Rebuilding a barn find Kawasaki GPZ900R Superbike - Part 1

Welcome back!
In this video I start taking the bike apart in preparation for removing the old alarm system. How many bolts will snap?

[@ivangreat133]

JIS is short for Japanese Industrial Standard.

[@davidevelyn530]

Yeah. JIS is what makes babies.😬

[@Busaboy1300]

I love the humour,and the honesty.keep it going mate,I'm loving it.

[@AshRowland]

Thank you mate, I think a few people might find my videos a bit boring but I'm not like the other KZbinrs who do a whole project in 20 minutes, I want to show every problem, every issue, every fault and every mistake I make. Perhaps people will realise how much time, effort and work goes into something like this. 👍

[@ianwelch484]

Hi matey I bought my GPZ1100 new in 1984 and loved it. Enjoying your videos. I’m 64 now and I own CBR1100 super blackbird. What a beautiful beast of a bike. 👍.

[@AshRowland]

Ooh lovely! I'll probably do a CBR1100 at some point 😊

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

Yep… First piece of advice I was given when I started my restoration was the JIS! I love them more than my children 🤣

[@AshRowland]

🤣

[@PaulPX]

Stick with it. Looking forward to see the progress .

[@AshRowland]

Thanks buddy!

[@coplandjason]

Making good progress there now mate. It's always fun trying to work out what other "Artful Bodgers" have been doing before the bike came into your ownership. That alarm looks terrible and the installation of it not much better. I suspect that piece of plastic and the strip of Egyptian mummy bandage had more to do with stopping it rattling around like a pea in a drum rather than weatherproofing it. That Kwaka manual is great, much better than Haynes although Haynes is better than nothing. I have a few Kwaka workshop manuals for different bikes, they're excellent with a lot of detail and clear instructions. Looking forward to the next episode :-)

[@AshRowland]

🤣 Egyptian mummy bandage 🤣 I don't think I've ever seen a worse install to be honest haha

[@markdavies5508]

You can tell if it's a JIS screw as it will have a dot next to the cross head indent on the screw. Take a look at the screws holding down the cap of the front brake master cylinder reservoir for an example.

[@AshRowland]

Cool, I'll check that out

[@RoeyHaviv]

High-way-to-the….DANGER ZONE!

[@ThatOldHonda]

LOL JIZZ screwdriver, J.I.S. Japanese Industrial Standard, great screwdrivers for working on this and all Japanese bikes, they fit the screws perfectly, you can put one in a horizontal screw and they will just stay there, you wont mess up your screw heads with these

[@AshRowland]

I've found them to be brilliant 😃 I wish I heard of them years ago!

[@francoisscherman7140]

The 900 handles better than the 1000 handles hens it out lasted them. The biggest problem with the 900 was the crank as they throw bearings if the oil is not at the top level. Think they were some of the first bikes with white metal bearings. Can be corrected on that one 🤔

[@AshRowland]

I need to drop the sump and take the rocker cover off to see how gunky the oil is, I don't think simply draining it will get it out

[@francoisscherman7140]

Nope you will have to get that motor clean and have a look at the bearings while you’re there those cranks are finicky

[@mikehatswell3961]

Got to subscribe to see how you get on, you’re definitely not afraid of a challenge 😂 good luck buddy 👍

[@AshRowland]

🤣 thanks buddy!

[@TheDavedadd]

Super cool bike that Ash. Very lucky guy to own one of them. God that wiring is an absolute rats nest. Makes me sad to see such an iconic bike neglected in certain ways. Safe riding bud. 🙂

[@AshRowland]

You know what, thinking about it, there doesn't appear to be any mouse/rat damage! Not that I've found anyway lol

[@tomakafrankconlon3207]

If you dont have one, an impact screwdriver with JIS heads will prevent a lot of headaches removing old screws and bolts.

[@AshRowland]

Good idea!

[@AdrianFuhrmann]

Im pretty sure that cyclone power alarm system is an anti theft device. When your bike is powered off, a sensor detects when someone tries to move you bike and the alarm starts.

[@x-105strikefreedom]

Gotta watch this restoration, hope you will redo the paint job and copy the original paint job as close as possible. Want to see how you will restore the carbs and the engine. Are spare parts still available in UK??

[@AshRowland]

I'm really undecided on the paint at the minute... parts wise, I have eBay to rely on mostly, but some parts such as seals and gaskets are still available from Kawasaki.

[@cabbage64]

Nice vid. You dont like getting wet...and youve got a motorbike...in Wales! 😂.

[@AshRowland]

🤣 that's a really good point!

[@chollythecrazycorgihesinsa6505]

Getting there👍

[@JerryCarter-v4z]

J.i.s is Japanese industry standard I believe

[@AshRowland]

Thanks 👍

[@volvogt21]

Whatever you do clean out the plug recesses before you take out the plugs. All that crap will destroy your motor.

[@AshRowland]

Thats one of the reasons I bought the compressor you'll see in part 2 😃

[@volvogt21]

@AshRowland excellent. I'd still be soaking it and trying to get a small wire brush in there to loosen up all the crap. Blow out and repeat as many times as you have to. Then you can have a go at the plug. Good luck. You'll be fine.

[@brianbatten3664]

Jay eye s lol not jis Japanese industrial standard. But yes you'll need them Sorry i should of kept watching J I S is correct

[@lescrook2750]

Bulldog BDX far better than WD40

[@AshRowland]

Cool, thanks

[@portlandsean]

You might want to check the price of a new wiring harness or you will be chasing gremlins for ever.

[@AshRowland]

That's probably a good idea

[@kawaking7]

GPZ 1000RX is the bike you mean from 1986 .

[@HalfdeadRider]

The ZX10 Tomcat

[@AshRowland]

I actually meant the GSX-R1100 😃

[@AshRowland]

I believe the ZX10-Tomcat was 1988

[@HalfdeadRider]

@@AshRowland Yes it was, just looked it up 👍 One parked right outside mine a couple of years back, went straight outside to get a pic 😎

[@alexmartinmap]

Stop saying JIZZ - that's something quite different!! JIS, or Japanese Industrial Standard is preferred🤣🤣

[@ZRXRICK]

Spooge-Drivers :)

[@AshRowland]

🤣

[@AshRowland]

🤣

[@shaunhardie6077]

Its not pronounced "JIZZ" you say the 3 letters individually, "J I S" 🤣🤣🤣.

[@AshRowland]

🤣 I feel like I'm going to be seeing this kind of comment a lot 🤣

[@davejameson2325]

Hi there bud. Im an electrician, and in 1996 i had to investigate why my bike was overheating. It was caused by the water from the back wheel spraying water into the fuse box , Inside the fusebox is a circuit board. And the tracks become corroded. Prise off the back of the fusebox with the fuses and relays removed and check out the state of the board. Its usually the bottom track that burns out and this track supplies the cooling fan. I sent a letter to kawasaki uk at the time and as a way of thanks, they sent me a credit note for 150 quid. Please check the fuse box or your bike will overheat 👍👍

[@AshRowland]

Thanks buddy, sitting in my workshop with that fuse box is top of my list!

[@davejameson2325]

@@AshRowland nice one mate would love to see the result. The back pops off by the way

[@heavenhellorhoboken7831]

Great to see a guy on his drive with no fancy garage kit.

[@mudmucks]

and the trains going by

[@AshRowland]

Thanks, yep, just me and my hand-tools 🤣

[@richardwhelan8060]

Problem is that bike won't get finished before petrol runs out... If he's done a restoration I'll be very surprised.. 🙄

[@therealslimshady4555]

You should of started this in the better weather say around 1st April..

[@AshRowland]

Probably lol

[@timmytackle9181]

I’m enjoying these videos I remember enjoying mine ! I traded mine for a triumph trophy 1200 in 93 that I still have today ! Can I recommend that you stop with the WD 40 witch is for water displacement not lubricating and use plus gas as it’s far better at releasing rusted metal fixtures

[@AshRowland]

Thanks, I'll see if I can get some.

[@mol32]

You might be wise investing in one of the Clarke temporary workshops from Machine Mart.Nothing more miserable than working on a bike in the rain!

[@AshRowland]

Twice the price of my gazebo, I do have sides for it but the rain hasn't been heavy enough to warrant putting them on 🤣

[@ZRXRICK]

First time I ever heard anyone pronounce it "Jizz" instead of J-I-S...

[@AshRowland]

You not the only one 🤣

[@graemecooke6512]

A tip I have used in the recent past,when you took the bolts out of the grab rail, if you had a cheap o ring kit,put the bolts back in the grab rail in the correct position and slide an o ring over the thread to keep it in place!

[@AshRowland]

Thats actually a brilliant idea, I've got a box set of air-con o-rings that will probably do that job perfectly

[@leon0]

You're thinking about the second gen GPz1100, the A models with unitrack suspension. They have our on 1983 though so still higher top speed. But not the quickest ... GPz900R way quicker through the curves, way lighter, way shorter, way better mass centralisation. Then came the GPZ1000R ... 10mph faster at the top end but a lorry by comparison to the 900R.

[@leon0]

'came out' ... not 'have our' ... Auto complete. Don't you just love it.

[@iangibbons936]

Great channel, I had a GPZ1000Rx and I'm pretty sure that was the fastest production bike in the world when it came out but was only produced for I think 2 years followed by the ZX10 but the 900r was around for a lot longer in slightly different variants, all cracking bikes though and I wish I still had mine. Good luck with the restoration, I'm looking forward to seeing the progress footage cheers Ian

[@AshRowland]

Thanks Ian, means a lot 😃

[@85RAG]

I'm nearing completing a restoration of one of these. Having lost all the pictures I took when dismantling, I could see in your first video that I haven't routed the clutch pipe correctly so cheers for that. Looking forward to seeing your progress with it.

[@AshRowland]

Wow, my videos are actually helping someone out already! I'm so happy 😃

[@85RAG]

@@AshRowland Rearranged now and much better!👌

[@davewilliams4086]

Jis screwdrivers 😂 J.I.S. screwdrivers but please keep calling them Jis, that's made my night

[@AshRowland]

🤣

[@2Boomer4U]

Interesting resto, this could either be an epic find or an expensive box of parts. Would love to do my own barn find restoration at some point, just finding the right bike the hardest part.

[@AshRowland]

At the minute it's an epic find of a box of parts 🤣

[@yodinator]

Great bike, I had an '87 A4 (in black) back in the early 90s. Had the same butchered rear fender 😂

[@georgeday5901]

What about the gsxr1100 when was that released.my 87 CBr1000f was good for 160 on the clock .

[@AshRowland]

Here's a cool list I found: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fastest_production_motorcycles

[@jeffatkinson690]

1 minute in Jis, No J.I.S. Japanese Industrial Standard. Not better Phillips. I cant believe this

[@AshRowland]

Haha, yea, I wasn't sure at the time of recording this 😃

[@randallnixon3456]

Japanese industrial standard. They’re all I use on my Japanese motorcycles

[@AshRowland]

I think it'll be all I use everywhere now 😃

[@samh3145]

Plastic bag deffo not standard, quick tip, start soaking the rear engine mount bolts now with plenty WD40 or equivalent, they can be completely seized in the engine case

[@AshRowland]

Thanks for the tip, very contrary to others telling me not to use WD40 at all 🤣

[@leon0]

There's nothing wrong with WD40. It's true it displaces water - actually drives moisture away - but is also a lubricant with silicon. I also use GT85 which has a form of teflon in its formulation. Whatever works for you but time soaking is important for all of them. You might as well go right round your GPZ soaking every visible fixing in your WD40. That way, they will all have had a good chance of marinading for a good while before you attack them with spanner or screwdriver.

