kz 900 respect

how come the 1976 kz 900 doesn't get the respect of the 1975 and 1974 z1? The bike is the same right?

partlly because the z1 came FIRST, and will always be known as the motorcycle that took the world by storm. It was a huge jump for motorcycles and by the time the z1 came to be known as the kz900 alot of the shock was over and these bikes were the norm. Just my thought on the matter

The KZ900 was a slightly different motor than the 73 through 75's. I believe that it came with smaller valves and smaller carbs. Kawasaki said it was an effort to improve reliability. There probably were other differences as well. Guys who want to hop up a Z prefer 75's or earlier.

KZCSI

Try having a 77-78 1000. They are the red headed step children of the kz world. :laugh:

I've read the carbs were down sized, with a bigger or stonger frame but the valves size or any thing related to it being a differant engine has not come up. Engine bhp listed at 81

See what I mean, I know it's treated like red headed step child. how come.

the kz900 was caught in the big changeover ,lots of one off pieces.theres nothing wrong with the kz900,nothing wrong with a warmed over 78 kz1000 either!flashback 1979

First year for the Z1 was '73, and it's the most desireable. Makes sense because it was first.
First year for the KZ1000 was '77, and it's not particularly desireable. I know they're rare here in SoCal, but what I read from owners (mostly on this site) is that the '77 KZ1000 is not a great bike.
You'd think a one-year-only production model like a KZ900LTD would be a real jewel in the Kaw crown. They get fair money when they show up on e-bay, but not the crazy money that a Z1 can get. Doesn't really matter to me, because I'll never sell. When people ask me what Blaze is worth, I say, "she's not worth more than $20,000." :laugh:

To me the bike is only worth something when it is completely restored but otherwise it is just a rat waiting to be fed.
Those early z1s are nice because they started it all but they are not better than the later ones. They just came first. I love the oval tail light and the feel of the crank when revving up from a stop but those bikes are worth all that money because they came first not because they are better bikes. The later bikes were improved upon in many aspects.
Still... If I had an opportunity to own one over a later one I would opt for it every time but only if it were in like new condition or close to it and with modern improvements added. The bike as a rat can't possibly be worth more than a newer one in great shape. In someone's mind perhaps but certainly not in the real world where bikes get ridden on a daily basis.

There are 1972 Z's.
From a collector stand point the most desirable are the first year and the last year bikes. The 900 A4 are starting to increase in price.

I have one friend that has every year of the Z1 except the 1972.

You are talking big money for a original Z1 these days.

I have a friend in Australia that came to the US to buy original Z1's. He bought five bikes and is always looking for more.

I don't have that kind of money!

The 77 KZ1000 that are nebraska bikes are starting to be sought after. I sold mine to a rider from australia. he was going to resell it. i say him this year and he told me he checked the bike out and kept it. That is a rare bike for Australia. roy

For the complete History of Z, KZ900 and KZ1000...
www.mekki.be/model%20history%20Z1-Z1000.htm

For those of use that were around back then (damn I'm getting old), this 4 cylinder beast was new to us here in America. We had single, double and triple cyclinders bikes American, European and the new Japanese productions but nothing compared to the Z series... Then came this 903cm monster that we all fell in love with... DROOL!

Riders weren;t ready for the raw power these bikes had so as can be reviewed below, in 1976 they toned it down a little...

Other than some cosmetics, idiot guages and down sized carbs, they're for the most part the same. As already mentioned, they were the first so worth more $$$ in the regards in collector bikes. In the regards to performace and power, upgrade the carbs (28/29mm) and your basically the same bike.

OMR


Z1/KZ History:

1972-1973 Z1-900
FRAME NUMBER: Z1F-000001 >
ENGINE NUMBER: Z1E-000001 >
COLOUR: CANDY ORANGE/BROWN OR CANDY YELLOW/GREEN FOUR CYLINDER, FOUR STROKE, FOUR EXHAUSTS, FOUR CARBS, DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAMSHAFT, FIVE SPEED GEARBOX, 903 CC PRODUCING 82 BHP
This was the first of the Z-range, the first true SUPERBIKE of the seventies. The biggest and best ever motorcycle that the Japanese had produced. THE KING OF THE ROAD.

1974 Z1-A
FRAME NUMBER: Z1F-020001 >
ENGINE NUMBER: Z1E-020001 >
COLOUR: CANDYTONE BROWN/ORANGE OR CANDYTONE GREEN/YELLOW
Major changes for this model were the silver engine finish, redesigned tank and tailpiece markings and a stop lamp failure light in the tachometer. The idiot light cover was also changed, the warning lights were now placed in a different order. The best gets better.

1975 Z1-B
FRAME NUMBER: Z1F-047500 >
ENGINE NUMBER: Z1E- 047500 >
COLOUR: CANDY SUPER BLUE OR CANDY SUPER RED
Major changes for this model were paintwork and markings, larger side panel badges and the adoption of an 'O' ring chain instead of the previous built in chain oiler. The switchgear was slightly cosmetically changed and the Speedo was now in 20-mph increments. The fuel tap was changed from black to silver and the carbs were modified to improve performance.

1976 Z900-A4
FRAME NUMBER: Z1F-085701 >
ENGINE NUMBER: Z1E-086001 >
COLOUR: DIAMOND DARK GREEN OR DIAMOND BROWN
Major changes for this model included colour and marking, different side panels and badges, airbox, twin front brakes, locking fuel cap, three way fuse system, hazard warning lights, audible flasher indicator, square tail light, improved instrument cluster and a change to smaller 26 mm carbs. Power was down to 81 bhp but the Z900 was a much better bike to ride. A few extra models
rolled off the American production line in Lincoln in 1977 known as the KZ900-A5.

1976 KZ900-B1 LTD
FRAME NUMBER: KZ900B-500011 >
ENGINE NUMBER: Z1E- 108503 >
COLOUR: CLASSIC RED
This was the first Japanese custom cruiser. Assembled in the states in limited numbers for the disconcerting motorcyclist. An abundance of chrome and bolt on goodies made this Kawasaki a 'RICE BURNER WITH ATTITUDE'. The rear wheel was a fat sixteen-inch item.

1977 Z1000-A1
FRAME NUMBER: KZT00A-000001 >
ENGINE NUMBER: KZT00AE-000001 >
COLOUR: DIAMOND WINE RED OR DIAMOND SKY BLUE
This was the natural successor to the 900 range. Bored out to 1015 cc and producing 83 bhp, the biggest difference to the Z1 was the four into two exhaust system and the use of a disc brake at the rear instead of the previous drum brake. "The king is dead, long live the king!'

I never could exactly understand it either really. To me a KZ900 is the same thing as a Z1 so worth the same. Also why is it first year models are more desirable? I like a 1979 Honda CBX way better than a 81 because it's much nicer looking. A 1973 Z1 is better looking than a 1976 KZ900, a 1972 H2 is much better looking than a 1975 model. Why do they do this?? Of course now most are repaints, and that cancels out any advantage in looks.