1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 Maintenance / Ride - NNKH

Been neglecting the '78 kz for about a year now. Let's drag her out and blow the dust off. (Not literally)
~TIRE LUBE I WAS REFERING TO: amzn.to/3FL3jFD
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[@braddokken9191]

Late 70's and 80's were an amazing time to be into motorcycles. They got better each year. Your 78 is a beautiful bike and I hope you can ride it more often!

[@st-qd8wg]

The best and Legend CB Honda and KZ are the top elite super bikes in the world

[@B-Rad-Ry]

Showing the mistakes really makes your videos so great. Seeing issues come up and watching you handle them is encouraging.

[@fredsimmons2793]

Changing that oil showed me you don't ride them hard and put them up wet.This was honest and down to earth.

[@michaelweilmuenster5754]

I remember seeing that bike in one of your videos a long time ago. So glad you finally brought it out. I had a 78 KZ1000 Ltd with a factory Kerker header. One if the coolest bikes I've ever had and yes I miss it. Been keeping my eyes open for another one to restore. One of the best sounding motorcycles ever. Reminds me of mad max!

[@myVZyoot]

Love it mate, Here in Australia those old "KZ" bikes were just "Z" I bought my maroon 1978 Z1000 in 1980, sadly, I traded it, not sadly on a brand new Z1R MK11, both bikes I wish I still own. I still have my 1984 GPz1100a, which is not for the purist. That bike is stabled with my ZX14r, my 1400GTR (pronounced Concours in the USA) and my 1981 KE175 dirt bike. You mentioned your bikes' appearance a few times, it looks outstanding for a 45 year old bike. You ride it like it was built to be ridden, have fun mate, and stay safe. On a side note, there is another Aussie movie that features the old Z1 bikes...lots of them, it's called, "STONE", directed by Sandy Harbutt, it's probably a little corny for todays audience, but us crusty Australian bikers love it, you might enjoy it too, if you get time. Love ya work mate.

[@bradley7723]

The KZ1000 along with the CBX1000, XS1100 ,GS1000 of th late 70s were the birth of the superbikes of the modern era. The OGs if you will. I remember when they all started hitting show rooms. Great time in motorcycle history. And the quality of the bikes were amazing. Love your video's and your new shop, keep on having fun. 😊

[@bigjohnson7415]

The Yammy XS 650 parallel twin was pretty iconic for the day!

[@davids1702]

not to mention the gsmodels rembering I was sporting a triple500 racing my buddy on his 78gs550 we were doing 90 and his helmet was on top of his sissy bar flewoff and bounced offmy front wheel of my h2 off course gs couldn't hold a candle off the line to a triple but. higher topend now I am saddling up on a 2012 ninja 1k love that bike but still have a collection of old Hondas and kawasaki from63to78 and a Daytona 400too many projects but you. Thema keep posting love the clip with kyou cruising in the river inthe ice I had a similar experience my girl friend needed a idiot to ride her 800 yamaha jet skiing to the boat launch. her e I go out in the middle of the Columbia River 4ft chop it was. totally stupid but made it recently was laid up in the hospitol for7months so really enjoy watching you knock out projects have learned alot thx Chris and Jen you 2 are awesome ty dave

[@buildingsalvage]

A million subs between this and main channel. Man that’s pretty cool. Congrats! Love the maintenance videos. Not enough people know how to do it and that probably kills a lot of beautiful machines

[@TXH1138]

why have 3 channels? Why not just post all videos on the same channel? Extra money for having the same 200-300K subscribers on the different channels? Seems the views would be the same. Just curious.

[@p9raceway759]

@@TXH1138tell me how KZbin works. If based on watched minutes diversifying makes sense. Algorithm wants to see video watched beginning to end therefore 2 channels cover fan base. KZbinrs have successfully operated 2 channels so main channel income is optimized

[@bettycollins3914]

Such a cool video Chris, I had a 1974 Z1 900. They have that old mad max sound. 😂 The ride thru the fall colors and then the passenger train. Makes everything seem normal for a while. Thanks again. ❤

[@BrianLarson1326]

First motorcycle I ever rode was a 76 KZ900 with green paint. Last bike I ever rode was a KZ750 LTD shafty. Thank you for sharing your ride with us. As a disabled former rider, it's soul food for me.

[@hervewasson5173]

Nice old bike Chris. Just some routine maintenance and a light cleaning and this bike deserves to live its own life on the roads. Nothing superficial, just ride freely. (2 wheels and an engine). Thank you for the ride in your countryside and cities in this area of USA. Hope to go back on the US soil someday. 😃

[@dave-uf8ir]

1982 I had the pleasure of a summer afternoon on a buddy's kz 1000 o my God wildest bike I ever rode nice peace new shop killer cheers 🥂 guys 😊

[@jstar1000]

Pro tip, take the old tube press it flat and cut of each edge (right inside, left side) then the center section is now rubber rim tape.

[@Barracuda-r7s]

Hey Chris I’m with you on keeping the bike as is, as far as maintenance that goes without saying it’s a must. Actually it was just another learning experience for me at least that you had to patch the tube… & of course Gus making his entrance always makes it even better. Appreciate the effort you make to show & explain things. Thanks

[@carlbernard4197]

Funny when Gus's ear went inside out 😂😂😂

[@TylerBurns-sb1kv]

for almost a 50 year old bike, that thing sounds like a beast

[@ericcowan7759]

Those Vance & Hines pipes have always sounded the best! Sweet ride, Chris!

[@pedrolsantiagosr5092]

Love the old vintage bikes…That KZ sound incredible:)

[@KenMrKLC]

Man, so many years later and that style just ages better with age. Still a sharp mean looking bike and has plenty of power. What a great design bike

[@frfrpr]

Gawd! That thing sounds good. Brings back some great memories!

[@Wootangtw]

Those Kawasaki kZ and z1 are awesome bikes…I had several back in the 70’s… thanks for the video buddy…

[@yaboysamshep1470]

Man I’m glad you said that about motorcycle batteries , I can’t make one last more than 3 years , I don’t keep them on tender 24/7 but when I’m out in shop I put them on it and they just don’t seem to last , I’ve also seen a lot of decline in automotive batteries recently

[@nickyduhr8355]

I love the way they sound!

[@michaeljones0007]

No other sound is like that sound the Kawis make.

[@bennyrobles9194]

Beautiful bike.! I had a 650 in the late 70s. Reminds me of the movie Mad Max. ToeCutter,Bubba, Goose, Johnny the boy.

[@flyingmachinecustomparts8227]

My favorite bike of all time !!!

[@nickyduhr8355]

The KZ1000 is an iconic bike for sure! Most of the bikes used in the og Mad Max movie were Kz's. I had a 78 with an extended swing arm and a 100 shot of nitrous. Killer scary!!

[@derekdavis6508]

That's the reason I want one like toecutters.

[@carlbernard4197]

That would be one hell of a ride especially the roads NNKH was on 😮😂😂😂

[@larrys4227]

Awesome bike! When i wasxa kid, my dads friend had a brand new kz900 ... i believe it was the fastest production bike at the time. I was in love with it. Yours is fantastic ... love the sound of that Vance and Hines. Have a blast ... im jealous ❤😊

[@Darryl603]

Nope, sorry. It was the KZ750 2 stroke, triple cylinder. I had one : )

[@wesdauer158]

78 z1 900

[@steelcitycaprice.899]

🤛🏾😎 totally agree with you. Ride that bad boy. I have an 81kz1000 and 82 shaft driven kz1100 that I just want running again. Great seeing these bikes on the road in their vintage glory.👍🏽😎🏁🏁🏁

[@freezerburn04]

Folks still put 1500 kits in these kz1000’s and they are still competitive. Awesome engines, thanks for the vid👍🙏👋

[@GearHeadGeeks]

Let me give you a tiny bit of advice when changing tube tires (having been a motorcycle mechanic throughout the 70s and literally changed hundreds of tires by hand). First do yourself a favor and heat up that tire and make it more pliable. Also slightly inflate the tube, that helps keep it out of the way of the iron. Leave the nut on, some tubes rely on that to hold in the stem on the tube. Yes, yours didn't come with one but that is usually a sign of someone robbing it from the package, better safe than sorry. Also the rim locks go into the holes 180 apart and the stem goes into the other hole. The 180s are to keep the tire in somewhat of a balance. To avoid pinching, never bring the tire iron beyond "0" degrees(ish), moving it beyond "0" is where you pinch it. Just lube up the iron so the tire slides on. Also, if you don't want it restored, just clean it up, remove the rust so it doesn't get any worse, fix the starter, they are super simple (on the Z1s and KZs, make sure the wires seal in the rubber). Nothing wrong with a clean bike, leave the patina if that floats your boat. But you are a really good mechanic, one of the best on KZbin, so you know to treat the machine with a little respect. Just saying....

