TOPIC:

I am assembling a list of all the KZ models sold in North America, to be posted in the filebase. My thoughts are to make a list that includes just enough information for folks to identify year, model, and correct engine, that will be useful for seasoned members as well as KZ novices.
Currently, the list has the following information-
Year
Model number (ie KZ1000P5)
Market name (ie LTD, GPz)
Actual displacement
Number of cylinders
ID comments (easy to spot differences like wire spoke wheels, style, number and type of brakes. Not invisible things like cam chain type, wrist pin size, et cetera.)
Frame or vin number (Starting number, sometimes with ending number)
Engine number (Starting number, sometimes with ending number)

I have relied mostly on the Kawasaki Model Guides posted here, along with factory service manuals, and to a lesser degree on Zedder.co and Partzilla. Even so, I am missing some frame/vin and engine numbers, and I am asking any of you who have the relevant service manual or other official Kawasaki source to please email scans or images of the following --

1979 KZ400H1
1980 - 81 KZ440A, B, D
1983 KZ440D5
1978 - 81 KZ650B, C, D, F, H
1980 KZ750G LTDII
1981 KZ750 H2, L1
1982 KZ750R1
1986 ZX550A3
1987 - 88 KZ305B
1988 ZX750 GPz
1990 - 93 ZR550B
1991 - 93 ZR750C
Copcycles - P6 - P24

Also, can anybody confirm which, if any, of the following models got the MKII engine?
KZ1000C3 - C4
KZ1000E (ST)
KZ1000G (Classic)

Thanks in advance, and Merry Christmas
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First my hat is off to you for taking on what IMO will be somewhat of a harder than one thinks project. Second I have some info on the 650s but not much of the other bikes. The KZ650s were offered in the US from 1977 through 1983, not 1978 - 1981 as your list shows. I have included some attachments with a table of the 650s frame and engine numbers I could find and make sense of. Keep in mind the F2, F3 and F4 models were not offered in US.

I have also included a document I created several years ago showing the front and back of shop/service manuals I could find.
I suggest you also take a look at this site for more info. www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Kawasaki

Thanks. I included in my message only those years I am missing, not all of the years a particular model was imported.

I posted this the other day but the forum software dumped it for some reason. Anyway, hope it helps.

Nessism wrote: I posted this the other day but the forum software dumped it for some reason. Anyway, hope it helps.

Hi Ed,
Thanks for that chart. What happened was that I had to do an emergency restore of the database and lost 24 hours of posts while doing so.
My Bad!
Bill

CycleChaos.com has the frame & engine number info for many Kawasaki motorcycles. CycleChaos

This image is from the 1981-83 KZ650 FSM. manual part number 99924-1028-03.
The D4/F2/F3/F4 models weren't sold in the USA. Not sure about Canada or Mexico.

I can confirm that my 80/81 Z1 classic G did not have the mkll motor in it.

kevski wrote: I can confirm that my 80/81 Z1 classic G did not have the mkll motor in it.

That's interesting. I would have thought all engines in 1980 were MK2. My LTD has a MK2 engine. Is it a 1015 cc engine and if so, do you have a 15 tooth cam sprocket on the crankshaft?

AFAIK, the 1980 Kawasaki Z1000-H Fuel Injection Model has a MKII engine.

Because I have nothing newer then 1978 I need to be schooled. The KZ900's are easy, as are the KZ1000's up to and thru 1979? Then the MK2? Heres where I get confused. Are the MK2 and the "J" the same.

I'll hang up now and listen to your answer

Mikaw wrote: Because I have nothing newer then 1978 I need to be schooled. The KZ900's are easy, as are the KZ1000's up to and thru 1979? Then the MK2? Heres where I get confused. Are the MK2 and the "J" the same.

I'll hang up now and listen to your answer

The MKII was an improved KZ1000 engine. It had reinforced cases, bigger wrist pins, and bigger center crank journal. It was also 1015cc.

The J engine was pretty much a new design and only 998cc.

TexasKZ wrote:

Mikaw wrote: Because I have nothing newer then 1978 I need to be schooled. The KZ900's are easy, as are the KZ1000's up to and thru 1979? Then the MK2? Heres where I get confused. Are the MK2 and the "J" the same.

I'll hang up now and listen to your answer

The MKII was an improved KZ1000 engine. It had reinforced cases, bigger wrist pins, and bigger center crank journal. It was also 1015cc.

The J engine was pretty much a new design and only 998cc.

Thanks Tex. How many years was the MKII built. Is the "J" missing the kick start option and has the bolt thru the cam cover end plug?