Z1 900 engine rebuild - First Start - Episode 8

In this video I start up the Z1 900 engine after its complete rebuild, and then ride the bike for the first time. The engine has a flat spot midrange feeling like its week on the needle so I remove the needles and raise them one groove to richen the mixture a little bit. The second test ride is much better, the flat spot has gone and its now covered 53 miles and is running perfect with no oil leaks.
Thanks for watching
best regards
Allen

[@randombuilds8336]

Allen Millyard is like the Bob Ross of motorcycles. So calm and skilled while explaining it well.

[@privateer0561]

Hey, you stole that from me! Posted that months ago! Merry Christmas.

[@randombuilds8336]

@@privateer0561 LOL, I'm not surprised it's been said before. It's the same kind of vibe, but motorcycles instead of paint. Merry Christmas to you too.

[@mikef.1000]

Can we all stop referring to Bob Ross? It's become such a blasted cliche!

[@stephenwilliams926]

Except in widescreen

[@erik_dk842]

Who's Bob Ross? Some long forgotten bloke from black and white TV?

[@Free_Ranger_CT110]

Forget blueprinting, Millyarding is a whole other level! So happy I was there to see these iconic Z1s when they were first released. Such a beautiful machine, from any angle. The plastic fantastic, preying mantis bikes of today are not my cup of tea....

[@Maax1200]

They all look the same.

[@splodge5714]

UJM

[@Colin_Ames]

I’m with you on this. The closest I ever got to a sport bike was a Rickman rolling chassis fitted with a Z1B engine, that I built in 1980.

[@tonyduncan9852]

Can't say I disagree with anything you wrote. 😎

[@annon231]

I managed two Kawasaki retail branches in 1972 and I had a Z1 in 1973. Listening to Allan ride his one brought back a vivid flood of memories, just as, hearing a much-loved song "of the day" does. I had forgotten what mine sounded like. Thank you Allen for the memory.

[@1man1guitarletsgo]

Fantastic! That bike looks so clean it could have just come from the factory.

[@Honkawsuzyamal]

Factory finish isn't up to that standard

[@christianannette7615]

Mieux que neuf

[@paulketchupwitheverything767]

@@christianannette7615 C'est vrai.

[@jimclarke1108]

Looks like the Z900 never left the showroom floor🏆Amazing work Al

[@delbertstringbreaker7686]

These videos, like the finished Z1, are absolute works of art! Fantastic from start to finish. A big thank-you to you and your lovely lady!

[@nev7711]

Just viewing Japanese machinery from the 1970s and 1980s and they're solid machines with quality components.

[@monkeybarmonkeyman]

I still can remember the day my local Kawasaki dealer got their first 900, the 'orangeish' colored bike. We're talking a tiny dealership. They pulled it out of their 'maintenance area', put it on the center stand and there, amongst all the triples and single cylinder two strokes, they fired it up. The floor shook with the energy the bike was producing. The stock exhaust system sounded superb, just superb. Quite the motorcycle. Thanks for bringing those memories alive again, Allen.

[@mikeschlup5279]

It sounded brand spanking new!!!

[@steve_colwill]

That has to be the best Z1 in existence. Full stop. Well done Allen and a very Merry Christmas to all!

[@aaronkcmo]

I think Charlie was right pleased with the way that needle valve was handled. Just perfect.

[@user-vq4gk4hx8p]

Fabulous machine, lovingly restored by an equally fabulous mechanic...

[@oldgreybeard2507]

Watch this later. Busy cooking! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@TRISTANorTRIS]

Starting early!

[@garethleitner9547]

Mr. Millyard's videos are infinitely satisfying to watch.

[@Omri.Collects]

Hedgehogs 🦔 are such lovely little creatures, glad you two are looking after them.

[@ratmanmurray7137]

You must be slipping mate? No extra cylinder banks tucked away somewhere? No gigantic pistons and cylinders? Are you ok? Not sick or anything haha Greetings from Australia. Merry Christmas

[@martinstone3656]

That bike is a thing of beauty, loved the old "Zeds"

[@philipspencer1834]

This is my dream bike. I have always wanted one. 😎👍

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Best wishes for 2024 Allen. Dean .

[@soundslikebstome]

I could smell that cake baking from California. Merry Xmas.

[@geraldineold3641]

Great work Alan. I enjoyed your journey rebuilding the engine. Wish yourself and Tracy Happy Christmas best wishes for 2024.

[@ghostdancer6310]

One of the best rated bikes back in the days, my kind of ride.

[@smellbag]

Another remarkable restoration. Arise Sir Allen Millyard into the annals of motordom!

[@Chris-bee]

It looks better and sounds better than new, all credit to you

[@DeereX748]

It makes me cry to watch this. Such a beautiful restoration, inside and out. I cry because I had one of these from 1978-1985 and I MISS IT.

[@phensriwood8081]

Remember uncrating these when new, drove many of them for the first time.

[@bunkie2100]

Now, that’s what I call a Christmas Present!

[@gunshaft]

“It’s really fiddley at first but you get there in the end” needs to be on a tshirt

[@fz1205]

Allen finishes every sentence ending with the word "Perfect"! 😂

[@AllenMillyard]

Perfect 🙂

[@user-sy4gy6cz7z]

Allen Millyard is prof if you want to get ahead in life there is nothing better than good old fashioned hard work.

[@julianlyons711]

Well said for the bob ross comment ,,, what a great guy Alan is

[@Brick-Top]

Christmas just got better 🎉

[@ironhorsehero1988]

An Allen Millyard Z1 and a Tracey Christmas cake, surely a video from heaven.

[@karloskelly]

Always wonderful to hear a bike with proper mufflers!

[@aggieengineer2635]

The motorcycle was great fun to watch, but darn, I would surely like a piece of that cake.

[@ttburn6338]

Merry Christmas, Allen! Thank you for all of your wonderful videos!

[@kymmarshall1116]

The Z1 has a very unique sounding exhaust note. Music to the ears.

[@budlistar5312]

It’s late afternoon on Christmas day, all the kids and grandkids are gone, the house Is quiet again. Time to watch Mr. Millyard. Aaaaaa happiness in my little place in the world.

[@dennis38y]

Nice one Allen, the perfect Christmas present for us all ! Thank you as always.

[@martinda7446]

Just mentioned by Jay Leno!!! He had a Jaguar XK13 replica and ''Allen Millyard'' popped out and he was praising you. Wow.

[@johnward3490]

Now this is a welcome distraction 😉

[@leebrown6153]

Nothing sounds better then that Kawasaki 900 with that Vance & Hines exhaust

[@tonymarkey6525]

The Z1 is just such a beautiful bike. It’s one of those you could just sit and look at for hours, lovely and even better with the Millyard touch!!

[@phensriwood8081]

Went to tool shops for JIS screwdrivers, sales staff just gave me a dumb look.

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

Google on line sales?

[@erik_dk842]

Giving the clueless dumb look since the bike was new. It took until the internet before the first intrigued bikers learned about JIS screwdrivers, but dimwit's still insist that it's just a matter of forcing a "quality" Phillips screwdriver into the JIS screwheads. "Them Japanese screwheads are made from cheese 🧀"

[@thewatcher5271]

Not To Sound Too Dramatic But You Are THE K-Master! I've Seen Your Other Videos Where You Saw Them In Half! My Wife Enjoyed The Segment Of Your Wife's Baking Expertise. Thank You.

[@animalian01]

Happy Christmas Allen

[@user-de8bu5es6f]

Wow, I have been thinking for 10 minutes that Tracy might be making Alan some turkey cookie cakes and suddenly, a new Alan video. Have a great Christmas.

[@simonlunt353]

This bike not only sounds great but looks a work of art another masterpiece Allan 😊

[@hoost3056]

Wow. Just listening to this engine on start up shows the difference between Mr. Millyard and regular folks. She runs JUST PERFECT😊

[@rdaystrom4540]

Tracy using a spoke to test doneness was not lost on me.😂The Hedgehog scene was priceless.

[@johngaller278]

Youre amazing Allen. People who know me think I know alot about motorcycles. I always say I know of this guy that really does... His name is Allen Millyard. May I offer one unsolicited bit of advice? Ok. Place a small cotter pin through the rubber nipples of the side covers on any Z bike. This thwarts any chance of them flipping off at speed. They will do that as they catch air easily.

