TOPIC:

Hi there, I'm new to your forum. l'm looking forward to your expertise. My brother passed not long ago and his wife has given me the task of selling hi bike. It's a 1980 1000 LTD with a 5 Code in the 12 digit VIN. I've been told it's a survivor in mint condition,  it's Pearl white. Is that an original  color? Does anyone have any knowledge on the color?
Thanks
Rogerz

Greetings...colors for the 1980 B model (LTD) were sundance blue and black. The only primarily white model was the P model (Police).   

Welcome, to expand on Mcdroid’s comment 

www.zedder.com/Info/80%20KZ1000-B4%20LTD.htm

Can anyone decode the following VIN KZT00B-533041?

Member MIKAW  above pointed you to your answer

80 LTD 

Rogerz wrote:

Can anyone decode the following VIN KZT00B-533041?

I believe that the leading '5' means it was marketed in North America.  '33041' is the number of that model produced...e.g. thirty three thousand and forty first bike of that model produced.  If you go to the zedder.com of the link supplied by Mikaw, you can do that math and see how many KZ1000-B4 were actually manufactured.

I do not know as much about the 900/1000 machines as I do about the 650s. In the 650s case the frame numbers that begin with a 5 indicate the bike was built in the US and not in Japan. Do I know if this is the case for the larger bikes, no I do not. Will say I did some looking at Zedder and it would appear all of the 1000 LTDs (B model) begin with a 5. Went back and look at the orginial 900 ltd which also begin with a 5.  No mention if built in US or Japan there. However when looking at the 1977 A1 info it is indicate those with a 5 as first number were built in the US. What does all this mean, I do not know maybe someone here does.

It is my understanding that there is at least one member here who worked at the factory in the US and maybe able to provide more info than I can.

There is no true “decoding” the vin. Unlike an auto code telling you color, engine, type information. The KHI vin basically identifies the bike model and production number. 

Kz = model
T = unknown 
00 = 1015 CC (1000)
B = LTD, identifying mag wheels, pull back style of handle bars, and stepped seat.
533041 = production number. That production model started with 523544, and ended with last bike being 535555. 

So your bike it a 1980 Kz1000 B4 built approximately April/May of 1980. A build date should be on a white sticker on the steering head tube. Like I said I’d guess 4 or 5 of 80 (4 80 or 5 80)

These decal sets will help you Identify what color you bike was either Ebony or Sundance blue.

 

Thanks everybody, the info is incredible. 

Rogerz