1973 Kawasaki Z1900 "Bad News" Barn Find (SOLD)

We originally had plans for this bike as an unrestored everyday rider, until we discovered some troubles and had to go further. This and other KZbin project bikes will be featured at the Antique Motorcycle Club of America tent at Americade, June 6-10.

[@alanreilly9056]

Note, I live in Australia, and that is one great restoration, well done In the early 70's by friend bought a 1973 Z1 identical to your restoration bike and I bought a Honda 750/4 and we both rode many miles together on these bikes In 1978, I bought a Kawasaki Z1000ST model ( which was Kawasaki's shaft drive model, that also had a black engine ) I rode to Tasmania on that bike and many other places around Australia Those were the days!

[@UweJMeyer]

Sir,the only word for your doing such fine restaurations is:" Respect", for you and your crew. Greatings from Germany 🇺🇸👍

[@danielstasek7807]

I had the 1973 750 H2. First bike I ever owned and learned to ride on. Bought the bike repo'd for $900 had 1500 miles on it. It was definitely not for the light at heart and not recommended as a starter bike. But, I was a car street racer and this was a WHOLE new animal. Memories.

[@postersm7141]

I just purchased a 2021Z 900 RS café. I never had a Z one but I’ve had many KZ‘s over the years and God I love these bikes!!! Thank you for restoring such a wonderful machine!!!

[@joebond5012]

Thank you for sharing the fantastic restoration of this wonderful old bike. We’re living in bleak times at the moment and need videos like this as a temporary diversion from depressing news.

[@ronaldwhite5887]

Great work, it’s a beautiful classic.

[@jamesb.9155]

We hope it's still being loved and taken great care of by whoever the new owner is, the same way you guys did!

[@rickydee5863]

I was standing outside a bike shop back in 72 and a Kawasaki 900 pulled up. It was like a space ship had landed. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Beautiful styled bike. Went like cut cat to

[@scottyharrington164]

Again another nice conclusion to a piece of history. These 70s bikes get my juices flowing since I was born in September of 68. I am old enough to actually remember these bikes when they were brand new. The only downfall was my dad and uncle both had brand new Honda's. My uncle Philip had a cb 750 and my dad had a cb 350 that he only put 4200 miles on and dropped going over wet railroad tracks in Columbus Ohio. He never road a bike again. And all's it did to the bike was bent the left turn single and made s slight skuff mark on the front fork. He gave me the bike on my 16th birthday and I thought I was to cool. But as time went on I became more attractive to kaws. The rest is history. And kudos to this build. I like your attention to detail. Nice bike!

[@ddilink]

Absolutely beautiful job, Congratulations!

[@mikemace2322]

I was 11 years old when a dude bought a rootbeer one 2 blocks down the hill from my house. He put a 4 into 1 kerker exhaust on it( LOUD ). Everybody knew when he was going home cause he would round the corner in 2nd or 3rd and crack it open and ride a wheelie at least a block. It is my childhood dream bike and still is today.. thanx for sharing

[@Turco949]

I really enjoy motorcycle restore videos, definitely gives me the inspiration and motivation I need badly to continue working on mine. Thanks for the upload!

[@sgtgrash5280]

The love, care and attention lavished upon this motorcycle is there for all to see, thank you for keeping the dream alive. Wonderful!

[@vintageprolink]

Love these 70's to late 90's Japanese bikes, retro, trail, motocross, custom, superbikes,cruisers! Odd few 90's to present. The best! 70's to late 80's!😀

[@philjackson519]

Thoroughly enjoyable watching all the real enthusiastic bike mechanics turn this 1973 barn find into it,s former glory to live again ,Thank you everyone .

[@jimbilton1956]

Very informative . Good to see workmanship of such a high standard.

[@ronniec8038]

Excellent work on this bike. Sure nuff a beauty.

[@edtuller2537]

You Guy's did a GREAT JOB !!!! Thank's for bring back all the memory's I Bought my First Bike in 1979 been riding ever since ! I am restoring a 1983 Honda GL650I

[@948ccm]

What a lovely, restored bike! 😍 Keep up the good work guys! Love all your videos about restorations of Kawasaki Z models!

[@cupdejello]

these are great videos for us classic bike nuts. I hope more people start finding this.

[@Johnnysvintage]

Glad you enjoy them. We do what we can without a camera crew in a busy full-service shop. So it gets challenging at times!

[@David-ng7mi]

That is one of the most beautiful motorcycle designs I've ever seen. And the engine sounds like perfection.

[@cecilwilson5442]

I live in northern Ireland and at 19 had an a4 moriwaki 998 with smooth bore 29mm mikuni cars in my mid 20s had a us z1 like your one nowadays these motorcycles are worth big money specially standard took me back great video thanks for sharing it with us 👍🍀I'm 53 now

[@markdunbar8219]

Loved watching this fantastic job you guys did on this classic z1 900 greetings from 🇬🇧

[@johnowen9299]

Some people restore works of art with a cotton bud and some solvent. And then there are the people that restore works of art that take more than that. An absolute pleasure Sir, beautiful bike, beautiful rebuild, beautiful vid to go with it x

[@donaldwoodford824]

Blast form the past and what great work you are doing, always loved these Bikes. Great videos big fan of your channel. Don from Texas

[@pisksix7976]

For a moment, when you started the bike, I was back in 1973.....

[@jcat5972]

Pisk Six Me too. They could hurt you quickly. But I hate to think about our age. Memories.

[@Johnnysvintage]

It's trippy!

[@mebeasensei]

I was too young, but would did the Z1 steal some of the H2 market when it arrived in ‘73？Or was it a different kind of market altogether?

[@p6x2]

@@mebeasensei Nah.... this is the thing. Back in these days, there was two schools. Those advocating "pierced cylinders", or the others, with their "valved engines". I was in the first category! and to be honest, I would still be if the offer of two strokes engines had not died. I still remember my first ride on the H2... even if I was prepared from the Mach3. I don't think I have ever experienced that kind of sheer pleasure ever again... It was probably comparable to someone having reached the summit. But don't sweat it, get a Z1. Two strokes are no longer at ease in today's environment...

[@chrisriddiford6216]

@@Johnnysvintage Chris Riddiford

[@iivaridark6850]

Really nice, lots of work done first class! Thanks, it's joy to watch!

[@jamespowell6630]

Nice. Take it for thrash and stop pissin round.

[@jjstewart2120]

Lovely jubbly friend. I used to own a Z1B .twin front disc.rear drum ect.nice super detailed rebuild. Good viewing.:) appreciated

[@PetesClassicCycle]

Awesome job! A barn find 73 Z would be a dream. Currently working on restoring my Dad's original 1 owner Z1. Keep up the great work guys!

[@MrPepper312]

Purchased mine new in 73 as a skinny 19 yr old only have previously driven a Yamaha 180 and a Honda 350 scrambler. Man I was on top of the world. Best times of my life.

[@rolandgutierrez813]

Johnny and Hilo , thank you so much for sharing with us your restore barn find ! such a Gorgeous 73 900 omg , would love that bike for my collection !

[@YTjndallas]

Sounds fantastic!!!

[@FSAUDIOGUY]

Rode one of these when I was sixteen...it scared the crap outta me! They were a beast! Super job on the refurbish!!

[@jamesplumb5296]

what a beautiful classic..loved the video start to finish. not such a bad news bike more bad ass. lol. Thanks for sharing.

[@Johnnysvintage]

Well, shoot. That would have been a better title! Thanks for watching!

[@josephjakubec9584]

Well done, beautiful.

[@gerryclohessy9657]

Thanks for showing the bike in such detail, the end result is outstanding. Appreciate your time in filming the process you and your crew went through. Enjoy many miles on your beautiful bike. Gerry.

[@steelwheels327]

WOW!! FANTASTIC !!

[@davidlisney2597]

Beautiful, must be a very long time since I had a ride on a Z1B.

[@JBO3022]

My god, it's beautiful.

[@Johnnysvintage]

We get the zinc done in Akron,ohio

[@chrisriddiford6216]

@@Johnnysvintage Chris Cal

[@chrisriddiford6216]

@@Johnnysvintage Chris Riddiford Call 📞

[@Grizzlygeorg]

Awesome video! Thank you so much!!

