Kawasaki America

Thanks for the info so far, my bike is an Kz1000-A2A,of 78 vintage, now I have been told the A2A was built in North Carolina, I am just trying to confirm this??

otakar wrote:

The first KZ1000 is the 1977. There seams to be a common notion that there was also a 77 KZ900 but there was not. They were only left over 76s. The 77 KZ1000 was available in Diamond Wine Red or Diamond sky Blue Wit the double thin gold pin stripes. I am not sure where the bikes were made but they were clearly marked on the Goose Neck as “made In Japan” or “Made In USA” right on the white sticker.

they were kz900s titled and licensed as 77s,ive seen at least 2 real cherry once up close and personal.went through the lincoln plant when i was a kid back in late 70s they build a little of everything there nowB)

i might go to lincoln this week and take some pictures to post of the plant if weather permits;)

Year & Model '78 KZ1000-A2A
Color(s) (1) Luminous Red
(2) Ebony

Frame No. Range (Japan MFR)
KZTOOA034226 - 037430

(USA MFR)

KZTOOA515035 - 519537

Engine No. Range KZTOOAE057037 - 057066 & KZTOOAE058797 - 075473
Engine No. Location RH top crankcase, below carburetor
Cylinder Mark 1.015L
Cylinder Mark Location Front RH corner
Engine Type 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, DOHC, Air cooled
Bore X Stroke 70.0 X 66.0 mm
Compression Ratio 8.7:1
Maximum HP 83 at 8000 rpm
Maximum Torque 8.1 kg-m at 6500 rpm

uk_kev wrote:

Thanks for the info so far, my bike is an Kz1000-A2A,of 78 vintage, now I have been told the A2A was built in North Carolina, I am just trying to confirm this??

Kevin if you in fact have an A2A then what you have is a California spec 1000 but in any case if the numerical part of the serial number starts with a 5 it was built in Lincoln, Nebraska because at that time Kawasaki only had one US plant. I'm not aware of them having a plant in North Carolina at all.

Also to add to what Otto posted there were 3 color choices in 78 the ebony color was a mid year color and is probably the rarest. They also had the red color you have as well as this green color. Yes that's me from way back in the day when I was much younger and thinner.:laugh:

Post edited by: The Gringo, at: 2008/02/03 13:19

"MAN look at all that hair" I was a young Marine back than and therefore had about 3% of that stationed in Sunny-Windy Hawaii.

otakar wrote:

"MAN look at all that hair" I was a young Marine back than and therefore had about 3% of that stationed in Sunny-Windy Hawaii.

:laugh: :lol: Yeah Otto I would guess that picture was taken about 29 years ago. The bike is long gone as are the bell bottom Levis. The good news is I've managed to keep the hair follicles intact. I still have that jacket around here somewhere, (not that I have a prayer of ever fitting into it again) but that jacket saved me from a ton of road rash when I wrecked a 78 Z-1R at 90 mph trying to out run a cop, so I can't bring myself to throw it away.

If I can find the picture somewhere I will try to post it, but I was riding a 78 Z1-R back than. I bought it wrecked, with about 3000m. on it from another Marine who lent it to a friend. Do I have to say more. I will make an attempt to find the picture.

Here it is 1978 Hawaii

that is a great picture.is that one of the z1r's that you still own?

That is correct. I still have that bike. Not the same color anymore but the same bike none the less. It is actually the first bike I ever owned. The picture was taken at the south end of the main runway at MCAS Kaneohe Bay. If you have ever seen the movie "In Harms Way" (Otto Preminger) with John wane, Kirk Douglas, Bergius Meredith, you will see the same background shot more than a couple times.

Otto

Otto that is a cool pic and I kind of like the paintjob on that bike. I'm wondering what happened to the windshield when that pic was taken? Is that the bike you bought off your buddy after it was wrecked? Did you buy the one that is still stock with 1800 miles after bought this one? BTW you might have has less hair than I did back then but you also had a heck of a lot more muscle too! Funny how the Marines can do that to you.:laugh: