This is my 1975 Z1 900 that I have owned since new. Johnny did an incredible job in the restoration and it runs as beautifully as it looks. Anyone considering a Kawasaki restoration must contact Johnny. He has to be the best expert in the country when it comes to Kawasaki Z1's. Thanks also, to John's wife, Robin, for the wonderful video documenting the restoration. Lastly, thanks to my late father, Vincent Lepore, MD for his love and support. ..........Vince Lepore, Jr., MD
Sweet bike although as a European I prefer "our" version with the lower steering bar and no sissy bar. I had a Z1000A1 back in the 80s, in NL. Commuted with it, drove it in the rain and snow, moved from NL to the UK with it, drove it from the UK to NL umpteen times, drove it from the UK to Italy and back. I put more miles on it in a week than you did in its entire career LOL! I can't decide if I should get my bottom back on an old Z1 or get a new Z900RS ....
Wow! Beautiful bike. Your Dad seemed really nice, reminded me of my Dad (who was in hospital administration) when he started talking about the the tires! I have a 1976 KZ900 LTD in almost as nice of condition. May I ask what you did with the sissy bar?
What a stunning 75 Kawasaki. I’m the proud owner of a 2021 Z900 RS Café. One thing I can say is the paint work on the 2021 Kawasaki is second to none. that being said, holy moly what a great job on this 75 Kawasaki. Reminds me a lot of my 76 KZ 650
Great restoration job....!!!! Bike looks almost perfect...!!!!! I mean almost looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor circa 1975...!!!! Makes me feel like I was wishin' I still had mine...I had a 1975 Z1 900 too, same colors ...!!! It was An awesome M/C, Very Fast, and I mean Very, very Fast...!!! Sold it some 23 years ago or so after I put some 35,000 miles of long camping, road trips or lots of trips to the drag strip, which always posed some exciting moments for me not necessarily tall in stature being about 5'7" tall and barely 130 lbs, I never did seem to weigh the Z1 down too much. So it really just "Got with the program In short order..!! And on more than one occasion totally blew my friends' minds and anyone else I was riding with, when I just smoked everyone that was passing "slower" traffic on the highway by passing them at the same time as they passed the before mentioned cars, noting they had said that they were typically tapped out with their M/Cs while passing as I just blew passed them both at the same time, just barely breathing hard as I did. Did I mention it was Fast..?? I mean God awful FAST. Never uncontrollable, just very predictable and all ya had to do, was just roll it on, as fast as you wanted to make it go, It would do, Just ask kind of thing, and away you-all'd go..!!!! Didn't matter if you were two up or just single. The Z1 didn't care. Go meant go..!!! Lots of fun. It was an awesome bike to own, never left me stranded, always got me home, as long as I put some gas in it....typically I got 40 to 44 mpg. Not fantastic, but you could count on it, very consistant....heh. Thanks for sharing, Love your work. There needs to be continued efforts in saving these awesome Kawi's. Has to be one of the best bikes ever produced. I loved mine, had it for some 19 years or so, I think.
Had a 75 Z1B 900 from 1976 to 1983. Loved it. Wife loved it. Had LTD King and queen seat with sissy bar, Windjammer III fairing, crisis cross headers and roll under crash bar. Wonderful ride.
I really enjoyed this video. I had quite a few bikes growing starting with a 1968 Honda Mini Trail. After that I had a few dirt bikes, Yamaha 175, Honda 350, Honda 750, and shortly after sold it to my uncle and got a first year model Kawasaki 900 from an older man who had been using it as a touring bike. It had 32,000 miles on it. My dad and older brother rebuilt the motor and of course added a header. Not long after we turned it into a pro stock bike . It ran 10,20 in the quarter like that. Then we went of into turbo land and eventually set two NHRA records which were retired in the record books. It was at the time, the fastest bike in the Country in it's class, running low eight second quarter miles. My dad got a more mature rider (actually he probably just didn't want to get me killed, lol, but by that time I had joined a band and toured over 2/3rds while under one of Charlie Prides management agencies. Welll I'm sixty years old now, damn time flies....But I think I'm ready to get back on two wheels again. But I sure as hell have no desire to climb aboard an 8 second fire breathing dragon again.. ;-)
there are ten,s of thousands of us that had z1 900s all across America and Canada and europe that wish the dummies at Kawasaki would re-make this bike..because we would buy it in a heartbeat ,because we have the money to do so . do it just for one year are you listening Kawasaki heavy industry........ps pass this on .....great video and shop
The Z1 900 was the bike I WANTED but could not afford back when (I couldn't even afford a used SOHC CB750 at the time). Now, in modern times, the best I could do for a factory fresh bike is the beautiful Honda CB1100 air cooled four. A good consolation prize, but if there were a new air cooled Z1 900 that is of the style of the early 70's...
Trouble is when Kawasaki read and decide to respond to such a request, they come up with something like the Zephyr 1100 or the current Z900RS which in my humble opinion shares little more than cylinder configuration with these far more interesting machines. They thought us old guys would go crazy for the OG Jaffa paint job and just overlook the fact it has sweet nothing in common with these, the REAL Z's we all grew up on. While they COULD actually make a true replica of these 70's Z1's, imagine the howls of protest from owners of original and restored bikes as the big K flooded the market.