[@paulboyle6857]

Of course it will start immediately Allen,you built it,!!!

[@Bevoin1970]

What an absolutely gorgeous looking machine. I love it!! - Damn it! I'd even go so far as to say I'd Buy it! 🙂

[@loddude5706]

Beautiful bike, beautiful people, AND a kick-start hedgehog - Here's to all of them making the UK New Year Honors list! : )x

[@bjoernandersen8287]

I was waiting for Mrs. Millyard's cupcakes and a nice cup of tea. Nope, not this time. Great video as always, thanks for sharing.

[@ZX14RHedgehogWorkshop]

Anyone else come for the bikes but also really look forward to the Hedgehogs at the end ? 🦔 Brilliant stuff Mr Millyard

[@petercook7502]

That Sir has turned out wonderfully. Bikes of that era are so much better visually than most modern bikes. Bet the Christmas cake was just as good 🎅👍

[@darrenwoodley6851]

I know how Charlie Weaver feels as he and I are the same age. Happy New Year to you all, keep sampling those cakes and thanks for the videos.

[@Wil_Liam1]

I can't believe Traci!! She just walked right past the bike and didn't even stop to admire it or his work !! 😂

[@AllenMillyard]

she sees it every day

[@jdahack7367]

Lovely video. Thanks again for the entertainment all year. Wish you all the best.

[@keithallen4389]

Brilliant, Allen, what a beautiful example of workmanship. Hope they use it in the trade schools. Loved the cake too!

[@flyingeye9133]

Allen's videos has everything motorcycles wildlife and cooking 🤗

[@fidelcatsro6948]

All rounder video

[@Banditmanuk]

Best Christmas present ever seeing a new Allen Millyard video. Engine looks and sounds brilliant.

[@JW0149]

Thank you so much for this series. I have an original unrestored one-owner Z1B with 80K+ and it has never been apart, never failed physically. Now I know what it looks like! A sidecar Z1 racer in 1990+ told me to set shims at best then never run above 9K ever and never touch cam box again. I did that in 1992 and have not touched it again since, some 30 years. Ho hummm. Should you be so inclined, then Honda CBR600D/E/F fork internals fit in and give you two way damping. Just excellent. Good work that man!

[@jeffshootsstuff]

A fresh Millyard video. A Christmas miracle!❤

[@charlesphillips8635]

Alan may be like Bob Ross but he doesn’t have happy little accidents😊

[@mineblock9024]

Brilliant! Christmas just got a little bit better!

[@yellowbelly8402]

Had a feed pop on my Facebook and inventor Charles Goodyear who invented vulcanisation of rubber 180 years back. He looked looked uncannily like you Al😢You been time travelling 😂

[@richardwild-jones8147]

I’d give up my Christmas pudding to watch Alan’s rebuilds. Simply enthralling and the hedgehog finished things off to perfection. Encore Alan.

[@stevetaylor9265]

Beautiful bike.

[@lee4847]

Merry Christmas to everyone ❤.. Looking forward to watching this

[@SpiritintheSky.]

This marvellous series has shown close up what an tremendous 'bike the Kawasaki Z1 was for its time. A 'bike we British would have been proud to have produced ourselves.

[@grahamsengineering.2532]

There was an Australian Movie made back in the 70's called Stone. These Z9 and Z1,s were very popular.

[@nigelpritchard994]

All ways enjoy your videos,keep them coming 👍

[@888johnmac]

one of the many things i love about an Allen Millyard video .. he almost never uses power tools , very soothing

[@alanbond1269]

Breath and relax watching Allen Millyard. It's a piece of art every time

[@pauleverest5750]

The Happy Hedghog. 👍👍 And a Perfect Bike.

[@ramishrambarran3998]

Great job ! The 900 looks like it just came out of the showroom........even shinier ! The sound of the 900/1000 starter and engine firing up, is unique in the motorcycle world. For me, this is what a motorcycle should be. Love the underside view of the passing asphalt and the exhaust pipes working their butts off to keep the engine breathing ! Trinidad & Tobago. West Indies.

