73 Z1900 Kawasaki "RAWHIDE"

This is a very early Kawasaki Z1900 that came to us in boxes all the way from Nebraska in the back of a pickup truck. We like to name our project bikes, and sometimes it's funny how the names come about. As we were unloading the truck, the customer's phone kept ringing, what we thought at first was the theme from Rawhide. Well that stuck and it we all grew to like it. The video also features a time lapse segment of the re-build. We're fortunate to have the opportunity to work on this early bike and resurrect it. As it turns out, the ringtone was actually "Ghost Riders in the Sky."
Wishing you many miles of safe and happy riding, Mike from Nebraska!
(Audio beginning and end tracks with permission by Tency Music)

[@ellobo4542]

Johnny brought back my 1979 750 KAW I bought new. It sat for years, he got it running again in 2018 . I later had him work on my 2015 750 street Harley Davidson I purchsed off craigs. Johnnny does it all ! Great work! Great Guy !

[@thierrydargent7544]

Amazing. Probably one of the top five most beautiful motorcycles ever made in my opinion anyway

[@MrVinylJunkie]

Why would anybody want to own or ride a Harley when these are around beats me ??? Awesome Bike ...Keep Up The Good Work !!!

[@hankjones2975]

I have a Harley street bob and a kz 900. Trust me the Harley is 10 times easier to ride.

[@rayobrien4274]

what a fantastic job you have done on this beautiful Z1900 it’s better than when it came out of the shop in Japan well done those men 👏👏👏👏.

[@afenijmeijer9027]

Beautiful job on that early Z1. Very desireable. Could not believe that the owner had let it deteriorate to the point where it needed this rebuild, but at least it looks like it did when it was new, I own a 1976 Z900 with 101000 miles on the odometer. I have owned the bike from new, January 1976 . It is unrestored , never been crashed, still has the original paint and still runs like it was new. However, because of the age and mileage modifications have been forced to be made. Electronic ignition, Kerker stainless exhaust which has been on the bike since 1980, Akront rims ,Hagon rear shocks and 530 chain and sprockets. I have maintained the bike myself. i still have the original toolkit and manual which came with the bike as well as a lot of the original parts. I live in South Africa. This bike has made me a lifelong Kawasaki fan. I also own a ZX 11 Ninja or ZZR 1100 D as it was called here.

[@tremayne3]

To me -and I said to me- Kawasaki bikes are at another level. The best bikes.

[@Sabastianspreadworth]

Look what you can have if you've got the money. Love that bike.

[@22kawa]

This master mechanic is a genius!!

[@g0fvt]

I haven’t even been on a Z1 for about 40 years but this series badly makes me want one...

[@simonclark8176]

Haha ..same with me too , but i ended up with a Harley Dyna WG .... living the dream again ^^

[@g0fvt]

Simon Clark, our tastes differ but enjoy what you want!

[@bsimpson6204]

Yea, me too, I'd have to sell the house

[@jimclarke1108]

Exactly the same here

[@Checkism]

Had one just like this back in the mid 80's loved it!

[@llewvirtue861]

You never let me down Johanny, I knew you would not let a little flu or cold stop you driving that

[@raybrensike42]

They really are a nice-looking bike as original.

[@robertbrandywine]

A beautiful, beautiful job, Johnny!

[@unclequack5445]

No one save the factory knows these bikes better than Johnny.

[@dennisfroud5763]

Great story, a Z1 being restored for the original owner, I bet that doesn’t happen very often.

[@martinstevenson7462]

Fantastic job Johnny love your videos

[@tysoncott7402]

That thing turned out perfect! like that its low vin#/early production runs.

[@battleshipnewjerseysailor4738]

I generally have owned shaft drive bikes; BMW R75/5 and R90s, Yamaha XJs, Kawasaki KZ 1300, but I am drooling over those early Z1s

[@tedecker3792]

In 73 I bought the first Z1 in my state, and in 79 traded it for a 79 KZ1000ST (shaft drive).

[@j.rothchild173]

Hats down to that Oriental dude! He is a perfectionist!

[@BugsWisely]

Already all took apart! Just plain kick ass work.

[@ambersmith6517]

WOW WOW WOW what a story!! PURE GOLD!

[@64faffi]

Thank you so much for sharing so much material with us rather than editing it down to short video - highly appreciated!!!

[@jamesb.9155]

One great show going over every piece of that old bike in old broken boxes with the original owner present and one of the best and most enthusiastic period Kawasaki 900 experts around, oohing & awing the whole time! Sure was a messy basket case though... (ND Nippon Denso) The attentions to details during the updates to the owner impress! Awesome to behold the final product.

[@patrickloughridge2420]

And ANOTHER great Z1 resto by Johnny and crew! Very impressive, you guys are "da best!" Great back story with original owner too.

[@jamesferdinand2635]

Wow, loved that restoration.... my friends dad had one years ago and I have always wanted one...

[@josephgale5933]

wow ....great restoration johnny

[@philipstubbs2432]

Hi there 😊 thank you for taking the time to share your work ! You guys are to be commended in the resurrection of The Timeless Zeds ! The work that is done & the level of detail is fantastic

[@ajblundell]

a work of art. i am a 1974s baby and my dad always had one of these.special memories

[@MBIKES21]

Great job.

[@Wootangtw]

Awesome bikes I had one almost exactly like the green KZ back in 1979....

[@jimdent351]

Amazing restoration!

[@willhoggard645]

Amazing!

[@Jake-ty4bs]

nice job, like to see these old bike brought back to life

[@dezrat]

Beautiful bike!!!

[@adlodewijkx7894]

Like always, great job! Looks like it just came out of the factory.

[@richie9777]

Johnny you are the Z1 GOD.....

[@anxietydude1044]

Perfect and i satisfy of all your videos. Greets from Brunei Darussalam.. Borneo.

[@Johnnysvintage]

Thanks, Judin

[@johanzh2550]

A masterpiece

[@drn6073]

Very nice Johnny looks factory fresh lovely build 👍

[@startmeup5156]

It's so amazing watching you restore these motorcycles. It makes me want to get rid of my modern sport bike for a classic like these Kawasaki Z1's and KZ's

[@ramishrambarran3998]

It may be cool to look at, but is a terrible handler by modern standards.....cornering, suspension and brakes !! Just keep it in your living room where it belongs !!Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies.

[@bobbyoz8251]

Beautifull!

[@tommyruff1286]

Fair dinkum muscle bike , right there. Beautiful.

[@GuitarPimp01]

....... absolutely awesome !!

[@salvatorelodico5956]

Stupenda moto ; esteticamente bellissima bravissimi questi signori che con la loro professionalità e passione l'hanno portata a nuova vita. Una nota ! Le moto degli anni 70 avevano un fascino particolare tutto loro ; cosa che non vedo in quelle attuali pur essendocene molte pure belle.

[@markdunbar8219]

Fantastic work you guys do see you have a ninja master mechanic working for you 😁👍🏻🇬🇧

[@rodgercostello9814]

Gorgeous bike, takes me back my first ever large bike i rode was a z1000 and to this day never forget it i got the bug lol went on to have all large bikes as a result. Beautiful job.

[@juliangedzierski2546]

What a buitifull bike !

[@cavscout62]

Man you do Fantastic Work Johnny, it’s Great to see the results of a True Craftsman. Beautiful Z1.

[@honestjohn6222]

Sounds great

[@jeffrey3498]

Fabulous! 😎👍

[@calvincooley1074]

My neighbor has his bought new 73 Z1 in this same color. He still rides it with over 225k miles on it.

[@tremayne3]

Wonderful ! !

[@waltertodd4281]

Beautiful job on redoing the Kaw!

[@daniellang6112]

simply great job guys! next do a 1980 z1-r d3 model!

[@calvincooley1074]

My neighbor up the street has a 73 Z1900 that he bought new and it has over 225k miles on it. Head was removed in 74 to put in hardened valve seats.

[@Stephen.C.]

Hi Johnny, been looking forward to your latest video. Thanks for sharing, its been a while mate.

[@spaceshuttle1]

That was awesome!

[@jimclarke1108]

Engine runs perfect

[@aryaamit]

Literally brought this one out of the grave. Splendid job on this one .. too 👍. Did he really have the flu 😉 .

[@richardong2453]

Nice and the best

[@talldude5841]

better than new. I bet the build cost more than new too., LOL. Great video.

[@jacksunstone8771]

Cool, man.

[@buddieluvsu]

Wow

[@leonardomendez9839]

49:32 Perfect first!

[@ГеннадийНечетайло]

Молодцы.!золотые.руки.!!!

[@fireblade95]

Early z1s are collectors items now and an investment . I bet when he realised that the dollar bill signs were in his eyes 👀 .

[@philnox7734]

Johnny knows his onions used to have a z1a very good bike very quick bike soid to my mate to buy suzuki gt 750 water cooled in my eyes the best bike ever

[@fireblade95]

I've a z1 tool kit and az650 toolkit , sold the bikes , kept the kits! . GT 185 , loads . I sold the bikes kept the toolkits! Lol

[@ГеннадийНечетайло]

Мотоцикл..сказка.!!!.розовая.мечта.моей.юности.и.молодости.. kawasaki.z.1.900.!!!!

[@ГеннадийНечетайло]

Kosmos !!!

[@jeffrey3498]

You're a visionary Johnny. What would be just a pile of junk to most mere mortals you see poetry.

[@MartinDee2000]

How much time from _parts in a box_ , to what we see here at the end of the video? Amazing transformation.

