Standard Vs LTD?

I may have asked this before...if so, my apologies! I guess its an old age thing. Anyway, is there a way to determine from engine or chassis number....If a bike ( 1975 Z 900 ) was originally an LTD or a Standard Z model?

I think they started making LTD's in 1976.

Here's a page showing the '75 VIN range: www.zedder.com/Info/75%20Z1-B%20900.htm

I'm pretty sure that the first time a LTD was introduced was in 76 so your 75 should be a standard model

Thanks Kapahulu and Bluezbike
My Chassis number is Z1F503xx Engine is Z1E0526X......hmmmmm..... Engine number seems much lower than chassis?!..Guess I am gonna have to look at bike and verify this, these numbers were from the Title
Does that help?

Seasons Greetings ED...check your title against the actual VIN numbers...it might be a typo...but if the difference is real, then perhaps either motor cases or frame has been replaced (depends how Tennessee registers motorcycles).

The 76-80 ltd frame vins start with kz900B for the 900 or kzT00B for the 1000's

They were actually a limited edition for 76, after that they seemingly sold better than the standards, yet they seem like a downgrade, smaller gas tank and all.

ed spangler wrote: Thanks Kapahulu and Bluezbike
My Chassis number is Z1F503xx Engine is Z1E0526X......hmmmmm..... Engine number seems much lower than chassis?

I can tell you that none of the numbers, bike/engine, match on my bikes... and they all were stock orig parts. Maybe others can confirm, but it's quite rare to have EXACTLY matching numbers...

Numbers don't match normally, but are usually close. I'd consider variances of 100 the max to be the original engine/frame. Being off by thousands guarantees somethings been replaced. The 5 in the first vin indicates a USA built unit, the 0 in the second indicates a Japan built unit. I don't believe they ever matched a USA frame with a Japanese engine, but could be mistaken. I think 1976 began the USA builds, so without knowing anything for sure I would guess a 1976 KZ900A, with an earlier year engine installed.

The 75 was a Z1b model. The LTD didn't come out until 76 I believe.

Mcdroid wrote: Seasons Greetings ED...check your title against the actual VIN numbers...it might be a typo...but if the difference is real, then perhaps either motor cases or frame has been replaced (depends how Tennessee registers motorcycles).

Thanks Michael!
Seasons greetings to you and the family as well!
Yes, I need to compare numbers on title with whats on bike.
Regards
Ed

According to K Parts catalog I have 1975 Z1's were as follows:
Frames - Z1F - 047500 - 085700
Engines - Z1E - 046500 - 086000

So it looks like your motor is a 75 but the frame does not fit, I have heard that up to about 200 difference in numbers was OK as they produced both replacement frames and motors for those that needed them. I suspect as has been mentioned there is a typo of some sort.
Hth