Excellent job on my favourite Z1 series bike. I have a USA import 1978 Z1000 A2 which I have lightly refurbished with only 15000 miles painted in Z1B style & 4 in to 1 exhaust here in Nottingham UK. Keep up the good work I enjoy all your videos. I wanted a blue Z1B when I was a teenager but had a Z650 in 1978 but regretted not getting a Z1B 900. Still the best looking bike of the 1970's
Any time you start restoring something it becomes a domino effect: where do you stop? And it is SOOooooooo hard to stop!!! You want it perfect; like brand new or better and it is just SOoooo hard to just say: Well that's good enough!! Because it's not!!! It has to be PERFECT or it's NOT and NOT is NOT good enough!! We take GREAT pride in restorations.
Carping aside, you made a VERY nice restoration, and my hat is off to you. The polished aluminum pieces were absolutely beautiful! I STILL miss the '70's!
Purchased a brand new Z1 Kawasaki 900 in 1975 also from Ricks Cycle Center in Bound Brook, NJ. The Fastest Motorcycle I ever drove and owned back in the day. They made them in 2 Colors that year. Maroon like the one here in this Video and Dark Blue. Sold it in 1978 because I was going into business for myself and needed money I Sold my Z1 and ‘72 Corvette Coupe to go into the Auto Parts Business. Wish I still had them both but I have to say things turned out very well because of my sacrifice. I should mention I paid $2150 for mine brand new in the color Dark Blue. First thing I did with mine was pull the original exhaust off and installed a Yoshamara Header on it and a Steering Damper. When I talk with people to this day about the bike the only way I could explain it is like being Shot Out of a Cannon when getting on this Motorcycle and it being Bullet Proof.
Excellent job my favourite Z1 series bike I have a USA Z1000 A2 1978 import with only 15000 miles here in Nottingham UK which I have painted in Z1B style, and lightly refurbished. I always wanted a Z1B when I was a teenager. Keep up the good work I enjoy all your videos.
I am super excited about the new 2018 KZ900RS. I owned a 1977 KZ1000 and I absolutely loved it. I would pay anything to get my old KZ back, I love these bikes.
I like that, he says “it looks like the bike is well kept, we can put a few tires on it” i’m not sure where the third tire would go lol maybe a spare :-) Great bike, great video.
Wow I'd thought that this standard of bike would have been a dream, what a beautiful motorbike guess the fella had to get his career out of the way,, and he's really going to enjoy it now 🤔🤔🍀🍀🍀thanks again Johnny
First large bike I drove, I was hooked and had many others after that, awesome job looks brilliant job well done. It might not be a Rumbly Harley or a hells angles bike, but I'm sure they all know what it is when they see it.
Hi johnny back in 1976 I was saving for one of these,at the time I had the Z750 twin which was a great bike but they stopped production and brought out the Z1000 with the 4into2 exhaust so I baught one of those instead another great bike ,but I sorry I missed out on the Z1900 this video was great thankyou for taking me back to my youth I'm 63yrs old and now ride a kawasaki Vulcan 650 s
Yes he's probably enjoying everything about it. It's a beauty. I own '75 Z1 #52525 in candy blue and the only thing I'd like more about it is if I had an extra set of candy red body work to swap onto it now and then. Anyway love your guys videos makes this long ass winter a bit more tolerable.
Such a great chance to refurbish a truely original unmolested Z ! As Vince commented it was his decision to take it that level. The details that you guys know and impart is wonderful. Every video I learn more and respect your openess and whilst it would have been about the best to buy its great that the original owner wanted it 😊 I hope over the last few years he has had some excellent returning memories! Great work (Again) @ Johnnie's vintage mc 👏 💯❤
Such an awesome video as usual, I rescued a 1998 KZ1000P from certain death. Nowhere close to perfect, but your videos kept me motivated when I felt like giving up on her. It's a decommissioned police bike, which means it's been ridden to death by our local police before being auctioned. The guy who purchased it did little to nothing but just ride it to death. Now she's mine and I take pleasure in changing parts and enjoy bringing her back to life. Where I live in St. Lucia, there are some very cool older bikes but no one wants them because guys are all about the latest sport bike. Wish I had the cash and space, I would collect them all lol lol. Anyway great video, keep up the good work!!!!
Beautiful work Johnny!! I have an identical bike in my garage. I purchased new when I was 22. I am now 66 and would like to get it to that gorgeous shape again. Maybe one day. Isidro Salas
His last comment is "I think we have a near perfect bike." And that totally nails it, he is 100% correct. That is just a stunning restoration job on a classic bike. Just plain wow!
Excellent job - I'd love to own that. I would have done as little as possible to get it safely on the road and then just ridden it for 1000 miles to uncover any problems. To me the patina on old metal and the original paint with just some WD40 on it has a genuine original feel about it that I like. It's the same as if you polish the patina off old coins they are worth less money to collectors but many people don't agree with me and want their bikes to look brand new as though they just left the factory. Ultimately it's the owners bike and he can do what he likes to it. Johnny gave him the choice so he's fair about it.
