That Models / Years Come With The Stepped Seat?
- KZJOE900
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That Models / Years Come With The Stepped Seat?
22 Feb 2013 05:51
Question which has always nagged me about Z1/KZ seats. My first Z was a 74 Z1 which I bought used in 81. But it came with a the stepped seat. My current KZ is an A4 and came with a stepped seat. So my question is, which models came from the factory with stepped seats. Not necessary to mention the LTD's, I would assume they all came standard with the stepped seat.
Here is what I am guessing. And I'm hoping one of the gurus here can set the record straight.
First, I think all the Z1's came standard with the flat seats. I don't think the stepped seats were available until the 1976 models. So even though I see a lot of Z1' with stepped seats (like my 74 came with), they must have been installed by the owners for various reasons years later. OK, so I'm going out on the limb with my next assumption. I am guessing that starting in the 1976 model year, you could order the A4 KZ with the stepped seat (like the one that came standard on the LTD) from the factory as an option. And this continued to be an option for non-LTD KZ's from thereon. So can anyone please give me the real story on these seats?
Here is what I am guessing. And I'm hoping one of the gurus here can set the record straight.
First, I think all the Z1's came standard with the flat seats. I don't think the stepped seats were available until the 1976 models. So even though I see a lot of Z1' with stepped seats (like my 74 came with), they must have been installed by the owners for various reasons years later. OK, so I'm going out on the limb with my next assumption. I am guessing that starting in the 1976 model year, you could order the A4 KZ with the stepped seat (like the one that came standard on the LTD) from the factory as an option. And this continued to be an option for non-LTD KZ's from thereon. So can anyone please give me the real story on these seats?
Current project 76 KZ900 (This was a Vetter model)
76 KZ900
81 XJ550H SECA (Current Project)
82 XJ550R SECA
Past:
86 FJ1200
74 Z1900
72 CB450
76 KZ900
81 XJ550H SECA (Current Project)
82 XJ550R SECA
Past:
86 FJ1200
74 Z1900
72 CB450
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- