1976 KZ900 Resurrection

I guess I’ll call this a resurrection, since it’s neither a re-build or restoration.You can see a few pictures of this bike in it’s former glory on my introduction.

A little “pre-ramble” if you’ll allow me:I’ve spent the better part of the last month trying to locate a qualified mechanic willing and able to tackle the task of determining the condition of the motor and examining the over all condition of the bike. It was quite depressing to realize the rarity of such individuals in this area. When I was last riding, there was at least Kawasaki dealerships and several capable service shops in the Dayton, Ohio area. The one pseudo-dealership doesn’t work on anything pre1983. I did find two individual willing to work on it, but not until mid August at the earliest.

This past Friday, I delivered the bike to a shop with a mechanic who seems to be very knowledgeable of “vintage” Kawasakis and seemed to be actually anxious to work on it. When all is said and done and I have the bike back (or news of its unworthiness), I’ll gladly post the name of the shop and the mechanic (if permitted) for those in the southwestern part of Ohio. I have pictures of the bike just before I delivered it to the shop. I’ll post those when it is a sure thing that this endeavor is going forward.

If I get to go forward. I know I have more than a few questions, most of which I believe will fall into the “cosmetic” category. Having seen the responses to questions in other threads, I look forward to the expertise offered here.

So, while I anxiously await for the verdict on my KZ900, I do have a question. In another post on the New Members page, a list a frame numbers was provided. In that list 1976 KZ900A4 with dual disc brakes frame numbers were shown as Z1F-085-11706.1976 KZ900B1 with single disc brake was shown as 9008-50006 to505514My KZ900 has a single disc brake but my serial number is Z1F-111631.Also, I thought my Z was an “H” model. By the way, where is the VIN located? I’ve misplaced my title and need the VIN to get a replacement. Thanks for any help (now and in the future) and sorry for being so long winded! 

The frame number is located on the headstock.  It begins with Z1F, and then a six digit number.  This is the VIN.  The engine number is located on the right side, behind the cylinders, on a flat block of the engine.  It begins with Z1E, and then a six digit number.  The book frame numbers you mentioned make no sense.

Your bike is most likely an "A" model, although KHI also made an LTD called the "B" model.  The "H" models were two stroke bikes.

If you want to know the general condition of your engine....start with a cylinder compression test.  

Thanks!
I thought the frame number WAS the VIN, but the lady at the DMV argued with me. They might be one of the hardest problem to solve. I guess I had a "DOH" moment with the H question. Must've flashed back to the KZ500 days!

There was a change to much longer VIN numbers in 1977.  She probably has never registered a bike older than that.

The "H" bikes were the H1 and H2, 500 cc and 750 cc two stroke bikes.

To do the compression test you need a pressure gauge and the right adapter to screw into your plug holes.  Warm the bike up, but not too hot because you will be touching the head.  Then pull all the. plugs and install the gauge in #1 cylinder.  With the throttle wide open (or the carbs off the bike) crank the bike until the pressure stops rising on the gauge.  Record the reading and move to the next cylinder.

There are four stroke H models. The KZ750H for example. Also, the new H2 four stroke, asphalt melting supercharged maniac.

wrote:

There are four stroke H models. The KZ750H for example. Also, the new H2 four stroke, asphalt melting supercharged maniac.

Ahhh, those are too new for me!!

I remembered about the H on the 500 & 750 2-strokers. Never knew about the newer H designation.
I'm not doing any of the engine work. Since the bike hadn't been started in 31 years (this month),
I took it straight to the shop. Good news is that I could kick through it and  when I got it to the shop, he flipped the switch, pushed the button, and low and behold, it cranked right through! Hopefully, I'll know something positive by the end of next week

Thanks

Got the title issue worked out. The lady did say she has a brain freeze and realized after I left that some of the older bikes had shorter VIN numbers. She said a bill from the shop doing the work with a "Bill To" me and the VIN would establish ownership. Didn't need all that since I found and old registration form 1984. They just did a "copy & paste kind of thing. 
Insurance was another matter. One company would not accept the 9 digit VIN and insisted it had to be 10. The lady at the insurance company added a 0 and it took it but said it was incorrect. The 2nd company said it didn't match existing VIN numbers but took it anyway. At least it was the better company and only $10 more on the year!

I've never had an issue registering a pre-77 bike here in British Columbia.  I currently have a multi bike plate on my old bikes that I can switch to the one I want to ride on any particular day.

Glad you got that sorted. It can be really frustrating to deal with incompetent ignoramuses.

Must be nice! In my state, each vehicle must be titled and tagged. They recently ok'd the use of golf carts and such on neighborhood streets (25mph or less) and they must be titled ($$) and tagged (more $$).

Hey, it's Ohio. Lived my whole life here so I've gotten used to it.