76 kz900c?

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76 kz900c?

24 Aug 2025 06:17 - 24 Aug 2025 06:18
#916364
A friend of mine e seen this bike listed for sale with super low vin# and never seen by me 900c?Anyone know anything about this? 
77 ltd1000 80 ltd1000 78kz1000a ,02 red zrx 12r, 94 cb1000 big one ,03 valkyrie (my couch) 65 olds 442
Last edit: 24 Aug 2025 06:18 by ronnieV.

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Re: 76 kz900c?

24 Aug 2025 08:21 - 24 Aug 2025 08:41
#916367
I have not seen anything like that. I will say with the 5 as first number, it makes me think it was put together in the US as opposed to Japan. I would also think with the build date it was intended to be sold as a 77 model year. But what do I know?

The more I think about this did not the Police versions carry a C in the vin. So an early version of the police bike, and most likely sold as a 76 model year?
1977 KZ650 B1
Pods and Denco header

OLD KAW OWNERS SMILE ALOT
Last edit: 24 Aug 2025 08:41 by gd4now.
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Re: 76 kz900c?

24 Aug 2025 14:32
#916380
gd4now wrote:

The more I think about this did not the Police versions carry a C in the vin. So an early version of the police bike, and most likely sold as a 76 model year?
I think you're right.  KHI began making police bikes with the Z1B.  I almost bought one about 15 years ago.  They were basically Z1B bikes with some mods.  The next year (1976) they probably had the mods done at the factory.  What intrigues me with this bike though is the build date is towards the end of the model year (6/76) yet the serial number suggests it was the 8th bike manufactured in the US factory.  Perhaps Krazee can enlighten us as he worked in the factory.
I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar.
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Re: 76 kz900c?

24 Aug 2025 15:48 - 24 Aug 2025 15:49
#916381
My two 74 Police bike numbers are similar. Both start with Z1E. 
 
Vinsky
Last edit: 24 Aug 2025 15:49 by Vinsky.

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Re: 76 kz900c?

24 Aug 2025 18:27
#916384
I think that's a 75.  The engine number certainly is.
I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar.

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Re: 76 kz900c?

24 Aug 2025 20:37
#916387
These guys at Z1 Enterprises have some good reference for motor numbers / years.  Look under the tech articles.
Vinsky

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Re: 76 kz900c?

26 Aug 2025 08:13
#916408
Vinsky wrote:
These guys at Z1 Enterprises have some good reference for motor numbers / years.  Look under the tech articles.
I did and they show nothing 
 
77 ltd1000 80 ltd1000 78kz1000a ,02 red zrx 12r, 94 cb1000 big one ,03 valkyrie (my couch) 65 olds 442

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Re: 76 kz900c?

26 Aug 2025 09:30
#916409
In researching the Kawasaki Police Bike history to refresh my 50 Y.O. memory, I found the information to be somewhat conflicting, and incomplete concerning the 900CC models. The Z1Ps, which ran through 1975, were imported and then modified in the U.S. I'm GUESSING this was done in California? I know we did not modify Z1 models in Lincoln to police spec. For 1976 there was the KZ900 Police Special, but I can't say for sure if they were built in Lincoln, and I don't see any reference as to the VIN range. The bike in question could be one of those, but as HRM said, the VIN is really low to be in the last few weeks of 1976 model year production. Our summer shutdown was always the end of June, with the next model year production starting when we returned in July. The first "C" model I find mention of is the 1977 Model KZ1000C, with the VIN range from KZ1000C-500001 to 500506. 
I do know someone that was heavily involved with the Police Bike program, I may reach out to him to see if he can shed any additional light on the subject.

Mike
Former M.E. at Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing, Lincoln, NE
1966 W1 (the Z1 of 1966-50H.P. and 100mph!)
1974 Z1
1978 KZ1000 LTD
1976 KZ900B pile O parts
1980 KZ750E
1980 Honda XL250S (I know, wrong flavor!)
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Re: 76 kz900c?

26 Aug 2025 10:24 - 26 Aug 2025 10:26
#916410
krazee1 wrote:
In researching the Kawasaki Police Bike history to refresh my 50 Y.O. memory, I found the information to be somewhat conflicting, and incomplete concerning the 900CC models. The Z1Ps, which ran through 1975, were imported and then modified in the U.S. I'm GUESSING this was done in California? I know we did not modify Z1 models in Lincoln to police spec. For 1976 there was the KZ900 Police Special, but I can't say for sure if they were built in Lincoln, and I don't see any reference as to the VIN range. The bike in question could be one of those, but as HRM said, the VIN is really low to be in the last few weeks of 1976 model year production. Our summer shutdown was always the end of June, with the next model year production starting when we returned in July. The first "C" model I find mention of is the 1977 Model KZ1000C, with the VIN range from KZ1000C-500001 to 500506. 
I do know someone that was heavily involved with the Police Bike program, I may reach out to him to see if he can shed any additional light on the subject.

Mike
Knowledge like this is why KZR is so GREAT!  Thanks, Mike!  We don't expect perfect answers, but yours moves us forward!  

I don't know crap about what Kawasaki did back in those days, but with a SN of 8, and build date mid-year, it's hard to imagine this vehicle being anything other than a 1977 model year bike.

 
Ed
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/61807...-o-ring-kits?start=0

www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know

1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread
Last edit: 26 Aug 2025 10:26 by Nessism.
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Re: 76 kz900c?

26 Aug 2025 11:16
#916412
I agree  Ed, KZrider's own knowledgeable member who spent time in several different positions at the Lincoln plant does provide interesting history regarding it and the machines built there. I too do not  have experience with said plant, other than I knew some machines were built there. I do not know if this is true or not, info on this site  americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_1340383 indicates the at least some of the police bikes were built there in 1976, as one has been donated to the Smithsonian.
1977 KZ650 B1
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OLD KAW OWNERS SMILE ALOT
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Re: 76 kz900c?

26 Aug 2025 12:13
#916413
I saw that article in my quick search this morning, the KZ900 Police Special, it would be interesting to know the VIN.  I don't know why it would be a C2, as I believe the previous converted Z1s were Z1Ps. I don't know and couldn't discover whether or not they had specific (police bike only) VINs or not.  
BTW, it's fun to share what I remember, I wish I would have paid more attention!

Mike
Former M.E. at Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing, Lincoln, NE
1966 W1 (the Z1 of 1966-50H.P. and 100mph!)
1974 Z1
1978 KZ1000 LTD
1976 KZ900B pile O parts
1980 KZ750E
1980 Honda XL250S (I know, wrong flavor!)
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Re: 76 kz900c?

26 Aug 2025 14:52
#916418
Mike, I for one do thank you for whatever you do recall from your time there and share with the rest of us. 
1977 KZ650 B1
Pods and Denco header

OLD KAW OWNERS SMILE ALOT
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