TOPIC:

Can anyone tell me if there any differences in the frame of the standard 77-79 KZ1000 and the Ltd. Can a Ltd be made to look like a standard KZ ?

Thanks,

Clive

The only visible difference in the frames that I can see are the passenger foot-peg/silencer-mounting supports. Ltd's did not come with a center stand but the lugs are still there to put one on. I believe also that the swingarm pivot tube has double needle rollers as opposed to bronze bushings (please correct me if I am wrong here ........if anyone knows for sure)

I have been wondering the same thing. I have a 1978 1000 LTD but I don't have an A model to compare it to. I just got a copy of the Kawasaki workshop manual. It doesn't come right out and list what the differences are but it does list the specs. According to the spec page, The length and height of the bikes are the same, but the A is wider? (875mm A vs. 830mm anyways the ground clearance is 155mm on LTD vs 160 on A. The other number I could find was the Castor angle (rake?)is 64 degrees on LTD vs.26 degrees on A model. Also the LTD rear wheel is 16'' vs. 18 on the A model. I remember hearing that the forks are different, so I'm guessing that the differences in height, rake , and ground clearance are due to the different fork length and rear wheel size, and that the difference in width is due to the handlebars.

Fork length i believe is the same, rake is the same 64/26 are measured opposite of each other, the differences are the headlight mount, front turn signals, dual disc mags, grab bar and seat, and the gas tank.

Change the gas tank, grab a flat seat and the shorter grab rail, ditch the ltd mount and get a set of fork ears with stalk style turn signals and toss on some spoke wheels, and minus the passenger peg mounts nobody would notice the difference unless you told them.

This is what I'm doing to my new to me 79kz1000ltd.
I was able to fit all parts from my 77 A Model with no problems.
I'm looking for 18in rear wheel as I post and already have a A Model tank on the way.

The front fender is shorter on the LTD.

TomW wrote: The front fender is shorter on the LTD.

The early KZ1000 A and B models have different rear fenders also.