What bikes have the same frame as the Z500B 1980?

I'm trying to find various parts and carry out various modifications for my Z500B but theres not alot of information on them, so i'm trying to see if any other Z's from the same era used the same frame?

cheers
Iand

I just tried finding your model on the kawasaki.com site under owner info - parts diagrams, and came up with nothing.

The z500 is a 4 cylinder bike correct?
I'd think it would share a lot of parts with the kz550 of that era then.

I've got a book at home, the Kawasaki Story, that I'll have a look at later.
It may have some info on the z500.

yeah thats right is the 4 cylinder, air cooled, 4 stroke, if i can find out what bikes share the same frame it will open up a whole load more parts which should fit straight on.

cheers for looking

This is a difficult question for any of us in North America to answer as the Z500 was exported only to Europe and Asia (maybe Africa, too). The Z550/KZ550 overlapped in production from 1980 on (the Z500 first appeared in 1979) but was also exported to Europe (and North America) at the same time as the Z500. I suspect that the KZ550A (standard) is awful close to the Z500 but one never knows about those clever Japanese. It wasn't a matter of dropping in a larger displacement engine as the frame numbers for the Z500 and Z550 are different suggesting divergence.

Frame number is 32002-1067.
Taken from this.

I suspect your best bet is the z400J.

This info from the Kawasaki Story:

The Z500B for 1979. This was a compact sporting motorcycle orientated towards the European market, and as there was really no comparable competition it was initially quite popular. Designed by Tadayoshi Nakashima, the double overhead camshaft engine was derived from the Z650B, it's demensions of 55 x 52.4mm being the same as the Z250A, giving a displacement of 498cc. With a compression ratio of 9.5:1, the six-speed 500 produced 52bhp at 9,000rpm. Carburation was by four Mikunis and igniton by points and coil. The running gear was regulation Kawasaki for the period, with cast alloy 19 and 18 inch wheels with disc brakes front and rear, twin 230mm front or a single 250mm, and a rear 237mm disc. Unlike the 650 though, the front forks were leading axle. The Z500 lasted only until 1982.
Following the trend set by other Kawasaki models, the Z500 was bored to become the larger KZ550A for 1980. The 58 x 52.4mm four cylinder engine displaced 553.8cc and produced 54bhp at 8,000rpm.
Also produced were 400cc versions of the air cooled double overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine, and for 1980 there was the Z400J. Based on the Z500, this had a bore and stroke of 52 x 47mm...

Some tech specs for the Z500B 1979-82:

4 cyl, 4 stroke
55mm bore
52.4 stroke
498 cc
9.5:1 compression ratio
air cooled
VM22 Carburetors
6 speed
Hydraulic fork
Twin shock
3.25x19 front tire
3.75x18 rear tire
1,395mm wheelbase
192 kg

rstnick, my info shows that the 79 500 came with a single front disc and a rear drum.After user feedback, Kawa upgraded to twin up front with a disc on rear.Oh and concerning the z250 pistons...they have different part numbers if my memory serves.