[@nicklopez3580]

That bike sounds amazing

[@marcofreddi4831]

Il morore migliore della storia del motociclismo,semplice,robusto,affidabile,potente e con scarico quattro in uno ha una voce ineguagliabile... bellissimo!

[@NoCoastGolf]

Chris on a motorcycle with a train going by is peak NNKH. I love it. Chris, you're the man.

[@Zburnett94]

Awesome bike and awesome video, helps give me the motivation to keep moving with my 79 gs750 project! Can’t help but to appreciate these early manufacturer battle bikes that are so well engineered and are virtually impossible to kill.

[@sinjin90ful]

Yep need so work on 1980 Gs750

[@aronhoward919]

You have the identical big brother of mine, I have a 78 kz 650 in black. Fantastic bikes!!!!! Wish I had the 1000 though😊 Be nice to see them side to side and ride but I live in SW Florida. and yes they love 10,000 + and beg for more!!!. Nice video Chris 👍

[@VinayKumar-db4qz]

Wow, such a sweet sounding bike.

[@willemp6432]

Those bikes are wonderful.

[@ghostrider729]

Man!!! That reminds me of my 550 Maxim days in the 80's in northern Virginia!!!! Good times!!!

[@mpp31387]

The burnout at the end *chefs kiss*. The hero we need, but don't deserve.

[@AnthonyAntTony]

That exhaust note is fantastic. KZs will forever be cool.

[@duncandemontfort5156]

Fanatic episode mate - love the bike, and would love to see more bike content on your channel. Keep up the great content 👌🏻

[@rogjackson]

She's a runner. I agree with your philosophy. Keep going!!

[@nightstorm9128]

Lovely growl off of the quakker...

[@everready19373]

I'm 61 and had a CB750F SS back in the day. Man I'd love to have that KZ.

[@richcxx]

Man that sound….. Music!

[@donmears4090]

Fall colors, Trains and a vintage unrestored rider motorcycle. It dosen't get any better.🏍😃

[@josephperry6822]

Beats the shit out of another ebike video! That bike is a sweet cruiser! Just like it is. Nice power and a cool sound. Great vid! Love the shop..

[@srtautoworkz]

Absolutely love those ole KZs, my dad had one, loved hearing that thing shreik through the gears as he left for work, dream bike for sure

[@richardmcdonel9669]

Man what I would give for one of those bikes,,friend of mine had one of those years ago,,damn good bikes

[@davemorris8365]

Those old kawasakis are worth a fair bit today ,nice to see it restored

[@michaelovitch]

New brake hoses are a necessity,don't neglect brakes. Nice work, nice video.

[@TheTruckdriver999]

Definitely cannot beat the sound of a kwaka with 4into 1s grouse bike fella 👍👍

[@hardtail-gy8dk]

This video had it all classic bike, covered bridges, steam train and phenomenal roads and scenery, bike sounds great

[@Rick-4552]

The kz 1000 episodes are some of the best!

[@andrewwilliams825]

Great vid Chris, that's a lovely old bike, I had a Z750 back in the early 80's, always wanted a ZZR1100 but marriage got in the way of that plan. I know what you mean about not restoring it, but surely a lovely old bike like that deserves a bit of TLC and maybe to be kept in your basement. Whatever great vid, and I enjoyed the drone footage at the end.

[@paullavergne2477]

Definitely. A work. Of. Art. Miss. Mine

[@MikeyDee25]

Another great video Chris. The ride shots were fantastic as were the aerial shots. Regarding the bike, as the saying goes - 'you do you'! If it ain't broke don't fix it. Hope Turbo is feeling better since your last video. 😸

[@stevehowarth5792]

Having started my biking life on a different UJM (Honda CB900F) it was great to relive the experience through the 'clocks'. There is something comforting about the old-school speedo and tacho and the glow through the tunnels and at night. Todays digital instruments are cool but there is something special about the analogue world.

[@junglejones]

You need to keep that bike clean...More drag bikes have been made out of the KZ1000 than any other motorcycle in modern history. It's a piece of motorcycle history.

[@CPthetooladdict]

Man I started watching you because of the xr and kz vids miss these vids. I built my 1980 with a 1075 big bore kit cams carbs it was a rocket!

[@SuperfloDee]

How could you not ride this beauty every single day it sounds and looks glorious …such a lovely machine…would be my pride and glory if I had it😁🦾🔥🔥🔥

[@glennstatham960]

Chris, at 68, I'm twice your age but man, we could be brothers, I just think a lot like you but you have a better memory haha!

[@tomandzack]

The train was so cool to see! Love seeing the area you live in on your ride.

[@NNKH2]

Yeah definitely I really neat train! Especially in the winter. Thank you for tuning in

[@everydaymechanic4657]

The burnout scene gave off mad max vibes 👍

[@mikefarge3543]

I Loved watching this video especially some of the camera work with the trains brought back memories for me of my first Motorcycles being KH 250 Z 650 and Z750 all in the 70s and early 80s moved on to have GPZ1100 B2 Kawasaki when I was 23 years old good memories love the video

[@TXH1138]

"90 year olds don't want to look 20" They may not want to look 20, but they do want to look their best and still shower regularly.

[@mwilliamshs]

Not recognizing that as a joke makes me think your mental age is higher than 90 or less than 2

[@phillipromaine1342]

Just a little trick to let you know about replacing tires from an old man if you're slightly inflate the tube before you insert it you won't get the pinch 😊

[@fishypictures]

Love the KZs….. that’s what we rode back in the day.

[@doggonedk]

I survived a KZ 900. Very lightly modded with a KerKer pipe balanced bigger carbs. Scariest thing I ever threw a leg over. Skinny little friend of mine could run that thing in the high-9s. Not me I didn't have the nerve to get it out of the hole. These were the OG's of the super bikes of today. To go 9's on a street bike in the '70s was crazy. Love your channel Chris Don't change a thing.

[@kurtburkhardt5862]

That is a great bike! My friend Mark had one back in the early 80's. It was fast and fun. Better to ride it and do the maintenance on it than shine it up and never use it. I would probably give it a bath and polish it up a bit just to help it last longer and look good. But, it's your bike and it's your call.

[@davidwhiten3742]

It’s your bike treat it how you like. My friends lil brother had one just like it back in the 80’s he rode it hard and fast all the time and had a blast.

[@vferrante6436]

another great video! cool drone shots and vintage trains also..forgot how good those 1000 Kaws ran and quick..

[@johnkendrick7304]

Don't listen to those weird people. You use your bike with the way it's supposed to be. You enjoy it! Keep up the good work always enjoy the videos man take care

[@chrisanderson5971]

Chris I love your down and dirty approach to this bike 🏍️ so cool that you can give it some love after sitting so long and it just goes. Just wanted to say thanks for keeping “Us” couch potatoes entertained on the weekend lol. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@fonz323]

Love that sound, brings back lots of good memories.

[@808v1]

when you mentioned the chassis twisting, it reminded me of my old RZ500, that thing was fabulously dangerous :)

[@Jordanrhart]

Perfect timing, I just picked up a 78 KZ1000 last weekend. Thanks for the knowledge!

[@NNKH2]

That's awesome! Good luck with it! I know you'll love it

[@Scotts23]

That bike sounds awesome old is gold they just don't make things like they used to ❤

[@catfisher420]

I love the sound of a KZ. I've had 2 KZ 750 4cyl's and a ZR7-S which also used the KZ engine. Great bikes. Sounds even better with the baffles taken out of the pipes. Also sets off every car alarm!

[@bigjohnson7415]

Yes, great bikes! I had a 78 KZ 750 Standard in 1980. Kerker 4 into one header, that thing would sing!👍

[@fishrider62]

favorite motto, It's done right cause it's done twice! Glad to see the pro's do stuff too!

