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)
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As a long time supporter of this channel I can say for myself and I'm sure many others this 5 to 10 seconds of Gus is ridiculous , I mean he is the star of the show!! Lets get him on here more for god sakes!!
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!
"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.
Not recognizing that as a joke makes me think your mental age is higher than 90 or less than 2
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 😊
Showing the mistakes really makes your videos so great. Seeing issues come up and watching you handle them is encouraging.
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!
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
Those Vance & Hines pipes have always sounded the best! Sweet ride, Chris!
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. 😊
The Yammy XS 650 parallel twin was pretty iconic for the day!
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
Changing that oil showed me you don't ride them hard and put them up wet.This was honest and down to earth.
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
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.
@@TXH1138tell me how KZhead works. If based on watched minutes diversifying makes sense. Algorithm wants to see video watched beginning to end therefore 2 channels cover fan base. KZheadrs have successfully operated 2 channels so main channel income is optimized
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. 😃
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
Funny when Gus's ear went inside out 😂😂😂
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.
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. ❤
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.
Those Kawasaki kZ and z1 are awesome bikes…I had several back in the 70’s… thanks for the video buddy…
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!!
That's the reason I want one like toecutters.
That would be one hell of a ride especially the roads NNKH was on 😮😂😂😂
Hi Chris from Sydney Australia. Motorcycles (Kawasaki 1000) Learning outcomes * position of trolley jack, remove split pin, crown end nut and axel. * DIY bead breaking stand, tyre levers, soapy water, remove and replace tube. Puncher repair with improved rim with filling holes (cup head bolts),tape band (duct) and rubber band. *Inflate and install rear wheel: apply sq ft pound (to spec). *Drain hot oil and replace the new filter *Vacuum drain brake fluid, detected abnormalities (rust) fill lines and resivors to bike. * scenic test ride in winding treeline roads, railway and finish with striking ariel drone filming. Personal confidential thoughts * really impressed with the draw and storage system in your shop. The labelling "Holly smokes" Best wishes 🌏🇭🇲
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.
Yep need so work on 1980 Gs750
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!
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 ❤😊
Nope, sorry. It was the KZ750 2 stroke, triple cylinder. I had one : )
78 z1 900
Folks still put 1500 kits in these kz1000’s and they are still competitive. Awesome engines, thanks for the vid👍🙏👋
This video had it all classic bike, covered bridges, steam train and phenomenal roads and scenery, bike sounds great
Fanatic episode mate - love the bike, and would love to see more bike content on your channel. Keep up the great content 👌🏻
The burnout at the end *chefs kiss*. The hero we need, but don't deserve.
🤛🏾😎 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.👍🏽😎🏁🏁🏁
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
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!
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.
I love the 1970s styling.
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.
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. 😸
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.
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.
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.
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.
She's a runner. I agree with your philosophy. Keep going!!
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 !
Love the old vintage bikes…That KZ sound incredible:)
I'm 61 and had a CB750F SS back in the day. Man I'd love to have that KZ.
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😁🦾🔥🔥🔥
I had a 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 Z1R back in 1978, it was the fastest production motorcycle made. for a while.
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 KZhead, so you know to treat the machine with a little respect. Just saying....
another great video! cool drone shots and vintage trains also..forgot how good those 1000 Kaws ran and quick..
couple of psi in the tube can help against pinching
I do enjoy the car content, but no one does motorcycles and motorcycles are my thing. So, this is great.
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.
That exhaust note is fantastic. KZs will forever be cool.
Love the bike and the run thru town was one of my new favs. Almost gone from the area, so your videos will keep me from getting home sick. My best to you and yours.
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!
Yes, great bikes! I had a 78 KZ 750 Standard in 1980. Kerker 4 into one header, that thing would sing!👍
I had a Z1-R, that sound almost makes me cry. Thank you!
“Over” means continued convo/waiting on response “Out” means end convo Never “Over & Out” We can’t know everything but I learn from ur vids & u can learn from comments (sorry it’s Veterans Day almost, bringing up the past memories) Throughly enjoy all ur content & Jen’s stuff & especially “GUS” love watching & supporting the “local guys” Great job Chris !!
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
Fall colors, Trains and a vintage unrestored rider motorcycle. It dosen't get any better.🏍😃
Chris, very nice. On top of seeing the bike run, i saw what beautiful long roads and country you have. Gongrats.
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.
Gawd! That thing sounds good. Brings back some great memories!
I’ve had a couple of them in my time I also found it hard to ride inside city limits. I was either short shifting or speeding. Try riding one of those down the road with a posted 35mph. If you hit second you’re speeding if you rap out first you’re rattling windows and P people off. Open roads nothing but smiles and adrenaline
There's nothing that beats a 70's bike, I have a 1977 Honda CB750 K7, all original and in mint condition. But you must like talking to other people, because everywhere I go people rush up to me and share old memories about them having a CB750 or relatives that had one. This KZ1000 I would take it apart and restore it like mine because it's worth it , the bike's from the first superbikes era are worth more by the day and most important, they are so much fun to drive, because it takes working to drive it and you have more feeling with the bike then modern bike's. Keep the bike and enjoy it because the change to find another one is getting pretty slim today. I love all your vids by the way, seen them all, keep up the good work man.
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
for almost a 50 year old bike, that thing sounds like a beast
Absolutely love the footage you put at the end of the videos
I built a couple of different bead breakers years back out of scrap when I was a welder/fabricator and lived in my workshop . Used an old scissor Jack to help break the beads on the car one I made . Worked pretty good . I’m living in a 1 bed first floor flat now so no workshop . Really do miss being able to work on stuff under a roof (especially this time of year) so get my fix from watching here . Love both the channels 👍
The community that you shot the drone footage of, all I can say is 'WOW' so, so charming. You really live in a beautiful part of PA, I believe that's where you are if I recall you gave your Tundra a bath in the Deleware, a story for the ages and the grandkids...hint, hint another 'WOW' for different reasons, BTW... Just wonderful videography, 1st Class! Five out of 5 's ... A wee late (01/28/2024) viewing but that's the magic of this medium.
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!!
I've loved motorcycles since I first sat on one at age 12. I own an old Ninja zx6 with mods and an older vulcan 500. Just love riding. I know it's not the safest thing. I gave it up for 35 years because people said you will die and I hear on the radio all the time. But at age 50 I couldn't stand it anymore. I bought the one bike for $650 from a buddy in 2017. Vulcan 500 1997 with 1950 miles original tires. Bought the ninja with 8600 miles in 2019 for $1250. I've done my own work and the ninja has required quite a bit but. The vulcan 500 is at 20000 miles now and the ninja at 22000 miles. Again, I know it's not safe but nothing I can afford really feels like riding.
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.
A little hint- inflate the tube until it just barely holds its shape before putting it in the tire. That way it’s pushing out against the inside of the tread of the tire and not near where you are using your tire tools and not near the bead:) Presto, no pinched tubes👋
Great looking and sounding bike. In my opinion the square mirror looked good on it.
Hey Chris, I like the sound of this bike better than your Kawasaki Mach 3 (just watched last night). Just not a big fan of 2-strokes. You need a battery station for those seldom used batteries. Keep the "intelligent charger" on them. I took my motorcycle battery out each fall, put in the basement. Only used the intelligent charger on it. Got 6 years out of that battery. Bike also has an adapter that hangs out so I can hook the charger up even during the summer when I am not using the bike. Funny you mentioned the carbon monoxide issue. I worry about that on all the channels I watch. I find myself yelling at the screen "open the door if your going to run that". I agree with you about not restoring. Bike is not old enough yet anyway. Drive it another ten years then sell it to someone who wants to do a restoration. Thanks for the entertainment.
You really have some of the best KZhead content man.
Perfect timing, I just picked up a 78 KZ1000 last weekend. Thanks for the knowledge!
That's awesome! Good luck with it! I know you'll love it
Thanks for the ride and the nice scenery!!
Awesome as always. That bike is beautiful
awesome video. great drone shots. bike is a classic, worth the love once a year.
Always love watching your channel , brings me back because i grew up in the same area. Really miss it
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!
Love the exhaust note from that Kawasaki. I remember borrowing my brother's KZ900 back in the day. That sound never gets old.
Love that sound, brings back lots of good memories.
You got the perfect attitude, ride it and enjoy it.
Great video, takes me back to my riding years. Especially loved the steam train footage.
Gorgeous roads you hit!
Awesome shelf to the top. No space lost! That battery will probably last another year. Or not. Fall colors over the city/river well done. 😊
Had a 78 Yamaha 750! What a blast! Learned how to ride on it. Thanks for sharing!!!
Great vid Chris! As for the exhaust - another option is a hole in door or out a wall with a hinged cover. I also use a 4" duct fan to pull it out faster (currently vented out the window with an AC panel).
My favorite bike of all time !!!
dont you love how internet experts sitting in their parents basement always have something to say while never holding a wrench
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.
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. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
My 76 KZ 750 was an awesome bike. Good luck with this revival
It's literally not a revival, he has stated this more than once in the video 😂
Great video as always! Thanks for sharing the Fall foliage! 👊
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
when you mentioned the chassis twisting, it reminded me of my old RZ500, that thing was fabulously dangerous :)
I had a 1981 Honda cb 750 and really in joyed riding that bike . Glad you have one . They are really fun to ride !
And your air scenes are fantastic. Thank you, thank you for sharing America with us
KZ1000 and a train..It doesn't get much better than that. Great video.
Started watching this channel because of this bike as I have 81 z750. Love it and look forward to the vids
Awesome bike Chris, please don't get too cuaght up in replying to comments on utube. I have a very strong belief that you know more than most people in your chosen field. Rarely do i find someone i am impressed with. You are one of the few. You do what you know how to your way. We're just here to watch and enjoy what you choose to share with us. We don't have any call to tell you how to do what you do. Thank you for all the great content.
I think its perfect. Nice bike and you do a great job with keeping things mechanically sound.
Remember to respect that bike Chris ....b safe