I lived with 2 z1 riders (friend and his girlfriend ,2bikes ),in cairns australia 1975 he looked like frank zappa ,and she like marylin monroe ,she wore only a mini dress black leather jacket girlie shoes,he a black leather jacket ,levis and bike boots,.theyed both leave for work together each day,and return together each evening,what a sight and sound it was,truly amazing!
These are incredibly comfortable and power delivery, at least stock, always felt electric smooth to me. I restored a 74' about 12 years ago now. It was great for long, all day rides.
I have a '74 Z-1 900, a buddy of mine gave me, a '75 Z-1 900 B, I bought for $450.00 back in 1995!!! My latest is a '76 KZ900 LTD, I raced this bike on the streets of Philadelphia back in the '80s and early '90s, sold it, got it back in 2018, in the process of restoring back to 1976 original!!! Kawasaki let the good times roll, 4 real and 4ever!!!
Having met Billy I'm glad you are incorporating him into more videos , The summary of his past history says clearly "All American Bad Ass" as well as a really nice guy
I've got a Z1 and a Z1B. I go out regularly on bike rides with bikes that are less than 20 yo and they still hold their own. They are really great bikes but if you get one make sure you're ready for fans from back in the day! 🇬🇧
Damn! Both of those style bikes were badass bikes. My Dad had 2 Kawasaki 2 stroke Triples. The 350 and 500. I liked them all, but always preferred the 750 widowmakers. Particularly the purple ones. They make me drool. They are badass bikes, with violent powerbands. Great for racing in a straight line. Not good for cornering on a track. Take Care Brother!
That was a real screamer when it came out. I had a new 74 Yamaha RD 350A and none of my friends could take my bike 0 to 60. That includes all the Harleys, Honda 750's, Norton's. they had until one of them got this bike. He could just leave me in the dust right from the start. It was a rocket! Probably even fast compared to many big bikes today. That's a collector though. I wouldn't want to ride that every day. It's just too nice.
Ebay UK 🇬🇧, there's a few in all conditions ranging from £8k to £18k UK Sterling, they imported Thousands 🇬🇧 in the 70s, lots of bikes lots of spares and lots of blokes in sheds with lathes who can make you anything. 🇬🇧❤️🇺🇸
Thanks for all the accolades about the Z1. My 75’ in the garage is smiling. Unfortunately I can’t claim to be so pristine, I installed the ubiquitous 4/1 header and the original paint was destroyed sitting out doors. But it’s a nice aqua marine blue though lacking stripes. 14,000 miles and engine has never been disassembled nor does it need it.
Glad to hear your bikes sales are mostly staying in the US. I know the Japanese have taken a huge number of knuckles, pans, and shovels from America. They pay top dollar and have a huge thirst for old motorcycles. Kind of sad to see.
Love the old air cooled machines. The exhaust flanges are even finished and finned. My 24 Z 900rs se is liquid cooled but importantly to me has polished fins on two outboard cylinder heads. Flying down the highway on a genuine Kawasaki “ how sweet it is “.
Que maravilha essa moto, é o meu sonho, dream, desde criança. Meu vizinho era mecanico, tinha uma oficina ao lado da minha casa em Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil e eu ficava admirando. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👍🏽👍🏽🇧🇷
That sounds awesome! I wonder what gave those older Kawasaki the "Jetson mobile" sound? Seems like that all of that vintage Kawasaki had that whistle in their exhaust. Great running bikes!
The crankshaft uses roller bearings instead of journals and the gearbox has straight cut gears. Those give the engine that mechanical whirring sound that we love.
I just recently watched the movie Stone, and this bike was in it then I realized it was the same bike my neighbor used to ride to work, it was a very nice looking bike and had a good sound. From what I read, a good one like that one in the video is worth 50 grand.
Nie mehr wird es eine Zeit und ein Motorrad geben, welches soviele Emotionen bewirken konnte. Dazu kam die Musik der 70 er: Siehe Video von CCR Sweet Hitch Hiker... Leider war es damals "nur" eine CB 450
900 had bad wobble over 110 most did from lack of decent tires,but also had terrible clutch shudder if you got on it from take off.1000 motors were bad about clutch shudder to.the best modd imo is the 750 Ltd bottom end with gpz top end.tune it right and it smokes 900s n 1000s all day..mine sure did but it took a minute to get it to stay on one wheel.
