Need vin help!

JDRAKE4200 wrote: Z1E-273446......I can't find where this was an engine vin that was ever produced..... What does this mean?

As you face the motor, on the lower left side of the motor just above the engine case, you'll find an embossed area with the cc of the motor...what does that say?

Here is a pic of what is on the case on the left side behind the cylinders

slightly off topic: most of the Uk Haynes service manuals have a good vin and engine number series list, including USA models. That might be worth looking at if you can get. They didn't do one for the later 1000/1100

...says something about the comparative rarity of the big zeds/ zees even back in the day compared to the market share of the other of the big four manufacturers at the time. Haynes, I guess looked at the sales numbers and didn't see a big enough market for a manual, despite covering virtually every other kawasaki bike.

Thanks, don't know if I will be able to get though.

Honestly, that S/N looks modified. After 73, Kawasaki started putting a raised lip around the engine S/N pad. This was to prevent tampering. There is no lip in your photo, which indicates a good possibility someone filed the S/N pad and re-stamped it.

Is there another way I can identify whether this is a 900 or 1000 cc engine

And why would someone do that when the titles go with the frame not the engine

JDRAKE4200 wrote: Here is a pic of what is on the case on the left side behind the cylinders

Attachment 00003b-20.jpg not found

That looks bogus to me. Maybe someone "borrowed" that engine without asking the owner? Here's an example of one that hasn't been tampered with. Ed

Oh well... Mine now. So how can I tell waist engine I have?

Is there another way I can identify whether this is a 900 or 1000 cc engine

Look on the base of the cylinder on the left side. It will show the cylinder displacement in cc's

And why would someone do that when the titles go with the frame not the engine

Because ownership is still traceable by the engine S/N. Most bike's were stolen for the engine, ending up in a drag bike frame or replacement for a blown engine. Ed's pictures are a good example of the lip I was talking about. Plus yours has an added "-". I'm not saying you, or whoever you bought it from stole it, but that engine has a questionable history.

Thanks MDZ