Any love for the baby KZ's?

I've been surfing around the forums for the last couple of days and there's very little info here on the little KZ's, namely the KZ250.

I'm about to embark on a project and I'm hoping you guys will be able to help answer questions along the way.

First off, how can I tell what year it is? I looked through the KZInformation/model History tab, but there's nothing on the 250.
I know it's a KZ250D and I have a VIN. That makes it an '80-'82, right? Is there a place I can check the rest of the VIN so I can find out just what year it is?
(I have a titled frame to build on, just looking so I can order the proper bits and pieces for the engine.)

scott s wrote:

I've been surfing around the forums for the last couple of days and there's very little info here on the little KZ's, namely the KZ250.

I'm about to embark on a project and I'm hoping you guys will be able to help answer questions along the way.

First off, how can I tell what year it is? I looked through the KZInformation/model History tab, but there's nothing on the 250.
I know it's a KZ250D and I have a VIN. That makes it an '80-'82, right? Is there a place I can check the rest of the VIN so I can find out just what year it is?
(I have a titled frame to build on, just looking so I can order the proper bits and pieces for the engine.)

Would give Zedder a try:

Go to www.zedder.com

Select Bike Info (not blinking)

Select Kawasaki Model Information

Scroll down to 250 cc arranged by year
Check out the KZ models
Find applicable VIN range

Good Fortune!

Howdy. If it's a 17-digit VIN, then you could try searching it at Kawasaki.com. The site has diagrams & cross-reference info, as well as other helpful stuff. Good luck. JMK.

You are correct if you see a lessened interest in the small Z's...and that is probably due to two primary reasons:

(1) We are all fairly focused on the big Z's and that is where the bulk of interest on this site is.

(2) The baby Z's are actually fairly rare (personally, I'd love to fall into a KZ200)...they didn't sell as well as the larger bikes and of those that were sold, folks tended to treat them as discardable...whereas, their big brothers tended to get stuck in a barn or garage when owners lost interest.

Most of the interest and sales of the smaller Z's was in Asia so there was not a large aftermarket parts industry generated in North America.

Thanks guys. It appears to be a 1980. I'll have to cross check the engine #, but the VIn suggests an '80.

Plans for this one are a completely stripped down cafe' racer. Only headlight, brake/tail light, clip ons, rear sets, etc.
I've done a few other bikes and currently have an XS650 and CB500/4 in the garage, so this one will be just for fun.

I see that the 250 uses the same piston and rings as the KZ1000. If I need an overbore, where might I find 1st over pistons and rings?

Not sure what part of the world you are in, but the KZ250's come in two types. There is a single and a twin. Just letting you know so you don't get stuck with any parts you can't use.

The 200 single grew into a 250 single.

But there was also a 250 twin, which eventually grew into a 305 twin.

If the 250 single is like the 200 single, then it should be a nice, simple bike to get around on. I really loved the simplicity and reliability of the 200.

I'm in the US. This is a 250 single. It IS a 1980, verified by the VIN and engine number.

Using www.motogrid.com , I can cross reference part #'s and it seems the ~'78-79 KZ1000 overbore pistons are the same.
However, it only lists two overbores for the 250, a .020 and a .040 over. I see KZ1000 pistons listed as much a 1.0, 2.0 and even 4.0MM over.
I wonder is a 1.0mm over piston/rings for a '78KZ1000 would fit? The only concern I have is about the thickness of the sleeve or cylinder walls of the 250.

Where could a get a single, first or second overbore piston and rings for the KZ1000?

Not sure about the pistons and rings, but a company in California (LA sleeve) makes new sleeves for most engines.

Here is a KZ1000 1mm (2 sizes over) piston. NOS on ebay.

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Kawasaki-KZ1...fPartsQ5fAccessories

And a 1mm over ring set.

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Kawasaki-KZ1...fPartsQ5fAccessories

We don't have alot on the singles or the twin bikes here but there are a few guys that are pretty good with them. For instance, I think his name is bounty hunter, he is our resident 750 twin expert. Odd Ivar was (god rest his soul) our 400/440 expert.

Maybe you could be the guy that posts all of KZ250 info?? Nudge, nudge.

Becker wrote:

Here is a KZ1000 1mm (2 sizes over) piston. NOS on ebay.

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Kawasaki-KZ1...fPartsQ5fAccessories

And a 1mm over ring set.

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Kawasaki-KZ1...fPartsQ5fAccessories


Maybe you could be the guy that posts all of KZ250 info?? Nudge, nudge.

That piston/ring set are in my watch list right now.
My only concern is that the Kawasaki [arts fiche only list a .020 and a .040 overbore piston for the 250.
I'm not sure if that's because they just didn't wear out that much or if it has something to do with the thickness of the sleeve/cylinder walls.

As far as being the expert...I still have a LONG way to go, but I'll sure post what I learn along the way!
Now, if you wanted to know something about air-cooled VW's, Yamaha XS650's or even a little about SOHC4 Hondas, I might be able to help.
"Might" being the operative word....

Well, duh....I guess I'm a dumb American...

1.0mm is 0.039370", so I guess that's the 2nd overbore, or .040" piston. Looks like it's what I need.

I am not an expert on the small bikes or the big bikes for that matter. :silly: Just because the diameter of the piston is the same does not mean it will fit. You have wrist pin sizes, and distance from center of wrist pin to the piston top to keep in mind. The big piston may work but do your homework before you buy. My 0.02 cents. Good luck and let us know how its coming along.