75 Kawasaki Z1 900 "THE Z1" Best Friend's Surprise Reveal

CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN... NICE, NICE, NICE...
This is an interesting story. Our customer brought this bike to us half disassembled and in boxes and carefully-labeled bags. Some parts purchased through Ebay in it's infancy; the type of NOS parts never to be seen again. Just as unreal is the story behind this surprise restore. The bike was "given" to our customer's best friend some 20 years or so ago, and he had been storing it for that "someday" project. Our customer had done his homework, researching different restoration shops and got himself on our waiting list. (We are about 2 years backed up in restoration work.) Finally the day came and he delivered his Z1 in boxes. Be sure to watch to the end where he brings his buddy with him to pick up the bike, not knowing it's THEIR Z1 they are picking up. We love stories like this, and are thrilled to be a part of this restoration.
"On the Road Again" soundtrack by: Karaoke Version and Tency Music
www.karaoke-version.com and www.tencymusic.com
www.johnnysvintagemotorcycle.com
stores.ebay.com/Johnnys-Vintag...

[@gorflunk]

His response was... subdued. I would have been dancing around like an idiot and would have Clark Kented into my leathers and been waiting at the end of the driveway, ready to go riding. Excellent work, she is gorgeous!

[@brianritzow4284]

Haha! That was his thought too after he re-watched it. He was almost too surprised.

[@eyalcr500]

I wouldn't dance, because I would've faint :-))) that's for sure ! wow it's like stepping out of a time machine !

[@gregd.88]

I graduated from high school in 1975. A friend and I rode our 75 Z1s from Ohio up to Maine then down to Flordia and back to Ohio. What a trip! The bikes didn't give us a bit of problem.

[@raymondpick4945]

Nice Bike DICH THE MASK 90% INEFFECTIVE.

[@leftymike8730]

Guys like Johnny and Heilo are treasures to the MC community! I hope their knowledge is being passed on to others

[@brianritzow4284]

Hilo is the best for sure!

[@robertbrandywine]

Their other mechanic, Kenny, is great too.

[@leftymike8730]

@@robertbrandywine not surprised, to turn out that kind of work it must take a helluva team

[@mikepapienuk1040]

This is THE best video on youtube. Oscar material.

[@toddjohnson3792]

You guys do fantastic work!! Restoring a work of art like this is just priceless. Keep it up guys.

[@marshallduvall4251]

Z1`s rode like a buckboard ! Everyone bought those double bucket seats they made riding a Z1 SOOO much better !

[@garycrisp429]

Japanese Motorcycles from about 1969 to 1983 were just superb. Your Z1 work is so meticulous, it's another world for me but I truly respect the craft you do at Johnny's.

[@LesWG5]

Another fabulous job, Johnny. Heilo is amazing😎

[@LordHolley]

Wow, that bike turned out amazing. 2 year waiting list, Clearly your work is in demand.

[@davidanderson4500]

this is the best vid you have ever made in my opinion...............brill.

[@Bobby-fj8mk]

Hi Johnny - the customer would have to be happy with that. Yes - it would be beyond the capability of most people do such a good job.

[@iivaridark6850]

Great video of a great bike! Normally I do not like music with videos but this time I will happily accept because my all time favorite Canned Heat and On The Road Again and Alan Wilson... Thanks!

[@Johnnysvintage]

Fair enough!

[@YTjndallas]

I love how Johnny says, “I’m no expert, but…” the numbers are 4-digit, so 78-79 LTD or CSR. Lol! Very humble, Johnny. You know you’re the expert!!

[@64faffi]

Stunning. Just stunning.

[@Stratocastering]

Nothing beats that sound…. Big fan, Thank you so much!!

[@philipstubbs2432]

That's not a basket case, that's a picnic smorgasbord of treasures. Wonderful work and great way to show the guy's the bike 😊

[@tomfolkes4997]

"pretty nice motorcycle, actually" then starts it up and it sounds like a new bike....... which it is, "actually". When these first came out, I had a CB750 Honda, which I loved. The Z900 was the only motorcycle that made me want something else. Now, at 80 years old, I'm selling my H-D and looking for something more like one of these great 70's standard Japanese bikes that were soooo capable but still minus all of today's hi-tech googaws that only drive up the prices. Wish me luck with my search. Great job Johnny!

[@Johnnysvintage]

Thank you very much. Nice story to share

[@aryaamit]

Fantastic clinical work!!

[@mohawkdriver4155]

Pistons in little velvet bags...YES, PLEASE! If I ever get my hands on one of these, I want YOU to work it up to a bike like this one.

[@kalaharimine]

Very Nice! Well done Johnny & team.

[@YTjndallas]

Johnny’s makes it look so easy. Since watching from 44:00 I’m sure I could build this bike in fifteen minutes. 🤣 I love this channel for years! ✌🏻😃👍🏻

[@jsrroadrash3663]

Looks beautiful your team does steller work.👍

[@simon2knine]

One of the best looking bikes ever..

[@beepbop6697]

Very nice job restoring the Z1. Gorgeous.

[@tekman196]

My dad owned one of theses in the early 70’s . One of my top 5 bikes ever made !

[@harrypalmer7169]

Stunning.

[@spaceshuttle1]

Just amazing.

[@billbalyx8799]

I had a 1976 KZ900, brown, my favorite Z was the 1975 in this blue colour, beautiful

[@steveh2544]

Ace 👍 Beautiful motorcycle. One of your best videos.

[@kerryjacks5934]

Beautiful bike!!

[@gelfyd1]

WowzA. Hilo did an amazing job. I hope to stop by the shop sometime later this summer!

[@trevorshrosbree6731]

Beautiful bike, amazing work

[@williamhaynes2392]

Beautiful

[@sll-tt6bj]

That's one beautiful bike

[@andrewmillard5326]

Oh wow this is one heck of a gorgeous motorcycle Brian , boy arm I jealous 😍 👍

[@colt2206]

It’s beautiful

[@garywhite6900]

squeal is from those brake pads that have copper... change them out and smile. :)

[@colt2206]

Awesome job

[@isaacpulido9134]

Jaw dropping

[@rickdelouise6447]

WOW very nice!!

[@colintaylor2305]

Unbelievable, what a fantastic job such a classic bike, I would love that bike to be mine,

[@Serpico1152]

This brings back strong memories for me in the beginning of the video between 0:02-0:11 I had a 1975 Z-1B exactly like the front left one and kept it stock until the early '80s then transformed it to look much like the one in the back row with a black imron paint job, LTD seat, LTD handle bars, RC Engineering 4 into 1 header, a wider 5.10 rear tire, Andrews coils, replaced points with electronic ignition, K & N air filter, and it was a awesome bike until I sold it in 1992.

[@joehovanec1985]

That bike looks just like my New 1975 Kawasaki 900, with blue paint and the gold stripes. That bike went too fast to easily. I won the few races that some foolish people wanted to run that bike. I sold it to a friend of mine after 2 months. I don't know if I'd be around today if had kept it. Generally speaking about the bike, it was a nice big bike, good looking, felt reliable enough to go anywhere without any worries. They really are a nice bike if you can drive them sensible, I just wasn't able to drive it sensible. Good luck with that 1975 Kawasaki 900. It sure looks good. You do very nice work and help keep them going.

[@tracywilliams1987]

Very Good job nice bike!

[@Coleman94a]

Nice KZ900 glistening over there!

[@Saxondog]

Z1A had the best paint job and retained the original 900 decals from the Z1...In mho.😊

[@uk6928]

Love your vids. Warm regards from Germany🧑‍🔧

[@chriswhotton7056]

Looks mint I've the same bike love it , debating to get 4 into 4 exhaust as I have a Harris 4 into 1 cheers Chris

[@krystalstarrett6760]

Go fast, go anywhere, Let the Good Timez Roll. Happy Independence day!

[@marshallduvall4251]

If you are going to run the weisco kit ! You better get that crank welded !

[@edgardodanielwitt105]

Hola! Excelente vídeo!!! Es el que mas me gustó de la Z1r,porque se ve que están haciendo un muy buen trabajo y haciendo escuchar en marcha el motor,si quieren vean el video de cuando estoy poniendo en marcha mi Kawa hace muchos años con problemas en el múltiple de escape,lo buscan así...Kawa 1000 de Daniel Witt,es de mala calidad la imagen porque fue filmado con uno de los primeros teléfonos con cámara, saludos desde Cordoba Capital-Argentina.