[@georgeday5901]

Good luck with that wiring system

[@AshRowland]

Thanks, I'm gonna need it!

[@JoeBlack666]

You're so funny man, I love it.

[@AshRowland]

I try 🤣

[@ThatOldHonda]

Nice bike, wish you the best of luck

[@AshRowland]

Cheers 😃

[@phatdubsta]

Same casio watch as mine lol

[@AshRowland]

I'm so glad someone noticed this! I love this watch, the Casio Royal!

[@schzx14]

You keep saying 1100 but if you’re referring to the ZX11, that came out a few years later. The immediate successor to the GPZ900 (Ninja 900) was the Ninja 1000 but the improvement was negligible. The GPZ900 was a huge leap compared to anything when it came out in 84. Yes, the GPZ750turbo was crazy fast but it was akin to an old two stroke in its power delivery. So the real next jump was the ZX11 Ninja which grabbed another 20mph top end over the 900/1000. I had a GPZ900, ZX11, ZX14, and Concours 14 and all of them are stellar! Okay, I’m only halfway through your video so I’ll resume. And I see folks already corrected you on the Jizz vs J.I.S issue. Haha.

[@terrynicholson9273]

There was a GPZ1100 from about 1984

[@schzx14]

@@terrynicholson9273 that was air cooled and not in the same class. 135mph top end. I didn’t think you meant that bike. Anyway, good job.

[@AshRowland]

The 1100 I'm referring to is the GSX-R1100 because according to Wikipedia it was the bike that superseded the GPz900R with regards to fastest production bike 😃 here is the link... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fastest_production_motorcycles

[@terrynicholson9273]

@@AshRowland That is the only one of those late 80's fastest bikes I never owned. I had a 1985 GPZ900, 1987 fzr1000, 1988 CBR1000 and then went smaller with a 1989 GSXR750.

[@AshRowland]

@@terrynicholson9273 nearly completed the set

[@MrSkid1970]

The gpz1000rx,was the fastest road bike in 86,and was superseded by the zx10.the 900r outlived them both,a testament to it!good luck with the restoration!

[@AshRowland]

Thank you 😃

[@ZRXRICK]

900R outlived the ZX11 too.

[@Brad2meetU]

I agree with you MrSkid1970. Ash, I also contacted Northwich when I received an alert but was told a deposit had been placed, so the very best wishes in your endeavour. I bought my first 900 in 1985, Polaris Blue & Galaxy Silver A2 model, similar to your purchase, which I now need to ressurect (decent used coloured bodywork is a search for a Holy Grail). I received an alert about your bike & immediately contacted the Northwich dealer, only to be told a deposit had just been made.. so good luck & best of wishes with your endeavour, I shall be following with great interest.

[@AshRowland]

@@Brad2meetU ah, yes, I believe it was on eBay for less than 24 hours. I saw it on there and rang the guy, got his bank details and paid for it straight away without even looking at it 🤣 I couldn't miss that opportunity!

[@AshRowland]

@@Brad2meetU ah, yes, I believe it was on eBay for less than 24 hours. I saw it on there and rang the guy, got his bank details and paid for it straight away without even looking at it 🤣 I couldn't miss that opportunity!

[@billhambelton7698]

Thanks for the update. That alarm has given me worrying flashbacks. 1980s alarms were trash and guaranteed to cause gremlins.

[@AshRowland]

🤣 Yea, it's going straight in the bin 🤣

[@cleobeagley628]

Love the videos! Keep it up!

[@colinculverwell325]

While you are investigating the rest of the bike it wouldn't hurt to pull thr plugs out and get some oil down the bores. Looking forward to next installment.