100% agree. Most new bikes look like two wheel space age motorcycles. I'm old school. These bikes and the KZ 900's from the 70's were musclebike monsters!
The original widow maker was the Kawasaki H1 500 Mach 111. The 750 H2 claimed the title after that. My first bike was a Green 73 H1 Mach 111 which I traded on a second hand 75 Z1B 900 in 1976. Great bikes. I still have a 1975 Z1B 900 in original condition and ride it whenever I get a chance, which is not nearly often enough. When I was a kid we called the Z1 900 a "900 Duck". Aussie's shorten everything, Duck was a reference to 'Kwaka', which was a shortened name for Kawasaki. That is a great looking bike in the video though definitely not an original colour scheme.
Stunning, I'd put a yellow 4into1 exhaust on her cut off the rear fender and tie a sleeping bag roll to the handlebars, then it's MADMAX mode 😎💪, maybe I'd leave the rear because she's so beautiful and just remove the blinkers
I lived with 2 z1 riders (friend and his girlfriend ,2bikes ),in cairns australia 1975 he looked like frank zappa ,and she like marylin monroe ,she wore only a mini dress black leather jacket girlie shoes,he a black leather jacket ,levis and bike boots,.theyed both leave for work together each day,and return together each evening,what a sight and sound it was,truly amazing!
This 900 was the dragstrip king for many years . The motors were tough as nails and with some tweaking unbeatable . PK
These are incredibly comfortable and power delivery, at least stock, always felt electric smooth to me.
I restored a 74' about 12 years ago now. It was great for long, all day rides.
I have a '74 Z-1 900, a buddy of mine gave me, a '75 Z-1 900 B, I bought for $450.00 back in 1995!!! My latest is a '76 KZ900 LTD, I raced this bike on the streets of Philadelphia back in the '80s and early '90s, sold it, got it back in 2018, in the process of restoring back to 1976 original!!! Kawasaki let the good times roll, 4 real and 4ever!!!
Z1A stunner , the metal flake in the paint wasn’t as big as this , but the rest is meticulous .. best exhaust looks & sound of any motorbike period.
Having met Billy I'm glad you are incorporating him into more videos , The summary of his past history says clearly "All American Bad Ass" as well as a really nice guy
My dad bought one from new. Had the motor worked over by pops Yoshimura. He crashed it and repaired it but later sold it in late 70s.
I've got a Z1 and a Z1B. I go out regularly on bike rides with bikes that are less than 20 yo and they still hold their own. They are really great bikes but if you get one make sure you're ready for fans from back in the day! 🇬🇧
KAPLAN AMERICA, I worked at Manchester Honda/Kawasaki for many years as a tech. Only bikes faster than the 900 were the Kawasaki 2-stroke triples.
Damn! Both of those style bikes were badass bikes. My Dad had 2 Kawasaki 2 stroke Triples. The 350 and 500. I liked them all, but always preferred the 750 widowmakers. Particularly the purple ones. They make me drool. They are badass bikes, with violent powerbands. Great for racing in a straight line. Not good for cornering on a track. Take Care Brother!
On my bucket list. A 22 year old in our hood had one. He and i snuck a few hotvride on it. We were workin' our ANGELS overtime......
There is a painter in almost every town that can pull off this paint job but you got to find him and get out your checkbook
Old school perfection, amazing motor and transmission, sit on the freeway at 120mph ALL WEEK
Can it go faster than 120?
135ish@@dylanplumley280
Mine goes 160😊 Not stock however.
@@danburque7555 🤡
That was a real screamer when it came out. I had a new 74 Yamaha RD 350A and none of my friends could take my bike 0 to 60. That includes all the Harleys, Honda 750's, Norton's. they had until one of them got this bike. He could just leave me in the dust right from the start. It was a rocket! Probably even fast compared to many big bikes today. That's a collector though. I wouldn't want to ride that every day. It's just too nice.
All My God!!!,That 900 Kaw is Absolutely Freaking Beautiful!!!
A fully restored 1973 went for $52,000 a few weeks ago at Mecum Auction.
