Engine numbers

Hello, I have a KZ650 engine that I need to know the year of and, all I have are the engine case numbers. Can anyone tell me which year it is or point me to a way to find out? The numbers are KZ650BE051664. Any help in solving this mystery is a great help, thanks.

It's a 1978 model.

Thanks I really appreciate it. Is there some way to decipher these? I know how Harley does theirs but,I would like to know about kawasaki's way.

I have the parts microfiche used by Kawasaki for KZ650 and KZ1000. They list all the info there is where I got it. There's places on the web that try to do it like zedder.com, but a lot of times they are not correct.

Unfortunately, www.zedders.com doesn't cover 650's, for some unknown reason. If you google KZ650, you'll get several sites that list frame/motor VINs by year, but also unfortunately, they also are fraught with errors. Ron is correct, it is a 1978 KZ650B motor. To decipher the VIN:

KZ = Kawasaki Z series, 'K' implies it was marketed in North America

650 = engine size (actually 652cc)

B = model series

E = motor VIN number

# = 051664 sequential motor number installed in a frame

Other Kawasaki's have slightly different motor VINs and which additional information can be distilled from. You should also realize that just because the motor is a 'B' series, doesn't mean it was in a 'B' model KZ650 ... Kawasaki had a history of using the same series numbers in several concurrent models.

While we are on the topic of engine numbers. I have a KZ1000 LTD B3 frame# KZT00B-520107(79 LTD B3) Engine # KZT00-AE076926 (according to zedder is an MKII engine #) could one of you confirm this?

Kingchiefa wrote:

While we are on the topic of engine numbers. I have a KZ1000 LTD B3 frame# KZT00B-520107(79 LTD B3) Engine # KZT00-AE076926 (according to zedder is an MKII engine #) could one of you confirm this?

Well, you realize your frame and motor were not originally married. That said, www.zedder.com ID's your frame as a B3, and your motor as in the series originally from a KZ1000A3 (which would make the motor a MKII motor)...and zedder also ID's your motor as from the motor series of the KZ1000C1A model...which would make your motor not a MKII motor. If you really want to know, I suggest you find all those characters that define a MKII motor and the next time you have the engine apart, confirm its identity.

One thing for sure is the MKII engine was black where the LTD and police would be silver. Good easy clue.

I know the MKII was black, I don't get the Engine numbers though, i mean they are stamped right on the case. how could it be two different numbers?

If you are referring to why the same number was listed for two different models (making one motor a MKII and the other not a MKII), it is the old GIGO axiom. AKA Garbage In Garbage Out. The Zedder site is only as good as the information it is based on. If erroneous information was originally posted, and posted in error, then you won't know what is correct until you verify it yourself. To do that, find a list of characters of the MKII motor and see if your motor exhibits those characters.

Mcdroid wrote:

If you are referring to why the same number was listed for two different models (making one motor a MKII and the other not a MKII), it is the old GIGO axiom. AKA Garbage In Garbage Out. The Zedder site is only as good as the information it is based on. If erroneous information was originally posted, and posted in error, then you won't know what is correct until you verify it yourself. To do that, find a list of characters of the MKII motor and see if your motor exhibits those characters.

Ok I get it. Well the motor is def not MKII. Sucks to find out that it is not the original motor also. Still a kick ass ride and I won't be getting rid of it.