[@AshRowland]

I'm currently waiting for the plugs to magically remove themselves in my absence 🤣🤣🤣

[@johnbleakley9413]

Love what you're doing, and it's great to see an appreciation for the older, but still classic bikes, but why are doing your work outside?

[@AshRowland]

Because I don't have anywhere to do it inside... When I get to 50k subscribers I'll rent a unit 🤣

[@steveanddawn22]

Your going to completely strip that outside your house on the drive and rebuild it brave man

[@AshRowland]

🤣 brave, or daft? 🤣

[@projectclark123]

Wow really love this video

[@AshRowland]

Thank you so much 😀

[@paullubcke8554]

I remember owning the same bike 1988. Was the 85 a2 . In blue and silver. Was probably the best bike I ever owned. It had 12000km and when I sold it had 20000. Was a total of 4 months and lost my license. There was a 1100. From 83.

[@Brad2meetU]

I still consider the Blue & Silver A2 as my favourite colour & paint scheme & I have owned many..... .... perhaps it is because it was my first 900R at the age of 20 & has given me more miles & wonderful memories than any other bike I've owned. It is silly to compare it to my modern bikes but just as enjoyable an experience for it.. as are my z650b1 (single front disc) & GSX1100S Katana (rock hard rear suspension)... . . modern brakes, suspension upgrades & 1000Rx engine/carbs on my A1 improved it for me , but some anoraks would say that is sacrilege.

[@paullubcke8554]

I was 21 and had traded my 250lC for it. Was definitely a big step up. Wanted red and silver but got the blue one for a good price. Had a Dunlop k700 150 on the rear and handled really well. Tried to get a 140 rear when it wore out as was the size they used for racing. The k700 wouldn't seal so they put a 130 on it which was standard. Felt like a 250 turning in. But didn't feel as stable as the 150 on the high speed corners.

[@Brad2meetU]

I personally found the Dunlop appalling at times & once I changed to the Metzeler 33 front & 99 rear (as used on the IOM Proddy Racers, the bike truly was a massive step up in handling, braking & feel. I also have had Avon Blue Spots & various soft compounds which were undoubtedly better but nearly new 100miles) rear tyre wearing out after 500 miles through the Lakes & Wales in one enjoyable trip was enough of that expensive malarchy. Each to their own as we are all different riders & sizes.

[@richardwhelan8060]

I've got to say I I restored many bikes including a gpz, never done one in the open air.. This looks like it's going to very laborious to watch your videos.... Seriously that long to take off the seat unit.... Really... Anyway I wish you luck.. Bty the comp x tyre is a comp K I raced A gpz back in the day.. Comp k was te sports comp metzler...

[@richardwhelan8060]

What got me interested I was going to bid on that back, descided against it

[@AshRowland]

Thanks! I'll try and make it as interesting as possible

[@leon0]

I like the way you are filming it. I feel like I'm with a mate, chatting away as you go. Be yourself, don't try to copy other KZbinrs.

[@jonathanstyles5033]

Suzuki's GSXR1100 had a higher top speed in 1986. Trevor Nation won the IOM 1986 production TT on one (May 31st to June 6th) Hope this info helps. Best of luck with your project.

[@bananabrooks3836]

Yes, but Geoff Johnson won in '84, Production TT on Gpz900r. An earlier design of bike.

[@AshRowland]

Thanks for the info!

[@leon0]

First, second and third places in the production race - I don't think that has ever been equalled at the TT - with an FJ1100 in fourth. They were truly ground breaking machines and actually comfortable to ride. Unlike the GSXRs ... ​@@bananabrooks3836

[@musiclovr2890]

Don't forget about the turbo gpz

[@AshRowland]

I didn't see that on the list of fastest production bikes 😃

[@musiclovr2890]

Maybe the 900 turbo was aftermarket where as the 750 was factory, it's been a long time lol

[@andymoorhouse8820]

Looking good

[@AshRowland]

Thanks 👍