What KZ900 Do I Have?

Date 9/75
Engine: Z1E 092120
Frame: ZIF-500360
Made In USA

Thanks for any help!

im gonna say its a 76 kz900 since theres no b in serial number which would make it a 900ltd

Probally the 360th built KZ900 for 76. Still had some engines left over with erlier numbers.
They started mass producing the 76 KZ after the 89,000 Z1's.
I am sure you have the square tail light, the different side covers than Z1, the plastic tool box, the battery that comes out the side of the batt box, single disc, no reflectors on fork legs, etc.
you have a 1976 KZ900

It's a 1976 KZ900-A4 assembled in Lincoln, Nebraska. The '5' in the first position of the frame number shows a Nebraska build.

Do you think it has a Z1 motor or a KZ motor? Is there any way to tell. If it is a Z1 motor would it be a KZ-Z1-900-a4? lol Does the low serial# make it more collectable and should I bring it back to original or have at it? Is it a mystery motor? You old Chevey fans will remember those. Thanks

The Z1 and KZ900 engines both have engine numbers starting with Z1E-xxxxxx. Your engine number is in the range I would expect for that frame number. While it might be one of the earlier bikes out of Lincoln Nebraska, there were thousands produced before that in Japan... so in terms of collector status - nothing to make is special versus all the other KZ900's.

Were there alot of USA KZ900-A4s made? And why are the 1976 models frowned upon? Are the A4s inferior to the Z1s? Are the Japanese versions more desireable? If the KZ900-a4s were only made for one year you would think they would be scarce. From a riding standpoint which is superior a KZ900-A4 or a Z1?
Thanks Again.

well now im confused my 75 also has a z1-f frame number but it does have z1 side covers and the reflectors on the fork legs and the shocks so its not a z1 or is it?

just went out and looked my bike has a production date of 11/74 and says made in japan but it does have the z1-f prefix on the frame vin

10seconda wrote: just went out and looked my bike has a production date of 11/74 and says made in japan but it does have the z1-f prefix on the frame vin

Frame# for Z1 and KZ900 starts from Z1F ( engine# Z1E). Your bike is 75 model Z1 (Z1-.

76900KZ wrote: Were there alot of USA KZ900-A4s made? And why are the 1976 models frowned upon? Are the A4s inferior to the Z1s? Are the Japanese versions more desireable? If the KZ900-a4s were only made for one year you would think they would be scarce. From a riding standpoint which is superior a KZ900-A4 or a Z1?
Thanks Again.

It's not as much the '76s being frowned upon, more that some people turn their noses up at them. My opinion is that the Z1 is considered more desirable because it's a Z1 and not a KZ900. Performance-wise, the specs are pretty much the same, although the KZ900 dropped some HP when Ma Kaw changed the VM28 carbs to VM26's. From a ride standpoint the KZ900's are supposed to have a stiffer frame, but that's not spelled out in the specs.

Personally, I think it's great that my bike (1976 KZ900 Ltd) was built in Lincoln. As far as how valuable it is.....doesn't matter to me because I've got what I always wanted now and don't plan on selling.

Enjoy!

I ride a gorgeous '76 KZ900 I got for $1,900. Find a Z1 in the same condition and you'll pay $6,000 EASY!!!

Frankly, (just my two cents) people get all excited just for the two characters- a "Z" and a "1"- myself included, I want a Z1 . The KZs were better all around bikes IMHO- thicker gauge tubing in the frame and swingarm is a trade off for having "only" 26mm carbs.