1974 Kawasaki Z1A - quick review after a few weeks

In this video we give you our quick review of the 1974 Kawasaki Z1A. All up we had the bike for a few weeks and we feel that this was enough time to give you our opinion of this bike.

Thank you to The Classic Competition Company for sponsoring this video production.

For a 15% discount enter CLASSIC15 at the checkout.

// ABOUT THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE CHANNEL
The Classic Motorcycle Channel is for people who love classic, modern classic, vintage and antique motorcycles. We are passionate about classic motorcycles and produce high quality motorcycle profile videos, restoration videos, workshop vlogs, restorer profiles and also anything that takes our interest.

The Classic Motorcycle Channel has three YouTube channels:
- main YouTube channel - @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel
- second YouTube channel - @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel2
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//COPYRIGHT
All our photo and video content is original work and copyright to The Classic Motorcycle Channel. We DO NOT give you permission to copy our work for any purpose.

// A BIG THANK YOU TO
- Josh and the team at The Classic Competition Company for asking us to produce this video.
Facebook: @theclassiccompetitioncompany
Instagram: @theclassiccompetitioncompany
- Jo Hart for shooting a lot of the photos and videos of Alex on the bike.
- Merlin for gifting Alex with the Edale jacket to wear in this video.
Facebook: @merlinbikegear
Instagram: @merlinbikegear
- Alex Rollings for producing the video.
YouTube: @motofilmer
Instagram: @motofilmer

// IMAGE CREDITS
- 1978 Kawasaki Z1000 Z1-R - SG2012 - no changes
- 1982 Kawasaki KZ1000R Z-1R - Rainmaker47 - no changes
- Kawasaki Z900 1976 - Mick from Northamptonshire, England - no changes
- Kawasaki Z900 RS - Tokumeigakarinoaoshima - no changes

#classicmotorcycle
#kawasakiz1a
#classicmotorcycles

[ralfrainfurth]

Maybe one of the best looking bikes ever, and a quick bike with a beautiful sound 👌

[jeffcarpenter]

Always loved the completely exposed beautiful engines on these bikes and the size of the bike. Ashamed those good old days went by so fast. Glad to see them being restored and appreciated.

[BikerTorque]

Love the Z1, in fact I love most Kwaka’s from that era. Nice video, the paint on that bike certainly is gorgeous

[petemoss]

What a great bike, I had a z650, and loved it!

[drn]

I've had my z1b for nearly 40 years and still love it

[lovingmylifeasIage]

Sure brings back memories. Blasting around town on my 76 KZ900 LTD in 1978.

[BlueMarbleRider]

Looks gorgeous and sounds great too. Thanks for the video.

[bradkorando]

Fantastic bike and great to hear both your and Dave's opinions. The torque comparison of the 4 cylinder bike to the twins and triples is spot on. The riding experience between them is quite different and I noticed it too when I moved from a Sportster to my 1971 CB750K1. I found little to no need for a tach when riding the Sportster whereas I've come to keep an eye on the revs when I happen to be riding the CB750 in traffic in order to keep it near the powerband. The smoothness of the 4 cylinder is absolutely wonderful. Thanks for presenting this video. I look forward to seeing more like it!

[gmv]

I actually owned a Ducati 750S back in 1974, but had a ride on a friend’s Z1 and was impressed with the power but not the handling and brakes. Now I’ve got a 2018 Z900RS Jaffa I bought new, and I’d have to say it is so much better in power (110 HP), handling and brakes. You’re expect that after 50 years though. The looks of the Z900RS have grown on me too, it is superbly made. However with all the electronics and wiring, I wonder if it will last as long as the original, simpler Z1.

[chuckcts-v]

The 1974 Z1 only had one front disc brake. I bought new in 1974 a Z1, cost, $2100, $2400 out the door. The Z1 was the fastest street bike in the world in 1974. Kept till appx. 2010 sold it for $8200. Road it back from Florida to Northern Kentucky in 1975, 95 to 105 mph while on the express way. It was getting less than 30 mpg, at those speeds, had to get fuel every hour.

[Supercruze]

Beautiful Z1. First of the Super Bikes of the 1970s. If I could own one vintage bike from this era, it would be the Kawasaki Z1 900 or the Honda CB750. Cheers.

[paulbiddulph]

Great review, I remember the Z1 when they first came out in the 1970s. I love your channel and I also would like to see more 70s 80s and 90s bikes featured along side the older bikes, plus the retro classic bikes. I own a 1978 Honda CX500 which I have restored, a 2012 Triumph Bonneville T100 and a modern 2012 Suzuki DL650 VStrom. Keep up the great work.

[JohnB]

US Spec Bikes had short rear mudguard, side reflectors on forks and rear shocks and no passenger grab strap etc.

[TheChrysler]

Beautiful 1970’s Kawasaki’s. No need to go like a looney through the bends when you can make pace on the straight. I love these old bruisers.

[stephenmartin]

As a young boy the Z was the bike that attracted me to motorcycles. Years later I would be the proud owner of a ZR 1100 R (Zephyr) I consider it the grandchild of the original Z. 😊

[chrismoody]

I have owned a 75’ Z1B for 34 years now. 14000+ on the clock. The seller had no idea of the value of the bike. I literally stole it for $50. New tires, chain and sprockets, new intake manifold boots lots of cleaning and polishing. It still turns head everywhere I go.

[michaelarchangel]

The 1976 Z900 had two teeth less on the rear sprocket for a slightly less busy feel in top gear. Mine was written off and rebuilt as a Rickman cafe racer.

[TheBezaleel]

Very nice, but the GPZ750 turbo was also something special, had one for two years.

[Themeister]

Great video, you should also try the z650, little brother to the z900, another brilliant Kawasaki.

[stonecold]

Great Bike i love it! Be great to see a Kawasaki Ballington 250. I'm sure you would like that bike. Got my ticket and fingers crossed for the draw. Great content thanks.