engine number clarification

Hi guys new to the site, I've got a kz650 and am having a few problems with spares, it's listed in the v5 as 1977 b1, But I'm beginning to feel it has a later engine fitted as the spares for the engine are wrong when they turn up, could someone possibly confirm the model machine this engine comes from, I have looked around and just got confused (It doesn't take much) lol, thanks a Charlie
The Engine number is,,,,,,KZ650BE129344

The engine number looks like it would be for a 80 or 81 model, I believe the earlier ones had 0's after the BE in the engine number. Do you have a picture of the motor? They look different externally. I have a complete original 77 bike and an extra 78 motor, to compare a picture too. What parts have you bought that don't fit?

Hi Thanks for the reply, I bought a starter motor repair kit and it was wrong, I also need to rebuild the starter motor, but dont want to order repair kit and that be wrong to

Pictures would help. The 1977 KZ650 models came with a unique generator. If the generator cover on your engine has the 3 allen screws circled in the image below it is a 1977 engine (unless someone changed the generator - unlikely). Otherwise, it is a later engine. Ed

Not a great photo will try and get some better ones

I know the some 750 have a later 4 brush starter, the earier being a 2 brush.

Maybe the part has been uprated, I'm pretty sure they are interchangeable between 650 and 750..

Ah right the starter I have is the four brush type, thats a big help thanks

Your bike might be a 1982 KZ650-F3. Like yours, that model had blacked engine, ignition cover and generator cover; CV carbs; rear drum brake; dual front disks with round holes between rivets; alloy wheels; etc. Some other models had some of those features, but I know of none other than the F3 that had them all.

However, the F3 came with painted, not chrome fenders. The 1981 KZ650-F2 came with chrome fenders and other features similar to yours, but it had VM carbs, not CV type carbs like your bike.

Does the frame number (stamped in the steering neck) begin with KZ650F. If so, it definitely is an F model. Nice bike. What makes you believe you need to rebuild the starter? Ed

That's definitely an 80's motor as I said from the engine number. I'm not seeing much at all on the bike that's saying it's a 77 KZ650B1 even allowing for extensive mods.

Hi Thanks for all that information, the bike wasn't starting properly, like something was slipping, so thinking it may be the starter clutch ordered a rebuild kit, when it arrived noticed it wasn't the same, while I was in there took a look at the starter, it was in good shape but needed new bushes and two rubber casing seals, so want to find out exactly what spec and year to order

As Ed already said, everything but the fenders check out with a 1982 F3. The F3 engines start at KZ650BE129201, so your engine is one of the first 150 F3's made, which could explain the chrome fenders - it may have been factory fitted with leftover F2 fenders or they could have been either rechromed or swapped later.

Anything is possible but I doubt someone put an F3 engine in an F2 and went to the trouble of swapping the carbs and airbox as well (both are different between the two).

The frame number will tell for sure, the F2 frames start at KZ650F-007201, the F3 frames at KZ650F-012401.

Really nice bike, I like that Harris exhaust, just wish mine looked like that.