kz1000 from kz1000ltd

Howdy, new to here , but not new to kzee,s. Got a nagging question i have had for years,, can a kz1000ltd be converted to a kz1000 [77-78], reason why i want to know is, visually, i much prefer the kz1000, also, the ltd,s came with the mk11 engine. Do the gas tanks swap, and most important, is the steering geometry the same..... And a completely different topic,, ever wondered why the 1000j are all gone,, burned oil badly and quickly demised,, apparently, a boring machine was out of true when kawasaki retooled..Any input on the kz1000 conversation much appreciated.

u should not have any trouble converting a ltd to a kz. the tanks are a direct swap. i have a set of KZ rims with new rubber,if u need them. the front is the same size and the rear is bigger. 18" rather than 16". not sure if the kz has a longer shock. the rake is the same i think, but that dosent make any dif anyways.
the mk 11 is a slightly better motor. it is stronger, in some areas, crank pin , cases. more electical output .

I have a 1980 KZ1000B4 that is becoming more of an A model. I will be using a 1978 police tank and an A2 seat. I am keeping the cast front wheel and will be using a later model police (18X2.5) cast rear wheel. The steering geometry will be the same with a stock A 18" rear wheel. I think the only LTDs that have the MKII engine are the 1979 & 1980 models and maby just the 1980.
I will post some photos when I am done.

893cv wrote: I think the only LTDs that have the MKII engine are the 1979 & 1980 models and maby just the 1980.

+1

Yes I have a '79 LTD and it does not have the Mk2 motor.

Mine is mostly converted to "A" style. The front wheel was spokes when I bought it. Then I bought a spoke rear wheel along with several different KZ1000 rear axles with spacers and had to have a spacer machined to get the wheel centered in the swingarm, don't know why.

Well it will just take some time for me to swap out the wheels. My swingarm is rusty and I plan to paint it before I change the back wheel.