First start in 40 years - Kawasaki Z1B 900 engine

[@numbersix100]

The z1B is probably one best engines made by Kawasaki

[@StonyRC]

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.

[@mgqfashion]

Incredible ! Jesus man, you're fantastic !

[@saltysealion]

God bless

[@antonvrb1510]

This kind of genius is so utterly rare, i dare say its almost extinct. What a privilege just to witness Alan's work.

[@feolender2938]

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

[@Dave5843-d9m]

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.

[@glencasson9046]

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!

[@Sam_Green____4114]

Depends on the condition surely ? And whether it's been stored outside or inside !

[@glencasson9046]

@@Sam_Green____4114 Come on, just smile.

[@jonnycando]

@@glencasson9046 I’ve got an 89 Harley FLTCU……new carb, new ignition module…..she runs…..

[@ChrisP978]

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.

[@danweyant707]

Gave the carbs a quick wipe...( the thing a couple thousand guys get wrong )

[@brucelonsdale8422]

Engineering genius with a sense of humour.

[@Rondo2ooo]

By far, my favorite motorcycle engineering and fiddling channel. Unpretentious, humble, brilliant, calm, without annoying music. It has everything right!

[@AllenMillyard]

Thank you

[@henryjgray]

Love watching this man at work

[@classicraceruk1337]

Allen and Henry together what a pair of wonderful loonies.

[@davidharris5736]

The quiet ones are always the worst.

[@goodvibesglobal8453]

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😁

[@antonietilanus3395]

I couldn’t agree with you more.

[@Sam_Green____4114]

Has Henry Cole got a YT channel?

[@mrsilbo6499]

@@Sam_Green____4114 Yes

[@rb3166]

Gotta love the headless burbles! When the point cover was off, that was a really good sign.

[@tombailey6342]

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

[@keithwaite5026]

Yes , those z’s . My z1000 did 86,000 miles, bomb proof if looked after and stunning looking👍

[@bruces3613]

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.

[@Bellathebear777]

Made in Japan = ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@graxav]

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.

[@routmaster38]

@@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.

[@mikefarge3543]

Obviously one of the best engine designed in are times

[@martinduddridge329]

All those years playing with engines and still grins a proper schoolboy grin when one comes back to life.

[@ericgabriel4190]

Especially when he pulls the header pipes for a sound comparison!

[@Kingwoodish]

I'm still riding my 1975 Kawasaki Z1 900 with 140,000 miles. It has had maintenance and rebuilds as needed.

[@jayr6666]

The man is a genius, plain and simple.

[@a.bloke2.0alwayslearning.23]

Yes. The definition of 'Genius' is origin or original, and he has done LOTS of that. .

[@michaelhayward7572]

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.

[@a.bloke2.0alwayslearning.23]

@@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 ! .

[@michaelhayward7572]

@@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.

[@a.bloke2.0alwayslearning.23]

@@michaelhayward7572 Mmmm . . . . . . Sounds like FUN ! I LOVE demolishing those guys. .

[@TheHkluivert]

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!

[@sidewaysPT]

"The madness of Millyard" needs to be on a T-shirt.

[@AllenMillyard]

Yes :)

[@brianmurphy8790]

I concur. Mad Millyard needs merch.

[@brittenv1000]

I'd buy one

[@danweyant707]

Available via mail order, only.

[@bitzannbobz]

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.

[@garywinkworth3380]

your an absolute genius allen. . incredilble stuff you do. a pleasure to watch thankyou

[@TheDervMan]

Nice to see Henry making a guest appearance!

[@davidharris5736]

Makes a change , I usually see Allen as the guest on the motorbike show. If the general public only knew.

[@davecooper5951]

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...

[@MotoGoato]

Allen is a gentleman who attacks life with a mixture of extreme genius and somewhat eccentric enthusiasm .... he's a national treasure!! :)

[@harleyshrewful]

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

[@copperkipper1]

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.

[@reloading_and_gun_channel]

We all love Allen Millyard, That being said, the watch repair channel guy also deserves a mention for the calming aura !!!!

[@djwmunro]

2 David Munro’s agree that we love this channel.

[@reelsonwheels]

Just comes across like friendly Uncle Alan 😀

[@nickwhitney1534]

I live in Northamptonshire. This engine starting woke me up one Sunday morning.

[@AllenMillyard]

Ha ha

[@briangriffin928]

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

[@fidelcatsro6948]

and add another 3 cylinder to it!

