!
I live in Northamptonshire. This engine starting woke me up one Sunday morning.
Ha ha
Life is When 50+ year Old guys looks like 12 year Old boys because of an engine makes fantastic NOISE😂
You’ve laid hands on this engine, it has been blessed! All hail Millyard, the creator and saviour of all engines.
I agree. Wonder if he could cast a long distance spell on my KZ750b twin and make it run.
@@perrycalabrese3475 you need to build a Millyard alter and make daily offerings.
Gotta love the headless burbles! When the point cover was off, that was a really good sign.
There is nothing Mr Millyard cannot do. A true master. Well done sir.
Nice to see a genuine smile of happiness on Allen's face, that engine sounds mint, it must have been stored very carefully for the last 40 years.
Carefully = keep it inside 👍
Absolutely incredible! And the grin on your face was an absolute picture! Many more of these please Allen! 😃
I love that smile you get from the satisfaction of your love of motorcycles
You sir are a Guru of old school motorcycles. Awesome video too!
Ace 👍.
The Kawasaki Z1's engines are beautiful, as are the engines on nearly all air-cooled bikes. Most modern motorcycles are a plumbing nightmare or radiator monstrosity, or both.
Fortunately, Kawasaki make the W800, and the Japan only Meguro. Two air-cooled beauties.
Who in their right mind would ever get upset and complain with whatever you do Mr. Millyard? - You are a fucking legend!
Any neighbor who gets upset with whatever you do, should feel shame and never have the opportunity to taste one of your wife's cupcakes, ever.
The z1B is probably one best engines made by Kawasaki
A day at the farm with Allen. Thanks for posting.
Your neighbours should be paying to listen to this, Henry appreciated it for sure. Great stuff.
Nice to see my second hero Henry.... what a pair of stars.
This is a channel, where i click on the like button first, then watch the video. Yeah, i'm that confident, as are most other viewers :)
Thank you Mr Millyard. This brings back great memories of my bikin days. From Vancouver, BC. (Hollywood North) Cheers.
2.21.21. I remember these when they came out late 1972.......🏁. The two-stroke Mach III in 500 & 750cc were wickedly quick! The transition to the Kawasaki 903 engine, was breathtaking in a few short years.......quite the learning curve for Kawasaki heavy industries™️
The big two strokes with the bendy frames, specifically designed to keep your bowels moving !
They made a 900cc also but it was banned
@Andy b, did they?!
Makes a call on a rotary dial phone. Classic!
The built proof 70’s Z series ... plus the legend Alan❤️👍👊
Love watching this man at work
Hi Allen, as always your sense of humour just makes me chuckle. Mmmm, gonna upset the neighbours, I know I'll chuck it in the pickup and shoot over to Henry's where I can rev and rev it to my hearts content. Priceless.! Started and sounded fantastic BTW.
Thanks for brightening our Sunday up as always mate. Cheers, Alex.
What a beautiful sounding engine! She's completely ready to be back on the road. Just need to find the right chassis for it. I'm well pleased with the way you made this video and can't wait to see the next one. Thanks again for your time today.
Bloody brilliant Mr Millyard, I think you could breath life into any motor!
That's just made my morning here in Thailand😃
Thank you Sir 🙏✌❤
One of the most beautiful engines ever produced...
I used to have a 1975 Z1B, and it always started nice. One of the few bikes that would actually start, and run without a battery, one of the best engines around in my humble opinion, cheers. Enjoyed seeing this immensely, great find Allen!
Engineering genius with a sense of humour.
Nice one Allen! You make it look so easy! Easier than crochet! Great video 👍
What an inspiration to budding young (and old) hobbyist mechanics and motorcyclists in general, a classic example as to what makes Britain great, Mr. Millyard you deserve a Knighthood ! Thanks for sharing some of your knowledge with us mere mortals.
You can tell this man found his calling. That engine was like a little hungry orphan before.
Just watched this one again Allen love watching you work makes me smile.
your an absolute genius allen. . incredilble stuff you do. a pleasure to watch thankyou
That motor will make a great addition to a stock Z1B 900 collector bike.
The Kawasaki Z1B 900 are like gold in Japan
Any classics are like gold in Japan.They pay big money to get them.Good and bad thing since it drives the prices up for the normal local people.
@@derekcollins1972 Yup, the dealers here used to buy them and ship them back to Japan.
@@scottw550 Yes.Its a shame really but I get it.
I can't explain how much I love your videos mate, thanks!
An absolute delight, thank you very much Mr. Millyard.
Obviously one of the best engine designed in are times
The smile said it all. And somewhere in the world Greta is rubbing her eyes. Long may the "Madness of Millyard" continue.
Beautiful Allan, absolutely beautiful.
If you went to a MOTOGP race in Italy in the past 20 years or so you are likely familiar with the "Noise Makers" - wherein 'enthusiasts' will drag a salvage motor to the track on a cart for the purpose of turning gas into noise and mechanical mayhem. They'll run them right up to redline and play songs with the rev limiter until something gives out. Those guys smile like that.
Taking the engine to the country was a good idea. Greta couldn’t possibly hear it out there. I wish the condition of my points on the ratty bikes I drag home looked like yours. Congrats.
The country is full of ramblers that have Greta on their speed dial.
How dare you!
A lot of right-wingers in here, it seems.
