Kawasaki Ninja GPZ900R Rebuild EP1 - Intro and Engine Removal

More info on our Facebook Page
/ riderestorers
This our first Ride Restorer project and we've decided to restore a 1986 Kawasaki GPZ900R. For us it's an exciting rebuild project.
We've always wanted to own one of these motorcycles so it's an odd feeling to be working on a bike we've both been dreaming about for over 30 years.
In this video we have a quick intro to our bike before setting about removing the engine. It was filmed out of lockdown but we still did our best to stay distanced from each other.
Help Supports us with Patreon
/ riderestorers
#kawasaki #gpz900r #motorcyclerestoration #riderestorers

[@ampassionstruck9138]

..the most beautiful bike ever to come from the Ninja series !!😍😍..Dohc, 16 valve, inline 4 , liquid cooling......all that back in 1984 !! 😥😥....and this same engine layout is still preferred by almost all the superbike makers around the world says a lot about the kawasaki engineering !!😍😍..that fabulous japanese brain.

[@stevengeary4261]

Just found your channel and the GPZ900r restoration series. Own an A1 myself so I am looking forward to getting into the series, great opener though. Can't beat the sound of a 900r and as you say, a great riding position 😊

[@johnkattenhorn]

I've had more GPZ900r than any other motorcycle, I loved them, can't wait to see how this one turns out.

[@fixitrideitliveit]

Superb bikes

[@davidyoung9561]

I have a 1984 A1 model that I am restoring. I can't wait to ride it.

[@mikejoyce4243]

Me, too. But at my age of 69, laying on the garage floor to reach certain nuts, clamps or bolts was destroying my enthusiasm for the project. However, and I'm kicking myself in the ass for not doing this sooner, I recently bought a Handy motorcycle lift and my enthusiasm is back. Now, about sourcing those discontinued, hard-to-find, rusted out parts......

[@masterofdisaster7427]

Just bought a 1989 Gpz900R for 250 euro, Has been sitting in a garage for 15! years. the cosmetic is pristine but also going to take the engine out and check everything. 30 years ago i wanted to buy a brand new GPZ900R but ended up with a GPZ1000RX, now finally my dream of the first ninja has come true.

[@fixitrideitliveit]

You've got yourself a bargain. If you could help this channel by sharing it that would be superb. We're on the fence if we are going to carry on filming our hobbys or not.

[@masterofdisaster7427]

@@fixitrideitliveit my project will not start before next year. To busy with building my house. Just could not miss out on the offer for the gpz900r. I have no experience in filming or editing what so ever. Maybe my daughter can help me with that. A youtube channel is not all about numbers, you are doing a great job, a lot of people really appreciate your effort.

[@bruceturrentine6442]

Awesome! I have 2 1985 models. One silver with red and another black and red. Both are just like this. They run, but are tired and in need of a complete overhaul. I'm sure that I'll learn a lot form this series.

[@fixitrideitliveit]

Thank you

[@RB-fd1bu]

Great video guys. Excited to see the end result. I am building up my A10 this winter !

[@fixitrideitliveit]

Thanks R B. You'll have to send us some before and after photos of your finished bike on Facebook when you're done.

[@WhereisCliff7]

Awesome video, editing is great, keeps it entertaining. Will be following along step by step as I rebuild my 1985 (A2) 😎👍🏼

[@fixitrideitliveit]

Thanks Vlad. Be good to see your project when it's done.

[@billrutherford356]

Nice stuff ... we have a 1987 GPZ1000RX that looks similar ... thanks for the good work ...

[@fixitrideitliveit]

No problem and glad you've enjoyed the videos. Would be great if you can share and subscribe. It all helps us get this KZbin channel going.

[@DB-hv3fn]

Great work,looking forward to seeing more. I’m just on the final few bits of work to my 1985 A2 model at the moment,4 years in and it’s starting to really pay off. Summer 21 here we come🤞

[@fixitrideitliveit]

Thanks DB. We've another vid coming this week where Brian strips the frame down and then a few 'coming soons' of me attacking the engine.

[@fixitrideitliveit]

If you haven't already it would be great if you subscribed to our channel.

[@DB-hv3fn]

I’m subscribed already. If you send me your email I can send you on some pictures and videos of my bike,I’m not on Facebook. Regards DB

[@fixitrideitliveit]

@@DB-hv3fn It would be great to see your bike videos, are you able to upload them to your youtube channel? We currently don't have a public email we can post here but can let you know when we do.

[@m.e.3468]

Great video guys! Looking old with the glasses Schatzi ;-)

[@fixitrideitliveit]

Brian says it's a win win for him when he takes his glasses off. Apparently he looks younger and I look better. 😂😂

[@richardrobinson4086]

Great video guys.... Very well put together, got the makings of a fantastic channel... Can't wait for the next installment! 👍😉

[@fixitrideitliveit]

Thanks Richard. Really appreciate the feedback. I'll get episode two up next week.

