block identification ???

hey everybody , have a 1977 650 , i know its concidered a b1 , does anybody know what the E stands for in this block identification # ,KZ650BE-504812, my neighbor says its european with different gearing in the tranny for the autobahn , sometime he knows what he is talking about , other times, well you get the picture . anybody ? 650ed you got anything on this?

'E' does not stand for European. Older Kawasaki motors always have an 'E' in the VIN number immediately following the model number...this differentiates it from the frame VIN and might coincidentally represent the word 'engine'

To my knowledge all KZ650 engines have the E in the serial number. Regarding the European bikes, I understand from the manuals there is a "German" model and a "European" model. There were some differences such as horsepower, longer rear fenders, etc. but I have never seen anything that shows different gearing. The German bikes came with 67 hp vs our (1977) 64 HP; the European model has a "city light" (which is a 4w running light), slightly dimmer highbeam (45W vs 50W), and some other minor lighting differences. The manuals I have are not specific as to what makes the German HP greater than ours. Ed

650ed wrote: To my knowledge all KZ650 engines have the E in the serial number. Regarding the European bikes, I understand from the manuals there is a "German" model and a "European" model. There were some differences such as horsepower, longer rear fenders, etc. but I have never seen anything that shows different gearing. The German bikes came with 67 hp vs our (1977) 64 HP; the European model has a "city light" (which is a 4w running light), slightly dimmer highbeam (45W vs 50W), and some other minor lighting differences. The manuals I have are not specific as to what makes the German HP greater than ours. Ed

I would have to guess that since they were running leaded gas up into the 90s it would allow them to run more timing advance there thus adding more power to the mix, just a guess though.

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thanx everybody . 650 ed you really know your stuff . on the german models , maybe bigger carbs and different baffles ? my neighbor is gonna be so confused . hehe thanx again

yea martin csr ,i understand the manufacture date thing , the sticker is half gone , so i was going with the charging system having three yellow wires from altanator for confirmation until i checked out your links , thanx man.