engine number clarification

Thanks again for more info, I think it's all starting to make sense, yes the frame number is KZ650b-008628, so that fits in how the hell they have got 1977 but thats what it says on the v5, but hey ho what do they know1521

I take it the v5 is the registration form, right? If so that's like our system in Denmark, the bike is registered on the frame number only - my GPz 1100 bastich is actually a GPz built onto a 1000J frame, so the registration papers say KZ1000.
Likewise my 650 is registered as a 1977 even if it has a 1979 engine and parts from 5 or 6 different Kawasaki models some of which aren't even 650s

No big deal as long as you know what you have - judging from the pictures, whoever put your bike together did a good job.

charliewdb wrote: Thanks again for more info, I think it's all starting to make sense, yes the frame number is KZ650b-008628, so that fits in how the hell they have got 1977 but thats what it says on the v5, but hey ho what do they know1521

Yes, that frame number definitely is for a 1977 KZ650-B1 frame. Someone did a LOT of work putting all those newer parts on that frame, and it looks like they did a really nice job of it. Ed

Looks like even the instruments are off the later bike. I can only think someone had a damaged frame if they went to such lengths in terms of swapping everything over, there seem to many different parts for it to be someone trying to "restore" a 77. Nice looking bike though.