Engine Model (Frankenstein Bike)

Hello fellow KZ enthusiasts! I am new to this site as a member, but I have always found peoples input very useful when working on my KZ.

I bought (what the previous owner told me) a 1982 KZ1000 LTD, however, when I took the bike to a local mechanic he revealed to me that I bought a Frankenstein bike. Meaning, the frame and the engine were from two different bikes. The frame was from a K2 LTD, but the engine I have no idea.

My cousin and I just completed customizing and painting the frame. We are now approaching the engine rebuild process, but I do not have a specific engine model to buy parts for. I have already tried contacting Kawasaki directly and they don't seem to care. Can anybody please help me?

The engine number reads: KZT00AE097995

Thanks! I really appreciate it!

Looks like your motor came from a 1980 Police bike.

Click the link: zedder.com/Info/80%20KZ1000-C3%20Police.htm

Welcome to KZR!

yeah judging from the head and valve cover id say 79-80 1000

Somethings not adding up for me...1982 should have a J Model engine ??

Initial post indicated frame and engine from different bikes.bj

Got that part- 1980 KZ1000 and 1982 J Model engines have very different motor mounts and I've seen a J engine in a Z frame but never the other way around...just curious.

jc whitney/transdapt! :woohoo:

I thought this engine came from a police bike. I even bought the Clymer maintenance manual but then I took it to the mechanic and he thought it was a 79 j model.

I went to kzpage.com and it look like there were only three possibilities: 1980 police, A3, and the B4. I'm convinced its a 1980 police though. Thanks! Now I can get started on the engine rebuild.

aegonza1 wrote:

I thought this engine came from a police bike. I even bought the Clymer maintenance manual but then I took it to the mechanic and he thought it was a 79 j model.

I went to kzpage.com and it look like there were only three possibilities: 1980 police, A3, and the B4. I'm convinced its a 1980 police though. Thanks! Now I can get started on the engine rebuild.

The good news is that the C3, A3 and A4 motors are all very similar when it comes to rebuild parts. I'd avoid the mechanic that called the motor a 1979 J...there were no 1979 J motors...J bikes/motors didn't appear until the 1981 year models were introduced

That's good to know. Thanks!