[@richardrobinson4086]

@@fixitrideitliveit no problem.... Currently doing a full resto on a GPZ1000RX but my best mate has two 900r's so very keen to see another one saved... 👏👍

[@fixitrideitliveit]

@@richardrobinson4086 I think they deserve a second chance. Such great bikes. We're filming our passion and always learning so hope we do the bike justice. It would be great if these videos help others do the same.

[@fixitrideitliveit]

If you haven't already it would be great if you subscribed to our channel.

[@Skin-ve2tt]

I owned a 1986 model back in 1990. To be honest, it was one of the worst bikes I ever owned. Handling was atrocious, fork seals popped like cherries at a college orgy & brakes were shite! - I owned an FZR1000 Yamaha not long after that. It was years ahead of the GPZ. Aaahh well, each to their own.

[@adolfshitler]

Apart from the brakes! What brakes? they never had any brakes at the best of times!

[@razzorbladz]

nice one doing an 84 my self

[@fixitrideitliveit]

They are great bikes. This is our first GPZ project. Loving it so far.

[@fixitrideitliveit]

If you haven't already it would be great if you subscribed to our channel.

[@razzorbladz]

@@fixitrideitliveit already did

[@Honorarberatung]

Gruss Kawalotzi

[@samh3145]

Nice video lads, don't be afraid to ask for info

[@fixitrideitliveit]

Thanks Sam

[@fixitrideitliveit]

If you haven't already it would be great if you subscribed to our channel.

[@patdwyer6274]

Only recently bought a 1986 GPZ900R myself and am doing a rolling restoration on her. Really interested in seeing what you do. Good luck.

[@fixitrideitliveit]

It's a great project to have. There's plenty more videos to come so do check back. It's good to have you along for the ride.

[@fixitrideitliveit]

If you haven't already it would be great if you subscribed to our channel.

[@user-rt1ru8fr3n]

You fit the bike perfectly! How tall are you mate?

[@fixitrideitliveit]

Brian is about 6'2" ish

[@ianbrereton4463]

Guys where's the rest of the episodes and the Finnish bike!?

[@fixitrideitliveit]

Bikes almost done but lockdowns and life has got in the way this year. We restore these bikes in our spare time and don't get a penny for making the videos. We love doing it and appreciate all the great feedback. We wish we could make a career out of it. The filming and editing the restoration takes much longer so we've had to put it on hold until we have enough time. We're planning on wrapping it up early 2022.

[@danylessard9950]

woah great interesting video. I'm looking forward to see others. I own an 1985 gpz900r. I made a top gun replica. Do you have a fb page or something to follow too?

[@fixitrideitliveit]

Thanks Dany. We'll be on the lookout for an A1 as well one day. Yes it's facebook.com/RideRestorers/

[@fixitrideitliveit]

If you haven't already it would be great if you subscribed to our channel.

[@aliray1165]

I own one of these, but have some problems, namely a constant leak where the water pump meets the radiator pipe, I just can’t seem to be able to fix it, any hints?

[@fixitrideitliveit]

Always difficult to diagnose anything without seeing it. It can be uneven or dirty mating surfaces on the pump housing and even inside the pipe. The pipes can compress where the pipe clip knuckle has always been creating a gap. Could be a cracked pump housing. Clean, inspect and replace anything that’s damaged. A small amount of gasket sealer where the pipe mates with the pump might be a quick fix but doesn’t beat a proper job.

[@aliray1165]

@@fixitrideitliveit thank you for your reply. I have found your videos to be second to none. Wish I could work for you guys. I’ve been trying to restore this model for about 4 years and although I got the engine out and fixed so many issues I lost count, the bike still has the odd problem, the worst being this leak that I can’t patch. Must have drained and re o ringed that pipe about 5 times specifically and each time I open it up, there’s the o ring, apparently crushed to the point where it’s mangled and the fluid drips out. Despite my feeling that it’s a poor design in this area, I want to get it right so with your advice I will attempt to revisit this fix, and possibly re align some pipes to prevent any strange angles from causing problems. I re worked the water pump as it was weeping from the bleed hole so at least that’s one thing that isn’t dripping fluid. It’s my first bike but I have loved this model since the days of top gun, it’s just got such an iconic look to it. Every time I watch these videos I spot some new detail that you guys do. In particular I liked the way you mounted the screws in a piece of card to designate which went where. An absolutely genius space saving trick which will mean I won’t have to lay everything out in series on my bench. Cheers guys keep up the good work!

[@fixitrideitliveit]

Thanks Ali. We're just a couple of guys who like working on bikes in our spare time. This is the first sport bike engine I've torn down so it was great fun. I've been pulling things apart since I was old enough to hold a screwdriver so that and my experience in video production has resulted in these vids. I became friends with Brian whilst filming the Aim for the Horizon film on our channel. All I can say is carry on doing what you're doing. It may seem soul destroying when things don't work properly but with every success and failure we all learn so much. Keep thinking about every component in detail and question its design, purpose, stresses and strains constantly and the answers will appear. When you fix a new bike up you don't just repair it you bond with it.

[@aliray1165]

@@fixitrideitliveit so inspiring thank you!