[@Johnnysvintage]

About a year. Mike dropped this bike off to us in November of 2018 and came to pick it up in December of 2019. Keep in mind we have a waiting list and several bikes being worked on at any given day, in one stage or another of the process.

[@MartinDee2000]

@@Johnnysvintage Definitely worth the wait.

[@storidiot1]

great and very interesting video again :-) thanks a lot! you did a amazing job! where did you buy the tank body set?

[@winonabigbrownbeavereater2218]

hans he said he stole it off some bike. You can be sure he doesn't remember where or when.

[@ГеннадийНечетайло]

Выхлоп.двигателя.!!!адреналин.!!!класс.!!!

[@fireblade95]

I've never had a brand new bike , newest was a 5 month old Suzuki gt 185 . If I still owned it I suspect it would be in great condition . I'm restoring a 78 cd 175 honda . If I'd bought a z1 new in 73 and it was in that condition now I'd hang my head in shame.

[@chitown38]

Very nice bike. I am sure that bike would sell for well over $10,000. These are what I call a real sport bikes. Could you imagine a man in his late 60-70's riding a newer Kawasaki ninja sport bike? Those newer sport bike designers don't realize as you age, your body does not like being contorted into a crouched uncomfortable position. I rode my friends 2017 gsxr 1000 around the block a few times and that think was super uncomfortable, not sure how anyone could ride that bile more than 30 minutes.

[@honestjohn6222]

Great job, do you guys sell these bikes when completed

[@Johnnysvintage]

some times

[@KATHYMICHALSKI]

At auction This last year, a 1973 0 900 as pristine. Is the one that you just put together sold for a record? $50,000.00 Amen, 74' and 75' Z1s were going for about 16 to 20,000.

[@stephanomuzzatti4993]

Hey Johnny where do you get the original pipes ? NICE JOB !!

[@Johnnysvintage]

we sell them here at the shop

[@batterup4669]

I think Johnny speaks Kawasaki fluently.

[@garethmcnally5349]

fuck, n hell johnny he said it was slide down the road a couple of times...wary of stock head frame bent

[@Gmmaika]

Ich habe als Jugendlicher diese revolution erlebt, mehr Motorrad braucht es nicht. Der volle Sound der 4 in 4... Perfekte Form... Warum hat man das neue Jubiläumsmodell optisch nicht genau so gebaut????

[@Johnnysvintage]

Es ist nur einmal original und authentisch

[@jirinovotny9001]

How much the restoration cost?

[@Johnnysvintage]

15-20000

[@timmieperry5667]

Looking at a Avon Tire a little wider will this work

[@ericleger8158]

Did you reuse/reinstall the martek ignition?

[@Johnnysvintage]

No we usually don't reuse the ignition

[@ramishrambarran3998]

How did this bike end up in pieces ?.........in the pickup's tray ?

[@pauloga541]

johnny where did you gey all the parts? i need a moffler like that

[@pikobob3008]

hello there. i have a 73 z1 900. full bike ran when parked. i want to have it restored but cant find anyone to do it.

[@kiddcisco]

What did this Z1 sell for?

[@dennymcfastlane8530]

At 14:29 That's pretty funny, "these are not the best carburetors in the world". But yet he put over 90 thousand with those not so good carbs. 2:00

[@mrsrizuanzuan6863]

how much it cost to rebuilt again?

[@Johnnysvintage]

15-20k

[@berndl.5214]

👍

[@raymarroquin9609]

Johnny , at Johnny's Vintage Motorcycle in Ohio , I've been enjoying your work for I , don't know how long ! But , could you help educate me , the 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900 "RAWHIDE" Came too you looking very well condition from the unload but I'd like to know how much when it was said and done ? And , how many years past ? Two years , or 3 years ? Hoping you'll reply...Bravo...I tip my hat too you , and your crew....Fantastic work ! LL KOOL RAY 😎 FRISCO

[@genafazilov6926]

Джонни а сколько стоит сделать такой мотоцикл. Как он мне нравится. Первый раз увидел в фильме КАСКАДЕРЫ тоже хочу себе такой. Каскадеры /1977/драма, детектив

[@frankburns3810]

what he did with it ? he should had never have had it .

[@واديالرافدين-ع6ط]

احسنت صنعا

[@tommyruff1286]

Why did the owner strip the bike down to that extent ? Easy to pull something apart - different story putting it back together .

[@Johnnysvintage]

Things happen

[@ГеннадийНечетайло]

А.сколько.сейчас.в.хорошем.состоянии.стоит.?????!!!

[@joelikeskawasaki5215]

i have z1f-04561

[@mickbrown8249]

750cb was best EVER ..K1 K WAS special 750 cb better STILL ..I KNOW it

[@hankjones2975]

Buying a brand new bike and taking iy all apart. What is wrong with this guy

[@Johnnysvintage]

Things happen

[@lance8080]

HARLEY DAVISON only.