@@dizzywow Oh diddums. Poor lil snowflake. Do you need your safe space?
I own a 1976 Z900. Bought it new and have ridden ever since. So mine has been running for 46 years and 164000km. The cylinder head is going to require major work now as the valve clearances are currently set with the thinnest shims.
My bike has a number of upgrades necessitated by it's age. Electronic ignition , voltage regulator and rectifier, Hagon rear shocks, Akront alloy rims and a Kerker stainless exhaust . Still has the original paint. I have most of the original parts. What a bike.
I spent my teenage years working on my 1978 KZ650 and 1976 KZ900. I haven't got a good look at one of those engines since 1995.
Reminds me of when I first started my 1936 Austin Ruby engine after it had been standing for 35 years. It was still in the car, and we actually drove it a few yards. Mine took maybe 5 minutes to settle on to all 4 cylinders though. Looking forward to getting her on the road again when restrictions ease.
Glad you replaced the rubber carb mounts. People don't realise how important that is for the engine to run well.
I received my "It fit's perfect" tee shirt this week.
Now I need “it fits perfect “ t shirt. Lol
I imagine that you were well pleased with that.
I got my Flyng Millyard shirt the other day, it's perfect!
*It fits perfectly.
7:21.
I want a
" The madness of Millyard" tee shirt.
The "boy at Christmas" grin when it fires up is priceless. Anyone who has stared an old engine knows this feeling. Us mortals have to do a lot more kicking though.
Wonderful as Always Sir Millyard!
Loved it. Japanese engineering at its best. Thanks Allen and Henry.
What a buzz , you just can't beat that feeling of the first start . Stoked that you're stoked ! Thanks for sharing , brings back happy memories .
Just love this channel. Not surprised Allen got it running. A bit surprised he did not first change out the 40 year old oil though!
I am sure he did, and a few hours cleaning up the Carbs. Cheers.
I bought one Kawa 900 that was standing outside for 15 year doing nothing. I put gas in the tank and put a battery in, and it run olmoost instantly. Those engines are rock sollid.
Allen touches it, and it runs "Perfect".
Amazing start , after 40 years well done can't wait to see the bike you put it into , nice touch taking it up to Henry's for the Inugral first run, this has made my day twice like watching the antics of you both , cheers , thumbs up
I love that cheesy grin when you're revving it up without headers, same grin I got when i got my 750 bandit running for the first time
Mr. Millyard, you have made my day with this video. I haven't even watched it yet!
Even more so now that I have seen it!
You wouldn't have thought this engine had not been run for 40 years. Whoever owned this really did take care of it :)
the green in his face, priceless
Beautiful! The internal combustion engine has an elegance that will never be usurped by any electric motor.
Wow! That motor sounds incredible, for sitting unloved for49+ years! I have a 1975 Z1B 900 that I have owned since 1999. The motor has never been opened up, and it has approximately 15000 miles on it. No smoke, no noises, and I could go out in the shop and in 1 or 2 kicks, she'll fire right up after sitting for a year! The only modifications that have been done, are a full chrome kit, chrome Kerker 4-1 header, an oil pressure gauge, and a Dyna 2000 electronic ignition circuit. I have always ridden Kawasakis, since I was about 6 years old. I have owned other makes such as Honda, my first street bike, a 1972 350, a Honda CB 650, a 1968 Harley Davidson Iron head Sportster hard tail with 18" over springer. Sold the Harley after high school before leaving for the Army. I always had a Kawasaki too, usually a 900 or 1000. Also, I have the same Dodge quad cab in the same color! After watching this video, I am now a subscriber!
Brilliant
The smile of a naughty school boy...priceless
Allen’s SMILE 😄 SAYS IT ALL !!!!
when it comes to motorcycles we are all big kids at heart....excellent video by two top blokes
I don’t want to be the lockdown police or criticise others. Once you had explained that this is the way you put a meal on the table I touch my comment down. Please explain to people in your videos that you’re not popping round to your friend for some motorcycle fun, but this is the way you are paying the bills. You are one of the most original and interesting TH-camrs; your quality of production, detail and fun are recognised and appreciated. Like many others I look forward to each new video. I'm praying that God blesses you and your family during this difficult time.
11:32 - Ichiban Moto sticker spotted! I'm pretty sure there should be 5/5 of them 😎
Badass!
Wish he was doing more content... badass indeed!
@@billmoran3219 Rumor has it, that he will soon™ 🤘
Allen gets ten out of five !
i heard that too
That grin said it all!
the big smile after reving it without exaust !!!! I LOV IT
I worked for Kawasaki in 74 . The 900 was advertised to top out at 154 mph and it would do that and more !
@Larry .. Brave man !! I to worked for Kawasaki in the same era as you. Rode many Z900 but never hung on long enough to prove their top speed, as I recall, after 130mph or so most of them wanted to through you off !!
Allen, it really says something when Henry Cole thinks you're mad. Don't let that ever stop you though.
Awesome!! I'd like a friend like Henry.
Wow! I sounds great! I’m getting near starting my 1982 Honda CB900F that hadn’t run in 33 years. I hope I’m as fortunate as Mr. Millyard!
Allens videos fill me with urge to go out and pull bits off my motorcycle and replace them again for no apparent reason..
"Allen, what's this in the garden?" " Oh, that's just my Kawasaki Z1 drying in the sunshine." " that's nice, try not to kill anything dear."