1981 KZ1000J1 VERSUS CSR

Please help me out here lol. How many 1981 KZ1000J1's were made ? What is the difference between a J1 and a CSR ? I'm still learning here so thanks everyone for all your help and ideas. Trying to restore this bike for the original owners son. Want it as original as possible and it only has 16,000 miles on it and has not been on the road since 1988. Engine is rebuilt and frame is almost ready for installation. Thanks again, Happy New Year and bless you all, Jon

I want to say the engines is the same, but the CSR was a less expensive bike. Spoke wheels, and more of a cruiser.

Cruiser as opposed to what ? I am a 60 year old wrench monkey lol. I had a Kawasaki KZ650 back in the day when I was in my 20's (please don't ask me what year it was lol) but I enjoyed the heck out of it. I have ridden this bike a few times back in the early 80's when I traded bikes for a day with my best buddy (God rest him) and I had a Suzuki 1100. I think what your referring to is a sport bike as opposed to a "Cruiser" ? Just looking for answers. Thanks for your reply. It all helps. Be well, Jon

Well, the KZ1000J was more of a 'Standard' bike, it was the one the racing teams modded into Superbikes.

The LTD and CSR were the cruisers, with the higher handlebars, stepped seats, different suspensions, peanut shaped tanks, and fork angle, etc.

Of those two, the CSR was a lesser expensive version, and Kawasaki did well with them and sold a lot of them.

The Kawasaki factory service manual has pictures and specs for each model.

www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/kawasaki...saki_z1000j%2081.htm
www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcyclespecsh...kawasaki-CSR1000.htm
www.z-power.co.uk/merchantmanager/view_information.php?pId=29

Frames are considerably different also
Barney

To the best of my recollection, the biggest differences can be found--
Frame
Wheels
Tires
Brakes
Handlebars
Instruments
Fuel tank
Seat
Frame
Exhaust system
Camshafts
Fenders
Colors

I think the forks are different, too.

So just about everything is different. :laugh:

They use the same oil filter!