Are police engines any different than std motors??

Had a top machanic tell me years ago that the police motors were build to take on lots of abuse. Now this was a "J" motor we were talking about, not sure of the earlier models.......Is this true? If so, what's different?

No difference, he lied.

A good article to read about the engine differences of the Kawasaki Kz1000's:
www.aperaceparts.com/tech/techkz1000.html

Electricals are different, not the motor.

bountyhunter wrote: Electricals are different, not the motor.

I'd have to disagree... Starter Clutches are junk in KZ J-models, and so is the Clutch Basket, when compared to an '80 and earlier KZ.

z19OO wrote: Had a top machanic tell me years ago that the police motors were build to take on lots of abuse. Now this was a "J" motor we were talking about, not sure of the earlier models.......Is this true? If so, what's different?

Could be mistaken, but interpreted z19OO's question as asking about any difference between the J motor in a police bike compared to the J motor in a non-police bike.

Am unaware of any difference between J motors of police and non-police models in the same year.

Am unaware of any difference between pre-J motors of police and non-police models in the same year.

Good Fortune!

Patton wrote:

z19OO wrote: Had a top machanic tell me years ago that the police motors were build to take on lots of abuse. Now this was a "J" motor we were talking about, not sure of the earlier models.......Is this true? If so, what's different?

Could be mistaken, but interpreted z19OO's question as asking about any difference between the J motor in a police bike compared to the J motor in a non-police bike.

You got it right.

One really cool fact I learned is that the "police" carbs have adjustable needles, unlike the EPA compliant fixed needles of the civillian bikes'

Kraz1 wrote:

bountyhunter wrote: Electricals are different, not the motor.

I'd have to disagree... Starter Clutches are junk in KZ J-models, and so is the Clutch Basket, when compared to an '80 and earlier KZ.

What bits are different in the starter clutch? According to Kawasaki.com part number "13193-1006 CLUTCH ASSY,STARTING" is used in the following models (1973 Z1 through the 2001 KZ1000P):

KLT250-A1 (KLT250) (1982)
KLT250-A2 (KLT250) (1983)
KLT250-C1 (Prairie) (1983)
KLT250-C2 (Prairie) (1984)
KLT250-C3 (Prairie) (1985)
KLT250-P1 (Police) (1984)
KZ1000-A1 (KZ1000) (1977)
KZ1000-A2 (KZ1000) (1978)
KZ1000-A2A (KZ1000) (1978)
KZ1000-A3 (KZ1000) (1979)
KZ1000-A3A (KZ1000) (1979)
KZ1000-A4 (KZ1000) (1980)
KZ1000-B1 (KZ1000 LTD) (1977)
KZ1000-B2 (KZ1000 LTD) (1978)
KZ1000-B3 (KZ1000 LTD) (1979)
KZ1000-B4 (LTD) (1980)
KZ1000-C1 (Police 1000) (1978)
KZ1000-C1A (Police 1000) (1978)
KZ1000-C2 (Police 1000) (1979)
KZ1000-C3 (Police 1000) (1980)
KZ1000-C4 (Police 1000) (1981)
KZ1000-D1 (Z1R) (1978)
KZ1000-D3 (Z1R) (1980)
KZ1000-E1 (Shaft) (1979)
KZ1000-E2 (Shaft) (1980)
KZ1000-G1 (Classic) (1980)
KZ1000-J1 (1981)
KZ1000-J2 (1982)
KZ1000-J3 (1983)
KZ1000-K1 (LTD) (1981)
KZ1000-K2 (LTD) (1982)
KZ1000-M1 (CSR) (1981)
KZ1000-M2 (CSR) (1982)
KZ1000-P1 (Police 1000) (1982)
KZ1000-P10 (Police 1000) (1991)
KZ1000-P11 (Police 1000) (1992)
KZ1000-P12 (Police 1000) (1993)
KZ1000-P13 (Police 1000) (1994)
KZ1000-P14 (Police 1000) (1995)
KZ1000-P15 (Police 1000) (1996)
KZ1000-P16 (Police 1000) (1997)
KZ1000-P17 (Police 1000) (1998)
KZ1000-P18 (Police 1000) (1999)
KZ1000-P19 (Police 1000) (2000)
KZ1000-P2 (Police 1000) (1983)
KZ1000-P20 (Police 1000) (2001)
KZ1000-P3 (Police 1000) (1984)
KZ1000-P4 (Police 1000) (1985)
KZ1000-P5 (Police 1000) (1986)
KZ1000-P6 (Police 1000) (1987)
KZ1000-P7 (Police 1000) (1988)
KZ1000-P8 (Police 1000) (1989)
KZ1000-P9 (Police 1000) (1990)
KZ1000-R1 (Eddie Lawson Replica) (1982)
KZ1000-R2 (Eddie Lawson Replica) (1983)
KZ1100-A1 (Shaft) (1981)
KZ1100-A2 (Shaft) (1982)
KZ1100-A3 (Shaft) (1983)
KZ1100-B1 (GPz) (1981)
KZ1100-B2 (GPz) (1982)
KZ1100-D1 (Spectre) (1982)
KZ1100-D2 (Spectre) (1983)
KZ1100-L1 (LTD Shaft) (1983)
KZ250-D1 (KZ250) (1980)
KZ250-D2 (CSR) (1981)
KZ250-L1 (CSR Belt) (1982)
KZ250-W1 (LTD Belt) (1983)
KZ900-A4 (1976)
KZ900-A5 (1977)
KZ900-B1 (LTD) (1976)
Z1 (Z1) (1973)
Z1-A (Z1) (1974)
Z1-B (Z1) (1975)

Polar_Bus wrote: One really cool fact I learned is that the "police" carbs have adjustable needles, unlike the EPA compliant fixed needles of the civillian bikes'

That's interesting. My "79 has adjustable needles.

650ed wrote:

Kraz1 wrote:

bountyhunter wrote: Electricals are different, not the motor.

I'd have to disagree... Starter Clutches are junk in KZ J-models, and so is the Clutch Basket, when compared to an '80 and earlier KZ.

What bits are different in the starter clutch? According to Kawasaki.com part number "13193-1006 CLUTCH ASSY,STARTING" is used in the following models (1973 Z1 through the 2001 KZ1000P):

I think the facts are from personal experience, the J-Model tends to eat their s Starter Clutches. faster.

Patton wrote:

z19OO wrote: Had a top machanic tell me years ago that the police motors were build to take on lots of abuse. Now this was a "J" motor we were talking about, not sure of the earlier models.......Is this true? If so, what's different?

Could be mistaken, but interpreted z19OO's question as asking about any difference between the J motor in a police bike compared to the J motor in a non-police bike.

Am unaware of any difference between J motors of police and non-police models in the same year.

Am unaware of any difference between pre-J motors of police and non-police models in the same year.

Good Fortune!

Reading the question, I see it as J-Models versus Earlier Non-J-Models. Maybe the original poster will clarify. However, Ed is welcome to come over and change the Clutch Basket on my '81 CSR for the Billet one, and when the Starter Clutch pukes, I'll buy the next round for him too. :lol: