Confusion on what year my bike is

According to the tag on my frame I have a 1978 KZ 1000-B2 LTD. I matched the frame number with the numbers off the Z1 Enterprises website and they matched up with the numbers from the 1978 run but were towards the end of it. I tried to order a part from our local dealer and they couldn't find it under the 1978 year but did find it under the 1979 year. I need to order rebuild kits for the carbs but they are different part numbers for 78 and 79 models and I want to make sure I get the right parts. If anyone has any insight or has run into this problem any info would be appreciated! Thanks!

78 should be 26mm carbs,im pretty sure the 79 was the beginning of the new style 28mm carbs

PLUMMEN wrote:

78 should be 26mm carbs,im pretty sure the 79 was the beginning of the new style 28mm carbs

78 are 26MM.....79 are 28s with pumpers if i remember correctly......put up a pic of carbs.....that will settle it.....

My bike was built in late 78 also but it is a 1979. I have the 28 mm carbs.

There was some strange overlap of models in the late 1970's LTD1000B group. The end of a model run could show characteristics/attributes of that year and the following years' changes/upgrades. This was probably due to incorporating various changes in the parts on the assembly-line as they became available. For example, the KZ1000B3 on-line Kawasaki diagrams shows the bike with VM28 pumpers while the Kawasaki supplemental shop manual states that the bike came with VM26SS carbs. They are probably both right.

I have met someone with an unmolested KZ1000B3 with VM26SS carbs and on the other hand, I purchased (new) a 1979 KZ1000B3 and it came with VM28 pumpers.

As has been suggested, only a photo will ID your bike correctly.

I have a 1979 b-3 that I bought new. I just went out and looked and it says 11-78 for the date it was made. I have the factory service supplement manual that Mcdroid was talking about. It list the carbs as VM26SS with an accelerator pump. I did have the carbs off this past winter and went through them. The jets were the same as listed in the supplement. 102.5 for the main and 15 for the pilot jet.
I dont see any numbers on the carbs and I have never measured them. So I guess the confusion continues.

See this more in USA than Canada, but sometimes registration can start out wrong if the mfg. date is used instead of model year.ie. my 1979 A3 was made in November 1978.

Add to this the fact that 1979 LTD's seem to be a bit of a catch all. Z1 style crank and,cases with MK ll cylinder head & engine covers. Doesn't surprise me to see two different sizes of carbs on these bikes, sounds like maybe they were using up the '78 26's and then switching to the 28's?

OK, Here are some pics of the carbs in question. I'd show you the bike, but it's basically the frame engine and front tire, so I doubt that would help.

C.T. Do you use the factory air box or do you have individual filters on each carb?

I think the 79 LTD still used 26mm. Even if they had the pumps which yours don't they were 26mm. LTD was always a year or two behind in most upgrades, so 28s on the rest of the KZ1000s for 1979 but not the LTD. There's very little difference in the 26s or 28s anyway, same gaskets, most internal parts the same. Different tuning for emissions compliance.

Hey Quam, yes I use air box, I do run a K&N filter in it though. Prob should jet up one size just for that but she runs pretty good like it is.

C.T. wrote:

..have never measured them....

Would measure inside diameter of carb throat on side of carb that attaches to the engine (i.e., the side that fits into the carb holders, not the air intake side that fits into the airbox intake hoses.

Good Fortune!