1979 KZ 1000 LTD vs MK-11

the color of the bike is green would that make it a 78?

the 79 green is a really dark metallic, from a distance it almost looks black.

PICS we need PICS!

Kingchiefa wrote:

the color of the bike is green would that make it a 78?

The 78 KZ1000 did come in Metallic Green with Gold accent stripes on the tank & tailpiece. The 79 LTD green is much darker as previously said.The engine in a 79 or 80 LTD is the same as in the MKll( a good thing ) ,just not painted black.

Actually the 79 LTD used the old spec KZ1000 engine from 1978 complete with points ignition. It was 1980 the LTD was upgraded to the MKII type engine design.

OK, give me a just a min. I should have pics up.

Mcdroid wrote:

Kingchiefa wrote:

Mcdroid wrote:

Better is a subjective term...check the frame VIN on the triple-tree neck...if the 6th letter is a 'B' than it is an LTD frame...if it is an 'A' then you have a MKII. Neither bike came stock with a fairing.

That sounds good, I will check. What does it mean if neither are on then VIN? I'm starting to feel like the bike is not what the guys says it is...

In 1979, Kawasaki released four KZ1000 models (KZ1000A3, the standard; KZ1000B3, the LTD; KZ1000E1, the Shaft; and KZ1000C, the Police issue). The 6th letter of the frame VIN will be either A, B, E, or C, in that order (to match the above order). The most common KZ1000 sold was the LTD model and it is likely that is what you have...the numbers after the frame KZTOOB will then determine what year bike you have.

I got the vin number which numbers after the KZT00B supply the date?

This is the best pic i have at the moment I need to crop the other ones down, I'm going to throw up a front view also...( this is the pics I get for askign my girl to take them...) lmao

this is a crapy pic. but it is what I got for the moment

Kingchiefa wrote:

I got the vin number which numbers after the KZT00B supply the date?

All of them...and you can also check www.zedder.com under 'bike info' to see if the motor VIN goes with the frame VIN to see if a engine swap is suggested. BTW, it looks like you have an LTD...nice bike.

Mcdroid wrote:

Kingchiefa wrote:

I got the vin number which numbers after the KZT00B supply the date?

All of them...and you can also check www.zedder.com under 'bike info' to see if the motor VIN goes with the frame VIN to see if a engine swap is suggested. BTW, it looks like you have an LTD...nice bike.

'79 KZ1000-B3:LTD that is my bike!!! Yeah now I know which model I have.

Yea it's a 79 KZ1000B3. Not the original paint or side covers, but looks nice. The way the ser # works is KZT00B5xxxxx, KZT means model is KZ, 00 means 1000, B means LTD, 5 means made in Lincoln, NB. 5 numbers after that are the serial number in sequence so 20000 would fall in the 1979 model year.

RonKZ650 wrote:

Actually the 79 LTD used the old spec KZ1000 engine from 1978 complete with points ignition. It was 1980 the LTD was upgraded to the MKII type engine design.

Not so sure about that...there are 2 1979 LTD's on Ebay right now ,both with MKll enegines...check out EBay items 320359272543 and 260393899816. Pretty sure 79 LTD's in Canada had MKll engines,I ripped one apart for dragbike parts.US models could have been different.