Frame differences 1976 KZ900 A and B

  • 1981kz750ltd
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Frame differences 1976 KZ900 A and B

08 Jun 2019 11:20
#805359
I have two bikes here. First one a 1976 KZ900B LTD. KZ900B503XXX. VIN # stamped on left side of neck. Black frame.

The second bike I recently picked up recently KZ900503XXX Stamped on right side of neck. Frame painted white sometime in the past..
First pic is the A. Don't judge me on the wad of wiring, it's a work in progress.


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Re: Frame differences 1976 KZ900 A and B

08 Jun 2019 12:52
#805367
Idk.. where does the white bike fit into this number range?
The LTD has "KZ900B503xxx... stamped on the neck.
The white bike has "KZ900503xxx stamped on the neck but according to this should it also have the "B" in the VIN #, but it doesn't. It also has a 77 KZ1000 engine.
1976 Z900-A4
FRAME NUMBER: Z1F-085701 >
ENGINE NUMBER: Z1E-086001 >
COLOUR: DIAMOND DARK GREEN OR DIAMOND BROWN
A few extra models
rolled off the American production line in Lincoln in 1977 known as the KZ900-A5.

1976 KZ900-B1 LTD
FRAME NUMBER: KZ900B-500011 >
ENGINE NUMBER: Z1E- 108503 >
COLOUR: CLASSIC RED

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  • hardrockminer
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Re: Frame differences 1976 KZ900 A and B

08 Jun 2019 14:24 - 08 Jun 2019 14:27
#805370
KZ900 was produced in Japan and in the USA. The US models all begin with S/N 5xxxxx .

Engines came from Japan and were simply an extension of the Z1B engine numbers, which ended around 87500. KZ900 engines would begin with Z1E - XXXXXX. Early KZ900's would have a S/N less than 100,000.

The "B" in the serial number indicates it's an LTD model. If there is no B then it was a standard model. KZ1000's used "A" to designate the standard model. I'm not sure if that was done with the KZ900. It may have simply been Z1F-xxxxxx.

It's unusual to have the S/N stamped on the right side of the neck. I've never seen that. Every one I've seen has been on the left side, from bottom to top.
I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.
Last edit: 08 Jun 2019 14:27 by hardrockminer.
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Re: Frame differences 1976 KZ900 A and B

08 Jun 2019 16:15
#805371
It's unusual to have the S/N stamped on the right side of the neck. I've never seen that. Every one I've seen has been on the left side, from bottom to top.

That has been my observation also. This VIN# runs from top to bottom.

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Re: Frame differences 1976 KZ900 A and B

08 Jun 2019 17:34 - 08 Jun 2019 17:40
#805377
Frames/bikes made for the European market had the VIN stamped on the right side of the steering neck.

Z900 A4 Frame and rebuild

z-classiker-berichte.z1000j.de/Alben/Hanno/index.html



My 1975 Z 1 B 900 Project

www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/605133...ears-deep-sleep-mode

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Last edit: 08 Jun 2019 17:40 by Scirocco.
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Re: Frame differences 1976 KZ900 A and B

09 Jun 2019 19:38
#805438
1981kz750ltd wrote: I have two bikes here. First one a 1976 KZ900B LTD. KZ900B503XXX. VIN # stamped on left side of neck. Black frame.

The second bike I recently picked up recently KZ900503XXX Stamped on right side of neck. Frame painted white sometime in the past..
First pic is the A. Don't judge me on the wad of wiring, it's a work in progress.


[IMG

[IMG

The 1976 KZ900 street model came with a rear drum brake.

Good Fortune! :)
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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Re: Frame differences 1976 KZ900 A and B

10 Jun 2019 13:14
#805457
Interesting comments. Perhaps this bike was built for European export and that's why it has the rear disc? Was it diverted from export and sold domestically ? Was it "upgraded" to rear disc by a previous owner? Since the Federal sticker on the neck was gone I had to have a Level II inspection done. No record or title history of any kind for that VIN# was found anywhere nationwide.

The VIN #'s for the two bikes I have are separated by 161 , the white bike having come down the assembly line first.

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Re: Frame differences 1976 KZ900 A and B

10 Jun 2019 15:08
#805469
1981kz750ltd wrote: Interesting comments. Perhaps this bike was built for European export and that's why it has the rear disc? Was it diverted from export and sold domestically ? Was it "upgraded" to rear disc by a previous owner? Since the Federal sticker on the neck was gone I had to have a Level II inspection done. No record or title history of any kind for that VIN# was found anywhere nationwide.

The VIN #'s for the two bikes I have are separated by 161 , the white bike having come down the assembly line first.

I'm reasonably certain that the 1976 KZ900-B LTD was the first KZ900 to have a rear disc and that no 1976 KZ900 street model was produced by Kawasaki with a rear disc.



Good Fortune! :)
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD

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Re: Frame differences 1976 KZ900 A and B

10 Jun 2019 15:52
#805472
Yes, and I believe the rear caliper is different than any others that Kawasaki used.
I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.

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Re: Frame differences 1976 KZ900 A and B

28 Jun 2019 07:19
#806620
Based on Scirocco's input with the right hand side upside down VIN# stamping compared to domestic bikes, and a complete lack of title record history, I'm wondering if this bike was exported to Mexico and then found it's way back to the USA. With that said, It's just darn odd that it has a bore kit from a shop that was located in Maryland.

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  • z1kzonly
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Re: Frame differences 1976 KZ900 A and B

28 Jun 2019 09:45
#806630
They gray primer frame was the original LTD frame, with that rear master bracket.
The black frame, that bracket was homemade and welded on. And that aluminum body master cyl. is from the 76 LTD.

These old frames are so easy to stamp #'s in. over 40 yrs. I have done this dozens of times.
I wish I had pictures. I made a jig with the 1/4" stock. Rectangular. Factory used basic industrial 1/4" stamps. So I would tack weld the jig on the neck after it was ground smooth. line up 1/4" spacer pieces. put 1 letter & number at a time. pound it. then remove and go to the next! Smooth it out. paint with primer. No cops ever scrutinized these old Jap bikes vin #'s Like they did with Harleys around my area.
Livin in "CheektaVegas, NY
Went thru 25 of these in 40 yrs.
I SOLD OUT! THE KAW BARN IS EMPTY.
More room for The Old Girl, Harley 75 FLH Electra Glide,
Old faithful! Points ign. Bendix Orig. carb.
Starts everytime!
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  • Dr. Gamma
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Re: Frame differences 1976 KZ900 A and B

28 Jun 2019 10:22
#806636
z1kzonly wrote: They gray primer frame was the original LTD frame, with that rear master bracket.
The black frame, that bracket was homemade and welded on. And that aluminum body master cyl. is from the 76 LTD.

These old frames are so easy to stamp #'s in. over 40 yrs. I have done this dozens of times.
I wish I had pictures. I made a jig with the 1/4" stock. Rectangular. Factory used basic industrial 1/4" stamps. So I would tack weld the jig on the neck after it was ground smooth. line up 1/4" spacer pieces. put 1 letter & number at a time. pound it. then remove and go to the next! Smooth it out. paint with primer. No cops ever scrutinized these old Jap bikes vin #'s Like they did with Harleys around my area.

Very close to what I was doing back in the day.

Some of my number jobs looked better than what Kawasaki did!!!!
1972 H2 750 Cafe Racer built in 1974.
1976 KH400 Production Road Racer.
1979 Kz1000 MK. II Old AMA/WERA Superbike.
1986 RG500G 2 stroke terror.
1986 GSXR750RG The one with the clutch that rattles!

Up in the hills near Prescott, Az.
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