eBay KZ - Speedo not correct??

You're right. I now notice that the odd numbers on the older speedos are smaller, but the speedo in question has numbers that are all the same size. Late model version for sure.

Just for the record the 79MKII did have the same speedo as the bike shown - 160 MPH and blue KPH scale. That's how mine came from the dealer when new anyway. I always assumed that the whole kaw line up went to the dual scale in 79. Seems to be that way on the 1000's and 650's for sure.

I learn something new here everyday, it turns out that the LTD and the MKII both use the same speedo. Maybe I was thinking of the 1000 ST that uses different guages.

This subject of switched speedos seems to come up quite often lately and normally it is about someone on ebay or Craigslist trying to pull something shady. It got me to thinking it might be a good resource to have a photo reference section depicting the correct guages for different models and years. This might help someone here from getting taken. This second bike is a prime example, I'm as familiar with the 76 KZ900 as anyone and should have instantly spotted those incorrect clocks on this bike. In this case I suppose due to the nice overall condition of the bike, I just wasn't looking hard enough (that and I had no intention of buying it). What do you guy's think, should we compile some speedo pics for the database?

That would be a great idea. I'm sure there are legitimate cases where a factory bike got a left over clock or whatever, but most of the time they should have the std issue for that model / year.

It's a long story - but I had to replace the speedo on my 78 650 and I got a great deal on a set of 79 gauges that even match the mileage pretty well. Problem is, the 79 set has the blue kph scale. I wouldn't try selling it though without explaining the history of the bike. I think that's the big problem here - these sellers are advertising these as original and having accurate mileage. Not likely...

I agree that there are legitimate cases where the seller either doesn't know the past history of the bike or bought it in good faith and believes what he was told by the seller. I have a similar situation on my 79 650SR, I bought it off ebay and it has 14,000 or so miles on it but when I went to the title bureau I recorded the actual mileage that I took off the speedo, the problem is the guy I bought it off guessed high when he titled it so the mileage I stated was less than what was shown on the title. I wasn't willing to dick around going back to the seller to get a replacement title so I just told them to title it showing it as not being actual miles even though it is.

I did notice something on the second bike that may explain the incorrect guages. If you look at this picture you will notice a dent in the tank that would have been caused by the turn signal hitting the tank during a spill. Also if you look at the turn signal the bolt clamping it to the stem is upside down, the nut and washers should be on the bottom not the top. I'm guessing this bike has been spilled at some point.

I'm thinking of contacting the seller of the second bike and bringing the incorrect guages to his attention. This bike will likely sell for enough money that if the buyer at some point discovers the miles are not accurate he may want to come back on the seller. Some states exempt vehicles based on the age but many do not. It would suck to get convicted of a felony just because you didn't know.

Jeeze I must be getting older than I thought, I was going to contact the seller and just re-read the description. I noticed the seller is aware of the guage situation. Here is what he says.

The bike is titled in WI as a 1977, although it might be a 1976 A4. Build date 9/76 I cannot verify the mileage because I believe the gauges have been changed. How ever when you see this bike you will be stunned by how clean the finish is on many items of this bike so I would believe it to be a very low mileage bike.


Nice to see someone being straight up on ebay for a change.

The Gringo wrote:

Jeeze I must be getting older than I thought, I was going to contact the seller and just re-read the description. I noticed the seller is aware of the guage situation. Here is what he says.

The bike is titled in WI as a 1977, although it might be a 1976 A4. Build date 9/76 I cannot verify the mileage because I believe the gauges have been changed. How ever when you see this bike you will be stunned by how clean the finish is on many items of this bike so I would believe it to be a very low mileage bike.


Nice to see someone being straight up on ebay for a change.

I must be getting REALLY old because I can't find that anywhere?? Is it the 1st bike or the second bike? As I'm typing I realize it's probably a relisting of the bike that ended early. If you click on the original links in this post you won't see that honesty. Someone probably told him during the first auction so he did the right thing and ended the auction and relisted with the updated information.

Yea, that's it. Here's the link to the relisting:

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...em&item=120416519697

Here'a a link to some info provided on Z1E's website.

Gauge Guide

Good Luck!

Wow, I forgot all about that! That's exactly what we need here. Maybe jeff wouldn't mind a link to his site or we could always do our own. It's good information either way.

79MKII wrote:

The Gringo wrote:

Jeeze I must be getting older than I thought, I was going to contact the seller and just re-read the description. I noticed the seller is aware of the guage situation. Here is what he says.

The bike is titled in WI as a 1977, although it might be a 1976 A4. Build date 9/76 I cannot verify the mileage because I believe the gauges have been changed. How ever when you see this bike you will be stunned by how clean the finish is on many items of this bike so I would believe it to be a very low mileage bike.


Nice to see someone being straight up on ebay for a change.

I must be getting REALLY old because I can't find that anywhere?? Is it the 1st bike or the second bike? As I'm typing I realize it's probably a relisting of the bike that ended early. If you click on the original links in this post you won't see that honesty. Someone probably told him during the first auction so he did the right thing and ended the auction and relisted with the updated information.

I'm really glad you posted that, I couldn't get the original link Russ posted to work so I just searched ebay for a 76 KZ900 A4 and evidently found the relisted item with the updated description. Maybe I'm not as senile as I thought I was.:laugh: Still good to see the seller wanting to do the right thing and list the bike honestly.