80 kz 1000 difference 80 kz 1000 ltd

Ok so I'm new here so what's the difference between the it kz 1000 and the kz 1000 ltd? I just got the kz 1000 Ltd and just worndering

Most of the differences are cosmetic. The LTD was the more cruiserish version. Two level seat, buckhorn bars, leading axle forks, 19 inch front and 16 inch rear wheels, different mufflers, et cetera.

Longer wheel base too?
Steve

I read somewhere that,though they have the same engine,there are internal differences. Maybe the cams or the gearing. The LTD having more lower down torque and the KZ leaning more towards top speed.
Could be wrong.and it wouldnt be the first time!

The LTD looks better imo. :laugh:

PLUMMEN wrote: The LTD looks better imo. :laugh:

The standard model with spoke wheels is the shizzle. I've always been under the impression the engines were identical but the gearing (if chain drive) was slightly lower in the LTD model.
Regardless, I like my LTD seat better on my bike but the bench seat still looks good.

missionkz wrote:

PLUMMEN wrote: The LTD looks better imo. :laugh:

The standard model with spoke wheels is the shizzle. I've always been under the impression the engines were identical but the gearing (if chain drive) was slightly lower in the LTD model.
Regardless, I like my LTD seat better on my bike but the bench seat still looks good.

Im a sucker for wire wheels also,the last year for factory wire wheels was 78 though.
The 79-80 kz is a completely differant bike than the 73-78 kz,If you put wire wheels on a 79-80 1000ltd most people would think it was a 77-78 if they didnt know what they were looking at.

missionkz wrote:

PLUMMEN wrote: The LTD looks better imo. :laugh:

The standard model with spoke wheels is the shizzle. I've always been under the impression the engines were identical but the gearing (if chain drive) was slightly lower in the LTD model.
Regardless, I like my LTD seat better on my bike but the bench seat still looks good.

Wheel size (total height of mounted inflated tires) can alter gearing slightly, same as different size rear sprockets. Clearly noticeable when standing them (16" vs 18" wheels) side by side.

Reggie72 wrote: Ok so I'm new here so what's the difference between the it kz 1000 and the kz 1000 ltd? I just got the kz 1000 Ltd and just worndering

Other than the styling, the engines were different . The engines of the KZ1000 'MKII's' and 'ST's' of '79 and '80 were different than the LTD models of the same year. ((Was there a standard model KZ1000 produced in '79 and '80 other than the MKII's and ST's?))...if so my year/model ID guide does not show one. .............................................Mike

Vroom-vroom!!!

For 1980, Kawasaki marketed the following big-bore four cylinder models:

KZ1000A4 aka standard 1000, MkII
KZ1000B4 aka LTD1000
KZ1000C3 aka Police
KZ1000D3 aka Z1R
KZ1000E2 aka Shaft
KZ1000G1 aka Z1 Special
Z1000H1 aka Z1000FI

ALL of which were equipped with the so-called MKII-style motors. As was mentioned , there were differences between models in carburation, camshafts, and many other areas, etc.

The MkII and ST engines appear the same externally, yet were much different internally in many ways also including their crankshafts, stators, cases etc etc etc...though they will mount right into most any other KZ1000 and even the earlier 900 frames all the way back to the '73's without any mounting mods. That's why the MKII motors are popularly sought after for big bore and drag racing engine builds for their beefier cranks and cases. The ST (shaft) engines are the same motor internally as the MKII's and can be converted to sprocket drive, as I found out with the one I recently bought...



.............................Mike

Vroom-vroom!!!

Rockranch wrote:

Reggie72 wrote: Ok so I'm new here so what's the difference between the it kz 1000 and the kz 1000 ltd? I just got the kz 1000 Ltd and just worndering

Other than the styling, the engines were different . The engines of the KZ1000 'MKII's' and 'ST's' of '79 and '80 were different than the LTD models of the same year. ((Was there a standard model KZ1000 produced in '79 and '80 other than the MKII's and ST's?))...if so my year/model ID guide does not show one. .............................................Mike

Vroom-vroom!!!

The only differance internally Im aware of between the 79 kz and the 79 ltd was that the ltd used a smaller center crank pin like the 77-78 kz.
In 1980 they used the same parts.