[@bljuhl1345]

Kawasaki Z1 900 is a tough bike! I owned one and it did everything from around town to back roads blasting to drag racing to wheelie popping did it all, attest to Kawasaki Heavy industries! Wished i never sold my Z1 B, Kawasaki could sell brand new ones today, just upgrade the ignition system and utilize two spark plugs per cylinder, leave it as is otherwise.

[@chelton87]

I’m currently restoring a 77 KZ 1000 it was # 318 off the assembly line in Japan

[@Stratocastering]

I would really love to see and hear your opinion reviewing the new Kawasaki Z900rs 😊

[@marshallduvall4251]

My Z1 was that color ! 1975 Z1b !

[@russcattell955i]

Would be interesting so see a dyno run once it is run in. More power & torque than stock, but how much ?

[@joan4906]

Grrrrrrrrreat video!

[@greggstankowski5073]

I was always into speed, I had a 72 H2 triple when the Z1 came out,,happy to step up to a faster bike, not to mention a 4 stroke and a little safer , that fucking 750 2 stroke was a bear to handle,,man I miss them both

[@joesemansmmr41]

You're lagend man..i feel regret dont buy same motorcycle back then after my yamaha got stole in 2007..back then i buy my yamaha for 8000.but now the price go to 30 000-50 000..

[@brentfellers9632]

I literally lol , that free bike has cost a lot over the years 😅

[@vitocannone3271]

This bike is for sale ?

[@redtobertshateshandles]

They look great and are super reliable but they represent the word heavy really well too. To look at yeah, to ride, no. I didn't see the see efforts to lift that engine off the pickup or fit the motor into the frame.

[@Johnnysvintage]

They are worth the lift. 73-78 z1 kz are in their own world

[@BugsWisely]

Those shocks got bent right before the "buddy" took the thing all apart?

[@brianritzow4284]

He never took it out... was not running when we got it! The shocks were a purchase from EBAY... so can't blame him

[@BugsWisely]

@@brianritzow4284 I was bein' an ass. Sure turned out good whatever the case.

[@brianritzow4284]

@@BugsWisely ;) all good. If I could have pinned it on him, I would have! LOL

[@billmago7991]

You say zee900 we say zed900.....if you're into them get the Aussie cult movie Stone 🇦🇺

[@YTjndallas]

Wearing a mask while riding a bike in the open air? 🤪

[@paulames5291]

why are the carbs that color ? thanks.

[@Johnnysvintage]

Not sure , that is how they came to us

[@brianritzow4284]

That is how ZResto restored them.

[@paulhewson4600]

Very hard to find mechanics that can tear into an old 70's bike and rebuild it with his eyes closed,,,lost art everything now is remove and replace

[@user-gr2eq3ks4d]

Hello can i get one of these bike, well in need, please

[@Johnnysvintage]

yes it is possible

[@user-or9qm7kj4s]

一台売って欲しいくらい^_^

[@steenfuglsangjespersen8620]

Beautiful bike beautiful👍🏻 ❤love from🇩🇰Denmark🇩🇰

[@YTjndallas]

Wow. Y’all are still wearing those masks up there? 😳🙄😳

[@jaygoodwin5809]

I don't understand sheep 😅 god bless Florida 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@user-vp6wr2dp6n]

このクラスの美車なら日本では軽く500万を超えますそれにたがの資金をかけてカスタムする人が多くいます。

[@marshallduvall4251]

I know you want it stock look . But GET RID OF THAT DRUM BRAKE its WORTHLESS ! The kit to switch to rear disc is an easy change so much safer.

[@rjmac123456]

Why are you wearing masks?

[@Johnnysvintage]

It was covid time

[@brianritzow4284]

was covid when I dropped it off. and when I picked it up Johnny was coincidently recovering from Covid and just being cautious... perhaps also to keep a straight face ;)

[@davekintz7170]

Why are you wearing a mask outside?

[@Johnnysvintage]

covid had just started

[@KINGSBLACKBELT]

Take the silly mask off... nice bikes

[@nutscratchermag58]

Stoped watching as soon as I seen the masks 😷

[@brianritzow4284]

🙄

[@jaygoodwin5809]

Yeah I'm done with this sheep bull shit fk libtard crap enjoy your vaccine pure blood here nice bike do you want to sell before your blood clot???