[@andytownsend9163]

Yep birds seem to scoff the food. There are no hedgehogs here yet, so I can't comment on those. Engine sounds sweet, interesting info about the aviation fuel. Cheers Alan ❤❤

[@paulthompson8613]

Thanks for the surprise on Christmas day . Enjoy your day also .🌲🌲🦔🦔🧁🧁

[@markfalshaw-gv9im]

Beautiful bike exactly the same as my own i only wish i hadn't sold it when the children came along but i had no choice we needed a car ,but one day maybe ,thanks for great videoes Allen you ars the man ,cheers.

[@johnnyblue4799]

Great bike and looking so clean and pristine. Then there's the well timed kitchen incursion... I always expect Tracy to hit you softly with a wooden spoon when you go divulging her secrets and especially when you steal cupcakes...

[@jackf5941]

I love your hedgehogs Allen! Always makes me smile seeing their little bodies running around!

[@margarita8442]

AVO 8 ? classic like the bike !!

[@yamahappy1730]

Sump Cam was excellent !

[@richardharker2775]

My older brother bought one of these new when I was 17. I took it out for a quick run and the power really scared me. This build has brought back memories. Thank you Allen and Merry Christmas to you and Tracy. Watching those cakes being made had me scrounging the kitchen for a tea and biscuit.

[@ccrider8483]

I remember a similar experience. I had a 750 4 cylinder Honda and a friend bought a new Z900 and I was very impressed with it's performance. It was truly a step forward from the 750 Honda. The mechanic at the local motorcycle dealership ended up with the bike and put over 100K miles on it commuting to work.

[@acerforge3882]

Waves of nostalgia for me. I rode and raced a very tatty Z1 in the seventies. Usually first arriving at the first corner then dropping back because it didn't want to go round any corners, especially high speed ones which could be terrifying. I did do a bit of tuning but without any of your skill or patience! I doubt that you will want to ride this beauty in the rain, but if you do be prepared for a front brake which doesn't like water - but I'm sure you know that already.

[@Maax1200]

Cant wait to get my Z1A -74 back on the road. This series will really help me on the way there.👍 Happy Xmas everyone.🎁🎄

[@THE-BZILLA]

wow that is so clean nice job. keep up the gr8 work

[@louisgara8754]

I was well pleased to find this video on Christmas day! Excellent in every way. I really enjoy the "accessories" - Tracy's baking, the hedgehogs, Charley Weaver's bar.

[@paul-thomasjewell2163]

Wonderful Allen - So enjoyable to watch (and learn!).

[@robertwragg9224]

Hi dude always happy to see your videos never a dull moment engineering / cooking & finish off with a bit of garden watching. Top show , I have a machine shop & hedgehogs visiting keep the videos coming dude.

[@davidlutton4560]

Always love your simple, informative and no-nonsense approach to motorcycling. Riding that beautuful Z900 was simply 'the icing on the cake' (if you excuse the pun😂). I wish you, your wife and family a very Happy Christmas and New Year and look forward your next uploads in '24. Take care for now.

[@bear-tv]

Beautiful bike. I love kawasaki from this period. Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 🎁

[@Mike-hu8yz]

I love Kawasaki.

[@markgreenhow7953]

It must be nice to have the confidence the re assembled engine will run just as well as it did when it left the factory.

[@shaundadson8302]

That's a thing of engineering beauty Allen - such a lovely job.

[@sly2392]

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALLEN. hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday. 🏍 🌟 ☃ ⛄ ✝ 🏁🌲

[@cooper68ns]

I said it before allen, but I am going to say it again the shots of the chrome pipes from the front .....stunning, merry Christmas.

[@YKB6.9]

MERRY CHRISTMAS ,UNCLE ALLEN

[@jimallmondsr3467]

You are an expert! I certainly wish you were here in Indianapolis to help me fix up this old H-1 500!

[@GivathBrenner]

I owned one.....a 73 Z1 900. Different colour tank(tomato orange) and engine(matte black) but identical. Purchased it in 78 and sold it in 1983. I put a Gerex electronic ignition in it and Koni shocks. It was fast but very stable. My wife said to me," Blair....you should hold on to it". I thought I'd be the responsible new husband and sell it. I wish I had listened to her. Too bad the comments section doesn't allow for pictures to be posted. I enjoyed your engine rebuild clips Mr. Millyard. Mr. Phillips Canada Retired