I bought a brand new 1975 Kawasaki 900 Z1B, exact same color. Cost me $2,525.00 out the door in July, 1975. Rode it over 57,000 miles before I rebuilt the engine. Only did it then because I wanted to. Because the new bikes were faster. After some help from Pops Yoshimura, it never lost another street race. It would pull away from an XS Eleven while I was riding double!! No trouble with it, either. Ended up as an 1,105cc. Many GSXR 1,100s lost when they thought they'd win. Not by much, but a loss is a loss, no matter if it's 5 feet, or 25 feet.
We're working on that actually, Kevin. Trying to figure out a way for our camera person to be in there while the work is being done. Its a busy shop so much of this is filmed after hours when it's quiet. But yours isn't the first suggestion of this nature, and we're going to try and do more of this in the future. Thanks for the feedback!
Really beautiful, the bike, story and the people involved in the restore, I only wish Kawasaki had made the Z900RS with proper rear shocks and per the original Z900.
Great video! My only suggestion would be to put a piece of foam over your video cameras microphone to cut out the wind noise while recording. I love it when you say genu-wine! :)
We are SO struggling with this issue! John hates wearing cordless microphones, and we've had a lot of high winds in Ohio. We'll try your suggestion. Thanks! -- Robin
Qué buen laburo loko felitaciones sos un capo en dejar esa Kawa así amigo, q bien, la ventaja q ahí se encuentra todo de esas makinas clásicas q en mi país cuesta encontrar repuestos, en fin mí nombre es Xavier, saludos desde Argentina, sos un capo Man ,,
Lite me Johnny..as Toecutter would say...lol...2 days solid iv been watching your restoration videos,my biggest regret ,even above my 2 divorces was getting rid of my big Kwak...lol
I own several of these old KZ's... Ya'all do a great job there & I really like your communication with the customer for the decisions moving forward.. The only thing in the entire video that made me CRINGE... the original pipes should have been on a blanket or towel ....easily scratched laying on cement floor...but if that is the worst thing I could find that was negative.... then you guys are really good..beautiful bike there... I have one in the Blue color.
You can take a bit of that boggy lag out by setting the intake valves to the bare minimum. Probably right around .07mm. Course you need a metric feeler gage to do that. If it gets hard to start; gonna have to readjust and a good idea every 1000 miles. I always wanted to try jam nuts on the jam nuts but never had 4 extra nuts. I even ground a 10mm open end wrench thinner to hold the bottom nut.
sorry to comment about this, but, at the beginning, the dad said his son wanted the bike cleaned up to ride again. has 2750 miles on it. should have just detailed it. did the brakes, rebuild the carbs, clean the tank, tune it, change oil and filters, . plugs, replace the tires and maybe cables. looks like you charged 10k! why replace the bolts? rear fender cover went from buffing to repaint. sorry man, cant watch any more.
Hey, don't fret; the customer himself requested this work be done on his beloved motorcycle. Kept him in the loop 100%, gave him options at every turn, which you would pick up on if you actually watch. No worries. We do what the customer requests. Some people just want the whole enchilada.
I am the owner of the bike. John kept me apprised of the options throughout the restoration. Every decision regarding the restoration was mine to make and John informed me of costs at every step. The cost of the restoration was far under the 10 K figure. In fact, I felt so strongly that John under charged me, that I sent him a 20% bonus at the completion of the project. It's been three years since John finished the restoration and the bike still looks and runs like new. Thanks, John & Robin the bike still makes me smile.
@@SanJosePlasticSurgery-DrVincen Your bike, your call man! I had a Z1000A1 back in the 80s, in NL. Commuted with it, drove it in the rain and snow, moved from NL to the UK with it, drove it from the UK to NL umpteen times, drove it from the UK to Italy and back. I put more miles on it in a week than you did in its entire career LOL!
@@SanJosePlasticSurgery-DrVincen your bike is stunning regardless what other people think here with the comments I just wish it was my bike man it's beautiful... 😎😎😎🏍️🏍️🏍️💯💯💯💯
I rebuilt a Z-1(my fifth) in the early 1980's, and all of these "little things" were of no consequence. Re-lacing the wheels with stainless steel spokes? Uh-huh. Throw 'em out and get Lesters! Rust on the frame? Pulling the engine to fix the rust? Yeah, so what...It's out anyway. Tapered roller bearings for the steering head? Twelve bucks. And so on. By the way, when I put it all back together, it was a 1326-cc monster, and I loved that bike.
when I was a kid of like 13 or 14, there was some guy doing 140 mph on 1 of these. he was probably just cruising, having a good time.... ha, let the good times roll! any way, the police set up a road block to catch him. the local cop stopped at the local gas station to get gas in his amc police car. he told the owner of the station that was pumping the gas to HURRY UP! IM IN HOT PURSUIT! true story.