Ebay UK 🇬🇧, there's a few in all conditions ranging from £8k to £18k UK Sterling, they imported Thousands 🇬🇧 in the 70s, lots of bikes lots of spares and lots of blokes in sheds with lathes who can make you anything. 🇬🇧❤️🇺🇸
Z 900 the king of bikes 👍
Sounds just like the awesome bikes in the original Mad Max movie. Can't beat a good old Kwikasfuki Z1
My 76 KZ900LTD was red and fast, I loved that bike!!!
Beautiful. I owned a Z1 in the 1980s and I wish I could afford to get another.
What a sound from those exhausts... She's a real beauty ...
Z900 is best looking bike ever in my opinion 👌
They were great motorcycles, but they had one flaw. Frame flex during cornering. The recall frame gussets, and a steering damper cured that.
Thanks for all the accolades about the Z1. My 75’ in the garage is smiling. Unfortunately I can’t claim to be so pristine, I installed the ubiquitous 4/1 header and the original paint was destroyed sitting out doors. But it’s a nice aqua marine blue though lacking stripes. 14,000 miles and engine has never been disassembled nor does it need it.
Man you guys just blow my mind with your classic bikes..💯💯💯💯💯
Glad to hear your bikes sales are mostly staying in the US. I know the Japanese have taken a huge number of knuckles, pans, and shovels from America. They pay top dollar and have a huge thirst for old motorcycles. Kind of sad to see.
🔥just a beautiful bike, back in the day if you had 900 u we’re rocking and rolling down the highway 🛣 🔥👊🔥🏍🔨⚙️
Still do. I’ve had youngster’s ask what is that.
The Z1 reminds us that modern superbikes are disappointingly over-styled and ugly.
Love the old air cooled machines. The exhaust flanges are even finished and finned.
My 24 Z 900rs se is liquid cooled but importantly to me has polished fins on two outboard cylinder heads.
Flying down the highway on a genuine Kawasaki “ how sweet it is “.
Beautiful bike! 😍❤️🎨 just noticed the Big Frog too!! Onya Gentlemen. 💪🏼👊🏼🏡
If it's good enough for Wez in 1982's The Road Warrior, then it's the best. Man, you get the best bikes.
Absolutely stunning machine 👍👍
One of the best from UJM... (Imho)
Sweet looking Bike....
You have some of the most gorgeous amazing motorcycles I’ve seen in years. What a blessing.
Absolutely stunning
God bless America 💪
Que maravilha essa moto, é o meu sonho, dream, desde criança.
Meu vizinho era mecanico, tinha uma oficina ao lado da minha casa em Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil e eu ficava admirando.
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👍🏽👍🏽🇧🇷
What a sound of the mighty Zs!
These and H2 two strokes haul the mail ! ❤️
That sounds awesome! I wonder what gave those older Kawasaki the "Jetson mobile" sound? Seems like that all of that vintage Kawasaki had that whistle in their exhaust. Great running bikes!
The crankshaft uses roller bearings instead of journals and the gearbox has straight cut gears. Those give the engine that mechanical whirring sound that we love.
the look of the bike and man is THE match ! 🔥
I love that color green 😍!!!
Beautiful just beautiful.
Back in the day the first thing people would do is take those pipes off and put a 4 into 1 on. Now we realise those pipes make the look of the bike.
I have a 75 and am looking for those pipes
I just recently watched the movie Stone, and this bike was in it then I realized it was the same bike my neighbor used to ride to work, it was a very nice looking bike and had a good sound. From what I read, a good one like that one in the video is worth 50 grand.
I remember my Daddy had one of this same color and my Uncle had a Suzuki 650 2 stroke,was many years ago..❤
This bike and the KZ turned a whole generation into Kawasaki fans
Nie mehr wird es eine Zeit und ein Motorrad geben, welches soviele Emotionen bewirken konnte. Dazu kam die Musik der 70 er: Siehe Video von CCR Sweet Hitch Hiker... Leider war es damals "nur" eine CB 450
I'm watching this and having a feeling I've never had before. Freaking wow
Cool bike. Is Billy related to the Kaplan clan? He's a good addition to the crew.
A "Classic Bike" or a "Classic Car" Never goes out of fashion in my estimation.
amazing- love the glitterpaint !!