[@dwightpenn9475]

Awe-some work, Love the bike.

[@johnra1269]

Reminds me of my old Honda CX 500. Stolen over 25 years ago, I still have the title and the key. Awesome rebuild.

[@22kawa]

Great bike what a gem!!Love it all the way!!

[@pdbordelon]

I have a 2018 Z900rs and must I enjoyed this video - nice restore!

[@hootiekai]

i had one in the day. Great Bie for the time. Really enjoyed it.

[@ericleclerc3379]

Thanks for the video loved it

[@protestnikvorgon2698]

I love my Z1f since I bougth it in 1990 in serious condition. Hope for this bike, it will be in original good condition back in the road again👍🍀 Greeting from Berlin, Germany 🙋‍♂️

[@andygoodwin7653]

A thing of beauty once again

[@dougsnider8780]

I owned two LTD 1000's. A 1978 and a 1980 the last year for that model with the duckbill tail. My brother in law has the 1980.... sold it to him for $500 16 years ago, it's still all original!

[@rainergimenez4022]

Beautiful restoration.

[@garycrisp429]

Love seeing your superb restorations. You're always interesting, know your history and you've totally converted me to the Kawasaki Z1. My favourite Motorcycle is the 1980/81 GSX1100E in Silver with the Green Stripe. It's an extremely rare bike. The Suzuki GS 750 & later GS750E are great bikes too, but you've definitely helped me to understand the appeal of the Z1. It's like finding an early Sandcast Honda CB750, the Z1 was clearly way ahead of it's time.

[@phihelix8777]

Wow! Beautiful bike. Great work.

[@easterboc1]

man .....that is a thing of beauty

[@richie9777]

I can only dream of owning a Z1 fantastic work you are true pro,s well done thanks for showing us your work

[@ginnymeacham7162]

Richard Powell . I have a 73 z1, a 75 z1e, drag bike only, and a 77 kz 1000. All EXCPTIONAL COND. THE 73 HAS 637 ORIGINAL MI. IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT????

[@Vizual_Racing]

@@ginnymeacham7162 That's awesome, I have a 72 Z1 that was given to me by my dad. It's almost 100% original, few things I needed to change out. The gas cap as well as the seat and the grips have been changed. Also I need to replace the tail light and the headlight but I replaced them with parts off my dads other z1. He had (2) 72 Z1's and a 73.

[@raphaelandrews3617]

I agree you turned that into a showroom model. Great Job.

[@YTjndallas]

Richard Powell You don’t have to only dream. Change your negative attitude into faith and put that faith into action. Example: I ran into a FB acquaintance from High School who has offered me a 1963 Z1 project for only $200. Cones with an extra tank and extra parts. Dropped in from nowhere!!

[@ross5506]

@gemini232003 I had as my first bike new 1975 H1 500. Now am being a trader after buying all big bore Kawasaki's till my 2015 H2 , seeling it for 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R, amazing bike for us old power hungry rider's. Top electronics package, huge amounts torque, amazing job detail, and the seating position really sold me.

[@Ultra54able]

Well done! Beautiful bike!

[@spotsterjon74cu]

Great stuff. Thanks for showing a beautiful bike, an even bigger thank you for passing on the knowledge, e.g. Hollow camshafts. If Hilo wants to come to the UK he is welcome to give my Z1B a quick check over. Thanks againJon

[@Johnnysvintage]

I'll pass that along!

[@mumbler5644]

great restore guys

[@tahirusman5929]

Fantastic find and an even more amazing restoration!Japanese bikes are the best ever Used to own a Ke100 and a Ke 175

[@tonybrossman7198]

Beautiful! Love it!

[@klrmoto]

That is so much fun watching. I had a 1976 KZ900 and I think they are still the best looking bikes ever. That was all such a long time ago.

[@storidiot1]

hi,thanks for video :-) and all the others you made :-) very very interesting :-) i seen all your videos lot of time,im from Norway and got a 1974 z1a totally restored,i love this bikes.hope to see more project from yours :-)

[@Johnnysvintage]

We hope to keep doing them, and making improvements. It's amazing what you can do with an iPhone. Thank you for your interest in our projects!

[@ajllemm]

I bort a Z900 in 1975 after seeing the movie STONE a Australia icon movie what a bike at the time the cops had only Honda’s 750 not that I tried to evade them not much your blog bourght back fond memories 👍🏼🇦🇺

[@troycrowder9942]

nice work Jimmy fine work you do top of the chart

[@buddieluvsu]

Awesome Job!!

[@davidleland8729]

Nice restoration! Great bike!

[@somerandomguy3868]

Thanks this brought back some memories, in 1986 I bought my first Street legal motorcycle I was 23 it was that very bike it was 13 years old 525# dry 86 HP it took a 340$ tune-up. This world class motorcycle, the fastest production Street legal four stroke in the world back in 73 I learned pretty quick to have it pointed in the right direction when I set it off, what a hotrod! I loved that bike somewhere on it possibly the name plate it should say Kowasakie heavy metal industries, I kept it till 92 and sold to a friend of mine. Great job with this bike, as I recall the choke lever on mine was on the left grip operated with the thumb and it would not start cold without some choke great video

[@Perusalstein]

Z1 choke lever is located left of the carbies. H2 Mach IV has a thumb choke lever on the throttle, marked 'S'.

[@kimdoss1868]

Great delivery of a full rebuild of my bike Kad

[@llewvirtue861]

Love your work that is exactly how I would built my z, mach 3 lay it all out in order on a blanket 62 now my last build I am doing 79 z CBx six Honda, love your work

[@Johnnysvintage]

Keep on keeping 'em out there. Thanks for watching!

[@johnbelcher7164]

Beautiful the memories

[@ross5506]

Yep had new 1975 H2 750, should keep it their worth a mint today.

[@jamesdamron2065]

Love your bikes,,,even when you just clean some of them up. Their beautiful

[@saloader3290]

FYI...cross head screws are NOT Pozidrive...they are JIS , a Japanese pattern, close to positive but JIS drivers are available. I only learned this myself after 40 years of biking so we all got something to learn I guess :-)

[@Randall974]

Beautiful bike! Great job on the restoration. I had a green 1974 Z1 900 that I bought with 1200 miles on it. Of course, that was in 1974 or 1975, but a really great bike any day. I'd give my eye teeth for it now (if I had any)...

[@vstrom9586]

Beautiful job on a beautiful bike

[@paulh.5691]

You do know how to make people envious!! But my experience with these new Conti tyres is, they wear fast. And I only use them on a non- tuned XS650.

[@JV-up6tc]

Love the shape of the tank and gauges. Brings back memories of smoking a couple of those on my 72 H2 750 Triple I bought with only 4,300 miles on it! I put Denco expansion chambers in it with stage 2 porting done by a Yamaha RD/TZ expert down in the South Bay Area of Los Angeles. When just warm, I could pull power wheelies in 3rd gear while doing close to 100 MPH and ride it almost to 125 MPH! When the front wheel would touch down it sounded like a jet plane touching down. I'll admit, a knowledgeable rider on the Z1 could just about keep up to me off the line and take me at speeds over 100......Z1 is a really nice bike.

[@scottm101]

great videos im hooked great job alaround

[@dwartfarquart9590]

Wow, watching Jonny Bova on you tube while watching Antiques Roadshow, fb pm ing with Tom Morgan's sister and texting with Andy McRoberts. Nice production Johnny. Hope to see you Ohio dudes sometime soon.

[@sedge5940]

Love the dog pooping at 28:58...a superstar!

[@Johnnysvintage]

Sedge, you're awesome to point that out.. that's Hilo's dog, "Cha-Cha." We've stepped in her piles a number of times while trying to shoot the bikes... She's our "Pooperstar!"

