KZ Models and where to start????

Hello All!
I am a new member and I have just decided that I would like to built a street fighter/Rat bike from a KZ1000. After looking around at some of the many pics of bikes on this site, (nice I may add)!, I am a bit confused on what year (thinking 77 or 78) model I should start with. I recently just turned down a 82 LTD which was out of my price range and did not have the look of some of the racier bikes I've seen. I understand that the earlier bikes are where I should start my project bike. CSR, B, A1, A2?? I'm lost and I would like to have a clear picture of the difference between models and which has the better engines to start with. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and I look forward to some day posting my project bike. ....Alan

Post edited by: KZ1000RAT, at: 2006/06/28 13:18

Post edited by: KZ1000RAT, at: 2006/06/28 13:19

Welcome bro! Post in your signature line where your from and maybe some one in your area will give you a buzz or hand. These Kats are great here! feel free to ask anything!

Alan...I think you scared everyone away with such a broad-based question. I don't think many folks want to sit down and try to regurgitate Kawasaki history.


Five milestones to consider (with respect to 900cc+ bikes):

1972-introduction of the 903 cc Z1
1977-introduction of the 1015 cc motor
1979- modification of the 1015 powerplant-designated MKII motor
1981-introduction of the 988cc J motor
1981-application of the J model head to 1100cc motors

i'm only familiar with the late 1970s KZ1000, A and B models, and like them cause:

- they have kick starters (phased out about 1980)

- the A models were the standard road bike (flat seat; sleek tank and sidecovers; low handle bars, headlight and turnsignals; large slim rear tire; black gauges and chain guard) while the B models were a cruiser style (stepped seat; pudgy tank and sidecovers; high handlebars, headlight and turnsignals; small pudgy rear tire; chrome gauges and chain guard). not sure, but i think the A has a single front brake (B has a double) and the A has wire wheels (B has mag wheels)

- a lot of A and B parts are interchangeable between the two bikes, which lets you personalize/customize the bike. a lot of bikes on the internet (like redlinecycle.com)are hybrids of the two models

- the B models were often made from the parts of the prior year A model (my 1979 B is based on the 1978 A2A)

- emissions controls were introduced about 1978/79 (maybe the 1978A2A and the 1979B )

i like the muscular look of my 1979 B model (cause of the mag wheels and fat rear tire), but the rest of the bike is morphing to an A.

Post edited by: duncan, at: 2006/06/28 20:15

this is not a RAT ,

Post edited by: wireman, at: 2006/06/28 20:50

this is a RAT

Post edited by: wireman, at: 2006/06/28 20:52

ok,this is a RAT!:evil:

Post edited by: wireman, at: 2006/06/28 20:53

:blink: Welcome aboard I think you'll like it here ! By the way ! You should have seen the huge chunk of cheese Wireman used to capture that rat in the pic!:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

its an alcoholic rat,weve tried counciling but it just wont run on anything else!:evil:

Duncan what size rim was on the 79B. 2.15"x18"?

Thanks for the info Duncan. This is the type of info I was looking for . It will help me greatly in deciding what bike to pursue. Again much appreciated. Alan

Welcome, this place is a great resource if you have green blood.

Do you have any pictures of a bike that is in the direction you would like to take your project?