Metallic
H2 and Z1 for the win hands down
THAT PAINTTT!!! 😵😵😵
Beautiful bike....and love your way with words fantastic
Thanks a ton
My 2020 z900rs paint scheme is a copy of this bike's. I would absolutely love to have the Z1. Gorgeous.
900 had bad wobble over 110 most did from lack of decent tires,but also had terrible clutch shudder if you got on it from take off.1000 motors were bad about clutch shudder to.the best modd imo is the 750 Ltd bottom end with gpz top end.tune it right and it smokes 900s n 1000s all day..mine sure did but it took a minute to get it to stay on one wheel.
billwiththeb, there was a recall for the frame flex wobble problem. The recall process cured the problem.
Great bike...I had a 75.....but watch out for that famous z/wobble that can kill you.
That looks better than the new ones
100% agree. Most new bikes look like two wheel space age motorcycles. I'm old school. These bikes and the KZ 900's from the 70's were musclebike monsters!
You can buy complete new paint sets for these for 73 74 75 models
I owned one exactly like that. I wish I still owned it.
I forgot CB750 gets a good nod
My first exposure to one of these bike's was the movie Stone then Mad Max
ua-cam.com/video/umClLowNHtA/v-deo.html
Stone was a great movie
The king of the king motorcycles 👍
Beautiful!!!! I rode the piss out of my ‘76 900 LTD.. But that one is gorgeous!!!
Несмотря на годы шикарный мотоцикл!!!
Had a 76 miss it every day
We call them the Z1 A down here. '75 is the Z1 B, the '76 is a Z900. How much, do you send to Oz?
Love your channel, but pls guys, wear helmets. You're an example. :))
You forgot to say it's also a movie star, you can see it at Mad Max 1 starred by Mel Gibson back in 1976...
Oh my God! One dream of motorcycle. My dream.
When they came out it was called the widow maker. Nice ride 👍
The two stroke triples were known as "widow makers".
750 triple was the widow maker
The original widow maker was the Kawasaki H1 500 Mach 111. The 750 H2 claimed the title after that. My first bike was a Green 73 H1 Mach 111 which I traded on a second hand 75 Z1B 900 in 1976. Great bikes. I still have a 1975 Z1B 900 in original condition and ride it whenever I get a chance, which is not nearly often enough. When I was a kid we called the Z1 900 a "900 Duck". Aussie's shorten everything, Duck was a reference to 'Kwaka', which was a shortened name for Kawasaki. That is a great looking bike in the video though definitely not an original colour scheme.
Have you got one in right hand drive? as I live in Australia 🇦🇺
Wow wow👌my color too
Would you look at that !!
Ken Kaplan 2024 !!
My childhood friend ugeine loved doing wheelys 5 gear standing up chin on the gauges
beautiful !
they didn't come w dual disk ...
Could b the nicest in the world.I can't see anything wrong .
I want one ! Use to ride a kz 900
Ηow much cost o bike like this?
WANTED one really bad
WOW!! A real beauty!
I am in Australia what would that sell for in the states just ball park cheers have not seen better 👍
I love it! A want z900 have honda 750 supersport and i love it but my dream is always 900 z1. Anders i Sweden
Looks like this bike was done by Johnny's Vintage
Any idea on where that one was purchased from?
Reason I ask is because my dad just sold 3 to a guy in Ohio and still has two more to sell.
On you tube a must see "Kawasaki z900 testing USA/ so far so fast" they thrash the pants of them.
im in love!
I prefer 4n'1 sounds much better:)
I have a 76 kz 900 a 77 kz1000 and a 78 kz1000 and just bought a 2018 z900rs
Should by that Kaplan for yourself
That bike or one just like it sold for 50k this year the owner name i can’t remember but he sold a 73-74-75 and i believe one more almost 150k
I'd like to have that sitting next to my zx14
True
cool ass bike!
BREATHTAKING!!!! Sigh 🙏
Very nice bike
Boys yeah are getting to excited about that Z900....
Nice Bike
Stunning, I'd put a yellow 4into1 exhaust on her cut off the rear fender and tie a sleeping bag roll to the handlebars, then it's MADMAX mode 😎💪, maybe I'd leave the rear because she's so beautiful and just remove the blinkers
UNOBTAINIUM 💎