1980 MKII frame question.

Can anyone tell me the difference in a 1979 MKII frame and a 1980 MKII frame? I have most of the parts from a low mileage 1980- I need a frame and swingarm. I think I might have a 1979 parts bike lined up, I just need to make sure it will work before I spend the money.

Thanks for any help.
tucker

The frames are the same. they are unique to 79 and 80 so you might want to keep the parts bike and use what you need for it from your pile of parts. Or you can always sell it and make a bundle.

Well, I didn't answer this question because the Kawasaki part numbers are different and I don't know the specifics. The trouble with different part numbers is that you don't know the magnitude of the difference...differences could be minor and the frames interchange...or there could be significant differences. I strongly suspect that Don is correct and that the A3 and A4 models are pretty much interchangeable...but the part numbers do differ. :dry:

I don't know how much different they are if at all either, but the 79 is $100 more expensive frame than the 80. Of course I'm sure you couldn't actually buy one, but Kawasaki always supplies the prices anyway.

I have a 79 KZ1000E1 and an 80 KZ1000E2... the frames should be similar to the MK II. The only difference I can think of is that they changed the mounting for the rear master cylinder. The rear master cylinder on the 80 mounted to the battery box and connected to the plunger by a hose where the 79 is a direct mount. I suspect the MK II models were the same but can't be positive.

I know the 79 reservoir isn't remote, but the '80 might be. I know the '80 LTD has a remote reservoir. Is the battery box included with the frame? I'm guessing it is but not sure. I've always wondered exactly what the differences were from the '79 to the '80 (other than paint and no MKII badge). I can't think of anything off the top of my head.

How about the rear footpeg mounts? Those seem to differ quite a bit from model to model.

Post edited by: 79MKII, at: 2007/10/31 15:48

The rear master cylinder is remote on the 80, so that probably is different as far as the frame brackets go. Also different part # for the front peg mounts as well as the seat hinges strangely enough.

Rear pegs from some other model are on my 79 shafty and they are kind of floppy. They fit in a similar manner to the correct ones only the end on the inside that holds them straight when they are down is a bit shorter. I think the ones on my bike are from an earlier KZ. I would like to find some correct pegs.

Ok. Me again. It's a month and a half after the first post about the frame swap. The '79 MK II fell through and I somehow ended up with a 1980 KZ 1000 Shaftie. Any chance that the frame will be anywhere close to the 1980 KZ 1000 MKII? The local junkyard guy says visually it's a close match. It's hard to tell without taking alot of stuff off the shaftie.
Thanks guys.

No.the shafty is different. The swing arm mount area is different. Battery tray and other stuff as well. 79 mk2 and 80 A4 are the same.

Thanks. I just found the frame specs in the owners manuals and the rake and trail are different as well as the overall length. I guess I will just get the shafty on the road and keep looking for a good frame for the MKII. If anyone has anything let me know.

A mk2 frame is a bit of a chore to find. Being that it was only a short run.I believe they stiffened the frame over the stock 1000 frame. But they all still flex. The key to the mk2 was it's engine. Thats the heart of that bike. Drop a mk2 engine in any frame and your ready to go.