KZ650 C1 Mfg. Date - 2/77

...is it a '77, or a '78?

Should be a '77C1 then. not sure on bikes but Cars its July and later months becomes the next model year.

elfmagic17 wrote: Should be a '77C1 then. not sure on bikes but Cars its July and later months becomes the next model year.

...I'm figuring it's a '77, but the serial # says it's a C3, not a C1. It's got 3 discs, but they're not drilled. Doesn't have the smog cam cover, either. Sounds like a C1.

If the info I have been able to find is correct the production run on the 1977 C1 began in Dec of 76, since your build date is 2/77 I would agree it is a 77 C1. The production run on the 1978 C2 did not begin till June or later in 77.

...but the serial # says C3, how is that possible?

This is what I found, but it makes no sense with what's on the bike.

(K)Z650-C1 1977 KZ650BE017852 ~ KZ650C-000001 ~ Metallic Regal Blue, Moon Dust Silver
(K)Z650-C2 1978 KZ650BE043950 ~ KZ650C-010001 ~ Metallic Star Dust Silver
(K)Z650-C3 1979 KZ650BE092001 ~ KZ650C-022801 ~ Luminous Dark Blue

...forget it! It's a C1. Must be huffing too many gas and carb cleaner fumes. It's definitely a C1.

...I'd better install that ventilation fan in my shed!

...thanks for helping me clear this up guys. The person I got the bike from thought it was a '79.

never mind

Here is a table of frame and engine numbers for the (k)z650 I created from info I could find. Keep in mind that I am not saying it is 100% correct - rather it is what I can find. Kawasaki has not to my knowledge released this info to the public. Zedder does not list any frame or engine number info for the 650s and they do list this type of info for many many other bikes.

martin_csr wrote:

KraZyRIDER wrote: ...but the serial # says C3, how is that possible?

Kinda curious.... Where are/were you seeing C3? In the frame number or engine number? neither? hee

...nowhere, my stupidity. The frame says 650c and someone told me a certain # was the year. It was a 3. He was wrong, it doesn't work that way. I was stupid for listening to him. Should have done the research first. I was told the titleless bike was a '79, but it's actually a '77.

...by the way, the bike wouldn't run, just chugged a little. I pulled the carbs and cleaned them, it wasn't getting gas to 2 cylinders and barely to a third. This thing runs like a raped ape now. I just might keep the damn thing.

gd4now wrote: Here is a table of frame and engine numbers for the (k)z650 I created from info I could find. Keep in mind that I am not saying it is 100% correct - rather it is what I can find. Kawasaki has not to my knowledge released this info to the public. Zedder does not list any frame or engine number info for the 650s and they do list this type of info for many many other bikes.

...appreciate your effort. Finally figured it out. It is a '77 and I should have researched it myself. Rather than listening to someone who didn't know his ass from a KZ.

I have a 77 KZ650C built in 12/76 a very early production bike (#757) She doesn't currently run but she will someday. :woohoo: