1978 Kz 1000

Anyone know what the stock colors were for a 1978 Kz 1000? I might buy one. thanks NDhomer

78 A model? red or green or later in year black

or LTD? black or maroon

or Z1R? kind of blue/silver

thankyou very much for the information, The guy that is selling, says it's black. I'll call in a couple hours and find out if it's a LTD or a spray can job! I hope that It's stock, I want to fix up an older 1000 an LTD would be very nice to have. NDhomer

It's a spraycan job, I can guarantee. 99% of all KZ1000s are now black, at least all the ones I see it seems Nothing wrong with black, but gosh the cruddy paint some of these guys used over the years, blech.
NDHomer wrote:

thankyou very much for the information, The guy that is selling, says it's black. I'll call in a couple hours and find out if it's a LTD or a spray can job! I hope that It's stock, I want to fix up an older 1000 an LTD would be very nice to have. NDhomer

Just got off the phone. SOL on that one, nobody can tell me that KAWS don't GO!

theres a shop here in omaha ne that had one if your looking for a 78,somebody put a cheesy grey paintjob on it and a madmax fairing(sorry goose!)let me know,ill post his #if your interested!happy wrenchin!

Yes, Why Not. It would'nt hurt to check it out. The problem I'm concerned about the most would be shipping. Hey, whats the differences between a CSR and a LTD? Is it just looks, or design, or engine. Mabe how many were produced that year?

I'm no expert on the LTD line, but I believe they had the KZ1000LTD series from 1977-1980 that all had mag wheels but was always basically 1 model year behind the standard KZ1000 in engine upgrades, for example in 1979 when the other KZ1000s upgraded to the MKII spec engine the LTD retained the 1978 engine specs, including points ignition. Then in 1981 when the new J engine was released, Kawasaki had the LTD that had the mag wheels and the less money but very similar CSR that had spoke wheels. I think the idea of the CSR was to draw more buyers for the style for less money. I could be wrong, but my thoughts anyway.
NDHomer wrote:

Yes, Why Not. It would'nt hurt to check it out. The problem I'm concerned about the most would be shipping. Hey, whats the differences between a CSR and a LTD? Is it just looks, or design, or engine. Mabe how many were produced that year?

That pretty much summarizes it, Ron. The only thing I would add is that the 1000CSR line (M1/2) was sold in 1981/2. The 1000LTD line (B1/4) was sold from 1977 through 1980. The 1981/2 1000LTD was the K1/2 line and looked different than the B models. Besides the differences in the engines discussed by Ron, the sitting posture was more upright, the handlebars were more a pullback style, and there was no tail piece. In these characteristics the CSR resembled the K LTD's. In the back of my mind I seem to recall that the CSR (M) line had mechanical tachs while the K line had electronic tachs (but I may be wrong on this).

ive worked on a few 79-80 ltds they had big pin cranks 28mm carbs and electronic ignition just like a 79-80 kz!the exhuast was differant,and they kept the better looking bodywork,16"rear wheel on ltd 18" on kz,same steel fenders as old ltd,kzs/ltds had mechanical cable operated tach,not sure about csr!

Post edited by: wireguy, at: 2005/12/15 15:10

can anyone describe a "KZ1000 STD". i always assumed the STD was a typogrpahical error (for LTD), but it looks like there was both:

www.autorepairmanuals.biz/site/573683/product/M3593-0892878371

what's an STD? thx.

robertson cycle omaha ne 1-402-339-1814 78 kz1000

Post edited by: wireguy, at: 2005/12/15 15:13