78 kz1000a airbox

Looking to find a airbox for my 78 1000a. But I'm not sure if they're the same as other years. Can anyone provide a pic of one or if other years and models are the same.

I'm pretty sure 77 and 78 are the same, I saw a complete set up on ebay not long ago from a seller in the USA it wasn't cheap but it's hard to find a complete airbox, like the exhaust it's a two year production part. I got mine from a guy in Shepherdsville, KY. for a very good price and I think he had more than one. Our friend Wheelhop has his contact info.

Below is the best pic I have of mine.

ebay       ebay.com/itm/225884777964

According to the application list at Partzilla, the main body was used on the 1977-80 KZ1000A, B(LTD), C (copcycle), and D (ZR-1).

www.partzilla.com/product/kawasaki/11011...4ac564f0f39b1592a35c

After a brief investigation, the only difference I can see in all those models is that the Z1R used a different bracket on the carburetor side, otherwise all the parts seem to be the same.

Thanks for the correction Tex ! you would think they would be easier to find.

Moose1800 wrote:

Thanks for the correction Tex ! you would think they would be easier to find.

Kawasaki did not provide Partzilla, CMSNL and the others with 100% accurate parts info, but it is correct, probably 99.9%.
It does seem odd that they are so hard to find, but maybe that is an unrealistic expectation for a plastic part that has been out of production for decades. Also, a lot of these bikes that ended up in scrapyards have been crushed for scrap over the years. I think it is the same pattern as often seen with collector cars. There are often decades after the end of the model’s production that they are just an old, used machine with little value. During this time, many get parted out or scrapped as they are to. Low-valued to be rescued. Some years later, older folks with some discretionary income, who remember the vehicle with fond nostalgia, begin restoring them, driving up interest and value, especially for esoteric parts. In rare cases, aftermarket companies will step in where it makes financial sense. For instance, the price of 1967-68 Mustang fastbacks has left the stratosphere, and if you have a viable vin, you can build an entire car from catalogue parts, including the body shell.
I doubt if that will ever happen with our beloved KZs, because Kawasaki produced only a tiny fraction of any given model compared to the average collector car.
Still, there are bound to be a few more air filter boxes hiding out there somewhere. 

I think they are hard to find because a lot of owners took them off and went with pods, same thing goes for original exhausts, and center stands.

Most of those parts got swapped out right at the dealership, the dealerships in most cases scrapped those items after a while.

TexasKZ wrote:

According to the application list at Partzilla, the main body was used on the 1977-80 KZ1000A, B(LTD), C (copcycle), and D (ZR-1).

www.partzilla.com/product/kawasaki/11011...4ac564f0f39b1592a35c

After a brief investigation, the only difference I can see in all those models is that the Z1R used a different bracket on the carburetor side, otherwise all the parts seem to be the same.

The diagrams are very confusing, and mix the years together.  As far as I can tell, there are three different versions. 
1) Maybe 77, the airbox has a separate flat cover over the area where ducts fit into the airbox
2) Maybe 78, the airbox is a single piece, and the ducts just push in
3) 79 and 80, there is an extra port in the top center to feed the clean air system tube

Oddly, the Parzilla diagrams show the same part number (11011-1025) for the '77 A1 and '78 D1, but the diagrams look different.  

 

I don't have any idea which version came with which model or year, other than it's a good bet that the one with extra port came with any bike with a MKII engine and the clean air system...

Here are examples of each....

ebay.com/itm/354993990419
ebay.com/itm/354719346839
ebay.com/itm/314365427650

I was going to say that I think any of the three will likely fit any 77-80 KZ1000.  

Also, it seems to be the case that Kawasaki has in many cases deleted old part numbers from their diagrams and catalog if there was a new part number that superseded the old one, and was completely compatible.

I have several vintage NOS part, with the original part number sticker, where those part numbers do not exist in any parts diagram I can find. The old Kawasaki diagram system from 10-15 years ago used to show ALL the parts, and would show which parts were superseded by other parts.  It was really great.  

The point being that it could be that airbox 11011-1025 superseded an earlier part number, but is completely compatible with the old one, so Kawasaki just calls out the newer part for the older model.  This may be why the '77 KZ1000 shows the old image, but lists the same part number as the '78 diagrams.

I do not know if this will be of any help or not.  From the Kawasaki web site it is indicated different part nuimbers for the air box between the A1 and A2 model years. 11011-065 for the A1 and 11011-1006 for the A2. and the B1 and B2 are shown as 11011-1025. A 1978 D1 parts list I pulled down from somewhere on line lists the part as 11011-1025.

Whatever differences or lack there of between the different part numbers I have no idea. 

gd4now wrote:

From the Kawasaki web site it is indicated different part numbers for the air box between the A1 and A2 model years. 11011-065 for the A1 and 11011-1006 for the A2. and the B1 and B2 are shown as 11011-1025. A 1978 D1 parts list I pulled down from somewhere on line lists the part as 11011-1025.

I pulled out the Z1R D1 fiche.  It's dated November 1st, 1977.  It shows 11011-1006 as the airbox part number, and the image does not show the extra plastic plate.  I also looked on Kawaski.com and the D1 diagram matches Partzilla.  Both show 11011-1025.  I wish that old parts system was still available.


 

Here’s what I can add. ALL Kz900 are the same (11011-054). The Kz1000A1 is very similar and uses the inlet holder plate (11040-001), same as the Kz900’s but is part number (11011-065). See the two side by side. KN sticker on the 1000A1. Unfortunately there is no part numbers on either. Notice the flutes on the forward side, and the knotch center top on the 1000. Unfortunately I don’t have a 1978 A2 parts catalog to verify the ‘77 and ‘78 are the same. Also the silencer snout of the 1000 is shorter.