TOPIC:

First off, this post is only for fun and meant to start up a conversation about the identity of Kawasaki's KZ1000MKII model, not to stir the pot or start a flame war...just for fun.

I have been corresponding by email with a local guy who has a 1980 KZ1000A4 for sale. I am definitely interested in this bike but wasn't sure what year he actually had. It was advertised as a 1980 but the side covers had the "KZ1000 MKII" badges. As many of you may or may not know, ONLY the 1979 model came with the "MKII" moniker. There are other subtle differences from 79 to 80 but they are really the same bike, aren't they?

Or, is only the 1979 model the true "MKII" as it was the only bike to usher in the new era of the KZ1000? You can't usher in a new era 2 years in a row, right? And why did Mother Kaw change the badges from 79 to 80 if not to draw a clear line of what is and what isn't technically a "MKII"?

Now, the reason I'm asking is because I have always considered only the 79 version to be a true MKII but I seem to have offended this guy by mentioning that his bike isn't technically a MKII (oops ). Kind of like a 76 KZ900 isn't technically a Z1, right? Maybe? This seller is stating in his ad, "1980 Kawasaki KZ 1000 MKII - yes, this is a real one that is chain driven". As far as what is what...how about selling price right now? Would you pay as much for a 1980 as you would for a 1979?


Discuss!

You troublemaker Well, I have also seen many people who consider anything with a MKII motor in it a MKII bike. This would then open this can-of-worms to include KZ1000E bikes, the 1980 KZ1000B4, and perhaps even 1980 and 1981 KZ1000P bikes. Technically, you are correct...if you look at the owners manuals, the only manual that says MKII is the 1979 manual. The 1980 A4 manual only states 'A4'.

you are 100 % right....i owned both 79 and 80 body sets brand nnew still jusr re-wrapped by kawasaki in the box when i was 21....one was a MKII body set(luminuos red)...and the other was a KZ1000 body set(black with gold stripe)........


anyways the 1979 is the one you and i own so who cares what "he" thinks...poor guy...how does he sleep at night


too funny ...he wants to call his a MKII...and i daydream about painting mine the 1980 black and changing the side emblems......the black set i had in new condition was stunning

Mcdroid brings up another great point,,,A-4

now my MKII is a japan model A-3

Am i correct that some were made in the U.S.A and are called A-3a

which is the "TRUE" (or older of those two) MKII?

According to Dave Marsden's History of Z1 published Dec. 1998, the 1979 Z1000-A3 MK11 and 1980 Z1000-A4 were much the same, with A4 adding quartz halogen headlight, remote rear master cylinder reservoir, small Kawasaki badge under the headlight, and different colors.

Am uncertain about these exact same differences as between 1979 KZ1000-A3 MKII and 1980 KZ1000-A4.

Good Fortune!

IMHO McDroid's correct the only model year for MKll's is 79. I do know a little about them... It's possible the sidecovers and/or emblems were replaced or if it's an early enough 80 maybe they were still using up old stock emblems on KZ1000's although I must admit I've never seen one.

just the wording alone tells the truth


According to Dave Marsden's History of Z1 published Dec. 1998, the 1979 Z1000-A3 MK11 and 1980 Z1000-A4

Wow, great information...The manual is another reference where only the 79 is called the MKII, as is the part numbers for the painted bodywork.
I hadn't heard of the H-4 headlight being added in 1980, but mine did have the sealed beam now that I think about it. The other points are right on and are indeed different between the 79 and 80: remote rear master cylinder reservoir (for 1980 only), small Kawasaki badge under the headlight (for 1980 only), and different colors (red or blue for 79 and black only for 80). I actually listed all those differences for him except the H-4 headlight. I remember the rear brake pedal being a different part number too (I was searching for an nos one for a while there). I'm guessing that the 1980 used a much smaller rod and linkage to connect to the m/c like the 1980 LTD does. My '79 has a one pc M/C and the older style, heavier linkage. Then again, could be something simple like a different knurl pattern on the brake pedal pad?? Not sure about that one and don't know of any other differences other than a different frame part number as well....might be due to different year of manufacturer even though they are identical frames (to keep serial number series correct maybe??).

The seller added the MKII badges himself...he liked them and they were NOS.

Tri- now you've wrecked my whole day ...I think I have the A3A version which I do believe is the US version...but is that a true MKII compared to the A3 version? I never even thought of that before....ignorance is bliss! We'll have to look into that....

I like the MKll badges better too...AFAIK the A3 was sold in Canada and Europe - no pollution ports and a different rocker cover. The A3A was the US model with the EPA appeasing smog ports and cover.

my serial numbers fall under A-3 according to our info base and my V.I.N says right on it made in japan, and i had the full smog gear and exhaust side vents......i removed it all and capped em....but mine "IS" an A-3 too,weird......

I though Canada got the euro paint fuel injected ones in 80...also known as the Z1000H i think?

just cause the painted parts i saw trun up from northern sellers.....

Ve-r-r-r-r-y interesting - to past,current or future Mk.11 owners. So my KZ1000 started life in Japan as a K bike.It currently has M sidecovers,J cams,ELR oil cooler,P forks, Gs1000 swingarm.What does that make it?A mongrel,but its the fastest mongrel on the block.With the exception of some 100% survivors,I'll bet most of our bikes are a bit (or a lot) mongrelized.I sure wish I could find a Mk11,genuine or not.I have somebody's Mk11 as my computer wallpaper,lovely bikes.bj

now doe sny one know if the ST and MKII or A-4 tanks sit in the same place...i know the ST holds more fuel...but is the basic underside the same....ie,,,can i run an ST tank painted as a MKII,,,for more fuel?

oh and.......


the 80 is a kz1000