whats the difference

My frame plate, little unclear, but is 8/79, next number is KZT00D etc, panel above reads Z1000D.
Tony

Another angle !!

A manufacture date of 8/79 or 10/79 would be considered 1980 models. It's generally accepted that a model year runs from July 1 of the prior year to June 30 of the model year. This allows the factory enough lead time to have next year's models at the dealers by the September/October time frame.

Yeah, good call NONB, bit like imported cars I guess.
(or duh, I did'nt think of that)
Tony

Z1R rider wrote:

Mcdroid wrote:

RonKZ650 wrote:

Yea, they were only made in 1978 and 1980. The differences have been pretty much summed up already, the 1980 had dual exhaust, the 19" front wheel, larger black tank, of course the 1980 spec MKII engine with electronic ignition ect.

Hmmm...there were certainly no Z1R's imported into North America in 1979, for all the reasons listed, but not sure about none being made in 1979. I seem to recall a thread on this site several years ago where a KZR member was in mainland Europe and talked to the owner and posted pictures of a genuine 1979 Z1R.<br><br>Post edited by: Mcdroid, at: 2007/08/08 11:37

It was my understanding that by 78 the KZ's were made in Lincon Ne. Also that no Z1R's were made in 79 and that some 78s were repainted and sold as 79s and many were retrofitted with the bigger 80 tanks and exaust and sold in Europe as 79s. I would be interested to see if anyone can show a 79 with a late ( Nov. Dec.)78 or 79 (before Nov.) build date on the steering head. There seem to be a lot of wives tales and speculation about 79 Z1R's. Maybe we should send it to Myth Busters :lol: :lol:

Yeah, it will take some serious sleuthing to figure this one out...if you look at the VIN's on www.zedder.com you'll note that none of the frame VIN number series begin with '5' suggesting all the Z1Rs were assembled in Japan, not Nebraska. If you interpolate the frame and motor VINs between the 1978 and 1980 model info, there is a gap of 200 (frame VIN) to 400 (motor VIN) numbers suggesting that perhaps there was actually a small run of elusive 1979 Z1Rs.