[@sedge5940]

Just having fun. Great work! I owned the "rival", a '70 CB 750. @@Johnnysvintage

[@KevinJohnson-fx6wq]

Very nice job on that bike. You were also very thorough in your detailed explanations of what you did to the bike. I just purchased a 1982 Yamaha 920 Virago for $650. Its in in decent shape and will be painting the tank and assorted parts plus a lot of polishing. Thanks for the tip on not painting the top rim of the tank. Not sure I would have thought of that. One friend says ' Just ride it', but I have to put a new starter on it that came with it and clean up the carbs as he had noticed some bluing on the new Jardine pipes and had put bigger jets in the carb without cleaning it. Right now I'm waiting on a factory Yamaha manual I found on ebay from a guy in New Zealand for $70. I also have a Haynes manual, but prefer factory. Its been a while since I've had a bike. Only had 2 previous bikes, a 1972 Honda 500-4 and then a 1981 Suzuki GSEX, a bit of a difference. I've been warned of the shaft drive having a bit of a torque pull to the right on the rear. Just have to see how it goes and take my time making sure its as safe as possible. Thanks for sharing and I also subscribed due to your excellent skills on describing how you do things and why.

[@Limbwalker1000]

HEY JOHNNY......I love you vidz.....and I also love the blues music that you play in them....you rock bro...!!! Steve in ohio

[@MFP2241]

BEAUTIFUL.

[@hampshireoak]

Nice job well done.

[@davidtenhundfeld6815]

My neighbor had a 'Cow 9' way back in the day- the exhaust was 4 into1. I think it was a 'Kirker' brand muffler/exhaust system. Ohhh the noise it made...

[@Fireballsocal]

Have you ever seen a period aftermarket nylon or plastic sprocket used on these? I was told they run quieter with less rotating mass for quicker acceleration. Beautiful restoration on this Z1.

[@justinbradfield6499]

Keep ‘em coming Johnny !!!!! I got a 1980 Suzuki gs850g with only 10000 original miles man original paint and badges tank is clean and changed one thing ….. I replaced the quad carbs with Murray’s carbs mikuni vm34’s and when I cranked it for the first time the bike never ran better no more syncing they came pre jetted and has 5 times more torque and power

[@jimvanwinkle111]

Nice job.!

[@azguy8234]

That has got to be the most meticulously restored Z900 in existence.

[@haroldwitham2038]

said the word here!! 53 times in one min!!!! wow!!!

[@craigpennington1251]

It looks similar to my 73 Z1 I used to have. My tank cap was an unscrew type, not a latch type. The paint was an orange and rootbeer brown metallic and was totally different from what you show here. Also my engine was a full bright engine with no black parts. It was not altered in any way - straight from the dealership. I did however put Jardine 4 into 2 pipes on and a rear 5.20 tire. The bike handled much better with the fat & tall rubber out back.

[@gedcampbell8798]

What a guy.He loves these bikes!

[@danmoore3224]

1974 was the first year ! :) I was working for Kawasaki in 74 & 76

[@GeorgeBonez]

Bike is absolutely beautiful. I wish I could afford that restoration

[@anthonydsouza7174]

GREAT JOB JOHNNY'.

[@treeman7616]

Great Video!! Great work on restoring that Z1 back to it former glory. Takes me back to the 70’s when those things were zooming around most towns pissing the cops off! lol Great bikes and the power is there and if you’re not ready for it they will stand up with you in 3rd or 4th gear and bad things can happen if you’re not ready for it. Again Great Video! I’m going to subscribe to your channel and maybe I’ll be driving over from Indiana to pick my own bike sometime soon!

[@raybrensike42]

Have you ever ridden one?

[@treeman7616]

Yes I have! I rode a ‘73 and I rode a ‘76. The 76 was still fast but not like the early ones.

[@peterfallows6802]

love the Kawasaki whine 4-4

[@craigpennington1251]

P.S.S. This bike looks better than new. Outstanding job. Love to have one just like this. Kawasaki needs to start making them again. A super bike for around town and short trips or for rural areas where I live. Plus they are economical and just plain fun to ride.

[@rickjames4630]

What would a bike like this one cost restored? Very impressive build. You can tell all the love that went into restoring this bike.

[@crapalator]

amazing!!!

[@andreferro4618]

Great job. The only thing that is missing is a good synchronization, as you know... Greetings from Brazil! 1984 Kawasaki GPZ 900 R owner.

[@richardknott2021]

Great restore..