Description
1974 Kawasaki 1600 V8
Another one of UK engineer Allen Millyard's multi-cylinder masterpieces, this deceptively factory-looking '74 KZ now boasts a one-off 1594cc, 150-hp V8 built from two inline four engines.
Leave a Reply
Share
More
1974 Kawasaki 1600 V8
i had a z-1 back in the day, when i was 18- 19. same trim as above. incredible engine, smooth, responsive at all r.p.m., fast as hell. frame made of rubber. known for going into speed wobble at about 90-100mph if everthing wasn`t tight. pretty scary. my next bike, a suz gs100, which used a basicly slightly-modified z-1 engine, handled far,far better at speed.anyway about this v-8 z-1 somebody`s built here…. i just don`t get it. 160 hp in a chassis that couldn`t handle half that? the same size back tire that forced you to go easy hitting second gear on a stock bike? this isn`t good engineering or good motorcycle building. this is some sort of useless spectacle. why would someone do this?
Sir, I have an in depth history of building and repairing motorcycles and just thought that I would jump in here to let you know, that I found out years ago, while building an old Sportster, that it is the bearings in the yoke of the frame that is causing the VERY dangerous “death wobble”. I found that if the bearings were too loose and the front end “sloppy” you will get the death wobble! Those bearings actually need to have a bit of drag to them for them to operate as they should. I just thought that I would pass that along, so you would not get hurt with the dreaded wobble.
This is truly ‘Art’, and no other word could describe it.
Best I ever did was to harness two yamaha YDS 2 (250cc) twin engines fore and aft into a stretched frame; the original idea came from a NHRA drag bike which had a 3/4″ frame and although I really liked the original, my first frame flexed wayyy too much for a canyon machine.
The available H.P. (!) was
more than one could imagine and am sorry I had to let it go, but a new baby girl and moving to a new place sealed it’s fate, but now have twenty-two vintage bikes along with a ’04 Honda Aero and a 2016 Harley ‘Three Wheeler’ and am thinking about coupling two Bultaco Astro 250/350 CC’s together in a Rickman’s brushed Nickle frame with a custom fork from a ’72 R75/5, dual discs, and a complimentary rear disc to balance it all out and if I manage to get it done this year or next I will submit some ‘pics’ and an article with a basic description of the build.
I Love the old iron, cause it’s what’s put most of us olde farts on the road, and mine was a 64 YDS2 Yamaha 250cc Catalina.
Every time I ride one of my vintage machines it’s like stepping back into time to 1964 when I was eighteen – thank GOD I can still remember that !
I had a 1972 360 Bultaco El Montedero which I raced motocross on over in Spain in the early 70’s. That motor was bullet proof.
Allen Millyard is a legend. Oh to have just a fraction of his talent.