[@markhobby7481]

When I started as a motor officer (2000), the department I worked with was using the KZ1000's. I only got to ride them for about a year before going to the BMW R1150rtp's, but I remember how much faster the KZ was on take off compared to the BMW. The beemers were great on the highway and would do 100mph all day long, but the Kawasaki would beat the BMW to 100 by far. KZ's didn't do well in high temp's though, I remember at slow speeds, mine would tend to over heat if it was above 100 degrees.

[@itsmephil2255]

Viewers can comment all they want Chris, at the end of the day you do what you want with the bike You can get out whenever and enjoy

[@jamesenderby5114]

I just love all your video's on both of your channels, they are a combination of repairs (and what not to do), ideas, creativity, enthusiasm, (and not losing your rag, f'in and j'fin, and throwing tools around the workshop when things go wrong like the rest of us) part travel tourist views, and of course, they have to have Gus ! I'm still on my original bike battery that is over 5 years old, but then I use it at least twice a week commuting 60 miles a day. Keep it up !

[@mark98070]

KZ1000 was an awesome bike back in the day. My dad had a Z900, the predecessor to that bike. If memory serves it was a 1974. I was barely a teen not licensed yet but would cruise it when he wasn't home.

[@craigjohnson3603]

Thats a cool old Kawasaki, my buddy let me ride his back yrs. ago I gave it back soon after it scared me I had not ridden anything that fast before 😂.but then I got a mint V65 Magna and learned to respect fast bikes. I still have it tucked away downstairs. Good video!

[@blevenzon]

Awesome as always. That bike is beautiful

[@garyh7949]

I love the 1970s styling.

[@georgekouremenos596]

Chris, very nice. On top of seeing the bike run, i saw what beautiful long roads and country you have. Gongrats.

[@dankrzeminski6370]

It brings back memories. I had a 78 Kawasaki kz1000 Z1-R in high school in the late 70’s. I thought I was all that and a bag of chips lol. I can’t believe it didn’t kill me.

[@seansysig]

I had a 78 Z1-R I bought brand new when I was 19 and when I sold it 40 years later the odometer showed 96585.8. It was best carving up from Albany thru the Adirondacks up to Lake Placid. I easily hit 100mph on I-87 above Lake George Village. I blew a speed trap at over 90 and luckily hoped off a ramp and never got caught stupid luck.

[@SlwRpr]

Your dirt dauber nest under seat just reminded me. I sat on my back steps one summer several years ago and watched a dirt dauber building on a mud tube that ended up being about 5 inches long. Absolutely fascinating!!

[@williamfoster4268]

I've been waiting so long for this video, Saturday just got better! That specialty tire lube is just vegetable oil based grease, no negative reaction with rubber. It's the same red rubber grease without the dye.

[@ValkyrieRider.]

KZ1000 and a train..It doesn't get much better than that. Great video.

[@stevencherry3545]

Nice Kawasaki. I was a RD in high school and after college I got a 1982 GPZ-1100.My friend from work totaled that bike and I'm glad he didn't get hurt.Then I got a ZX-11 and then a ZX-14 which i still have. I really enjoy your videos.

[@DG-mi7yf]

Sweet vid. Just picked up an 82 kz1000 Ltd. Got her road worthy. Just gotta tighten the chain a bit tomorrow

[@johnbyerts4190]

Just hit anything with grease and lube. Awesome video!

[@madsnoball2709]

I had a Z1-R, that sound almost makes me cry. Thank you!

[@romeostojanovski6806]

Well spoken. Also we don't get old trains like that in Sydney Australia. Awesome 😊

[@BigIronTexas]

Just one man's opinion but I like that round 70s looking side mirror. Everything modern just looks like melted plastic with no character to it.

[@maxmillion4216]

Don't you love the way everyone knows better than you. Awesome video Chris.

[@garyseaton4619]

It's always nice to see some cool bike content. You've got enough bikes. Time for a bike lift? Those Vance and Hines pipes do sound good, always have. Great train drone shots, but that cool old train in town was excellent...

[@denniscoughlin7437]

That's a sweet bike! My 1st street bike was my dads Z1 900 i forget what year mid 70s. That thing was a rocket ship. I wish i had known then what i know now about that bike! Its one of the 1st if not the 1st super bikes.