new member with some questions kz900 in iowa

hello, my name is Andy, im a fairly experienced motorcycle rider, but im somewhat unfamiliar with kawasakis. i picked up this 74 kz900 the other day after searching for a nice 70s or 80s jap bike for a few months. now that i have it in my possession and ive done a little internet browsing im confused about the actual model. according to the title it seems to be a z1 (it says 900 kz on the model but the frame number starts with Z1)but it doesnt look like the z1s ive found on the internet. the bodywork and guages dont look correct. i was hoping i could get a little advice from some experienced kawasaki owners about figuring out whats what on this thing. thanks

Appears to be an 80's something KZ650. Don't know. But not a 1974 KZ900. KZ900 were only produced in 1976 and part of 1977. Z1's were produced from the 1973 model to 1975. I think someone familiar with the 650's like Ed can chime in and tell you what you have.

Look at the posted motor VIN...does that really start with FZ1F...?

yes it does, the more i look into the more confused i get

twowheeledmonster wrote: yes it does, the more i look into the more confused i get

I'll go ahead and say the obvious...despite what the title says...you have a KZ650...not a Z1.

im aware that most of the bike is not but the frame number is z1f28381... thats off the frame not just the title... are the frames interchangable? im just trying to figure out why its not titled as a 650

You have a 650
The only thing thats 900 ish
are the kz 900 badges on the side covers
IF ONLY IT WAS THAT EASY
How much did you pay?
You may wanna get your cash back if it was sold as a Z1 or KZ900
If it was cheap the 650s are great little bikes that are more than worthy of being kept up
and should be
Could be a great bike

i paid a grand for it and dont get me wrong im happy with it im just worried that theres something fishy with the title

A grand?
Is a good price for a running 79 650
if the title is fucked so are you and the bike is a parts bike at best
if the title is messed its worth about 400 max
if you cant get a proper title for it
Id paint it flat black and use it for bank robbery get aways

Hang on, please get us a photo of your frame serial number. Z1F-28381 should be a fairly low number 1974 Z1.
You definitely have the bodywork, paint and meters from a later model 650, but that frame number is a Z1.
What was the engine number again? It should have the displacement on it near the base of the number 4 cylinder up front. Can't see the carbs or anything in your photos.
If you have a good Z1 title, frame and engine and only paid a grand, you may be able to make your money back or you have the base for a restoration, if you're into that.

The more I look at it, the more intriguing it is. The front end looks like a later model (rear facing brakes, meter cluster is later KZ) the engine number says Z1 but it has the square cam covers and fins, the tank has the pre-79 all capital KAWASAKI logo, it's got a duckbill tail and the lower grab bars instead of the hoop. It's all over the place!
Why would someone go to the trouble of putting all that 650 stuff on a Z1 frame?
:huh:

:dry:

Andy, unfortunately the frame in NOT a Z1 frame - there's too many things that show it's a 650 frame. The rear and front footrests, the brake pedal all are from a 650 and will not interchange.

The VIN numbers are wrong - the Japanese letter and number punches are very different - especially the 1 (one) which should have an upper tail...

I would suggest talking to the seller and getting your money back. If that fails a trip to the police would be next.