[@GB-vn1tf]

@@fidelcatsro6948 only 3???? It looks perfect to make a V8 from to me.

[@fidelcatsro6948]

@@GB-vn1tf but 7 is unique!!

[@darrenmcwhiney3220]

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!😎👏

[@darrenmcwhiney3220]

@@fidelcatsro6948 he all ready did that! You didn't see his Z1 six cylinder? The blue one with the gold stripes? Beautiful motorcycle!👏

[@keithwaite5026]

The built proof 70’s Z series ... plus the legend Alan❤️👍👊

[@zivgolubovic803]

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. ❤️

[@flexjay87]

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 :)

[@chipperunder6887]

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

[@larrygreen8912]

I worked for Kawasaki in 74 . The 900 was advertised to top out at 154 mph and it would do that and more !

[@dilwyn1]

@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 !!

[@chrischappell9824]

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.

[@danweyant707]

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.

[@johnwilliamson5191]

KAW 900 brings back memories had one back in 77-78 a real beast.

[@tomrynkewicz7674]

This man truly loves what he does! A true genius and his knowledge of motors and fabrication are just out of this world!

[@carstenaagaard2825]

A day at the farm with Allen. Thanks for posting.

[@higgydufrane]

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....

[@43mackmobile]

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.

[@nickjanssens]

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.

[@ovenking4481]

You can tell this man found his calling. That engine was like a little hungry orphan before.

[@NoObligationToday]

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!!!❤️

[@hotelcharlie-six5408]

This guy’s knowledge and skill is incredible!

[@racekar80]

One of the best bike mechanic and fabricators washes engines on his back patio!

[@stratmister009]

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.

[@bobgoodman1451]

I wish you were my neighbor. I certainly would not complain!

[@trentmunn9486]

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.

[@boatlover2296]

I love that smile you get from the satisfaction of your love of motorcycles

[@mastercylinder1939]

You’ve laid hands on this engine, it has been blessed! All hail Millyard, the creator and saviour of all engines.

[@perrycalabrese3475]

I agree. Wonder if he could cast a long distance spell on my KZ750b twin and make it run.

[@mastercylinder1939]

@@perrycalabrese3475 you need to build a Millyard alter and make daily offerings.

[@bruceallen2862]

Thank you Mr Millyard. This brings back great memories of my bikin days. From Vancouver, BC. (Hollywood North) Cheers.

[@alextripp1230]

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.

[@davidsimpson105dB]

Brilliant ! Takes me back to the Z days of the 70s and 80s. Ive had 3 of these beasties...wish I still had them !!

[@bjrnhjjakobsen2174]

Life is When 50+ year Old guys looks like 12 year Old boys because of an engine makes fantastic NOISE😂

[@leafforever9174]

Amazing. Absolutely amazing. This man is a genius👌

[@johnthynne3265]

Three legends in one video. Millyard, Cole, and a Z1 lump. It doesn't get much better.

[@jeffdonovan7922]

Bloody brilliant Mr Millyard, I think you could breath life into any motor!

[@Doc_89]

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.

[@richardfryer1279]

Just watched this one again Allen love watching you work makes me smile.

[@stevensapyak7971]

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™️

[@roeng1368]

The big two strokes with the bendy frames, specifically designed to keep your bowels moving !

[@andyb7963]

They made a 900cc also but it was banned

[@bushratbeachbum]

@Andy b, did they?!

[@zahirudeenpremji8484]

There is nothing Mr Millyard cannot do. A true master. Well done sir.

[@lodgecav490]

Your neighbours should be paying to listen to this, Henry appreciated it for sure. Great stuff.

[@mark109s]

You sir are a Guru of old school motorcycles. Awesome video too!

[@onecookieboy]

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.

[@Bellathebear777]

Carefully = keep it inside 👍

[@fomavictorevitch]

An absolute delight, thank you very much Mr. Millyard.

[@jeffreyhurst9552]

One of the most beautiful engines ever produced...

[@TubeBrowser2]

Wonderful brilliant bike loving man showing us how to fix stuff. Great video...AGAIN! Thanks Allen! Well Pleased!

[@brianpaige4884]

Nice to see my second hero Henry.... what a pair of stars.

[@danb.3397]

That is the most emotion I've seen out of dozens of his videos

[@markchenvoiceover9689]

Makes a call on a rotary dial phone. Classic!

[@bthomasx]

The man is amazing 👍👍🙏

[@simoncarney9944]

Absolutely incredible! And the grin on your face was an absolute picture! Many more of these please Allen! 😃

[@eadjh98]

Nice one Allen! You make it look so easy! Easier than crochet! Great video 👍

[@scottw550]

That motor will make a great addition to a stock Z1B 900 collector bike. The Kawasaki Z1B 900 are like gold in Japan

[@derekcollins1972]

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.

[@scottw550]

@@derekcollins1972 Yup, the dealers here used to buy them and ship them back to Japan.

[@derekcollins1972]

@@scottw550 Yes.Its a shame really but I get it.

[@sitarnut]

Rotary phone....Sweet... still have ours from the 1950's...

[@markhensley9378]

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.

[@ianp3876]

That's just made my morning here in Thailand😃 Thank you Sir 🙏✌❤

[@aldntn]

Allen touches it, and it runs "Perfect".

[@scrateshooter]

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.

[@howder1951]

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!

[@newdayyesterday]

Well done Allen another engine saved and refurbed for reuse. The ultimate way to recycle old engineering........and get some 'mileage' or more probably 'use' out of Henry to boot.

[@tinkeringinthailand8147]

You wouldn't have thought this engine had not been run for 40 years. Whoever owned this really did take care of it :)

[@afenijmeijer9027]

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.

[@don7406]

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.

[@neodutch]

The country is full of ramblers that have Greta on their speed dial.

[@democratsaretheDEVIL]

How dare you!

[@dizzywow]

A lot of right-wingers in here, it seems.

[@neodutch]

@@dizzywow Oh diddums. Poor lil snowflake. Do you need your safe space?

[@TheBoely]

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.

[@richardraby6266]

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.

[@markhensens5989]

Sounds amazingly good!

[@nealeburgess6756]

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.

[@ChrisPinCornwall]

Beautiful! The internal combustion engine has an elegance that will never be usurped by any electric motor.

[@daveshaw9310]

Allen, it really says something when Henry Cole thinks you're mad. Don't let that ever stop you though.

[@cramersclassics]

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!

[@gsmecanica]

I can't explain how much I love your videos mate, thanks!

[@georgemcmillan9172]

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!

[@AllenMillyard]

Brilliant

[@gordonshort4264]

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 .

[@suzukietc1373]

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

[@splodge57]

Loved it. Japanese engineering at its best. Thanks Allen and Henry.

[@blackmountainboar]

love those Kaw’s engines 1973-1980 sound of music from you breathing life back into it 🙂

[@72polara]

The points and condenser looked like new, everything was so clean. I wonder if it is very low miles from a bike that got wrecked. Now the fun of building up something around it.

[@bikersreview383]

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 KZbinrs; 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.

[@thomaswalker3268]

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

[@grahamtapper3383]

Genius, artist, teacher, entertainer, talented engineer, film maker, world famous British Bloke and so likeable. Thanks Allen for sharing the magic that happens in your shed. Ever made a gasket from a cup cake paper !

[@malcolmtill]

I received my "It fit's perfect" tee shirt this week.

[@Doubledge]

Now I need “it fits perfect “ t shirt. Lol

[@sheerluckholmes5468]

I imagine that you were well pleased with that.

[@fishyfool]

I got my Flyng Millyard shirt the other day, it's perfect!

[@markfox1545]

*It fits perfectly.

[@Rob-fc9wg]

7:21. I want a " The madness of Millyard" tee shirt.

[@Markycarandbikestuff]

Allen is missing a trick here, ASMR, the snap of those carb rubbers.

[@RolandElliottFirstG]

I did a very similar thing on a Honda 750 4 , it hadn't been started for many years, set up the points and topped up the oil, set the Carbs as close as possible to all opening the same throttle, it started first time, only thing was fuel was spewing out of 2 of the carbs, they caught alight because I had the battery next to them, the positive wire came lose and arced, of course I had no water or fire extinguisher near, I tore my shirt off and threw it over the engine, lucky for me it extinguished the flames, apart from that the engine ran great.

[@David_Owsnett]

Awesome!! I'd like a friend like Henry.

[@thetribble]

Alan is a genius. He welded another cylinder onto a Suzuki GT750 to make it a GT1000, all from his head. Great to see him with Henry who recently did a piece on the GT750. A great pair of petrol heads. Thanks for the entertainment Alan.

[@ryancraig2795]

You're a bit mad, Allen, you know that right? I like that in a person.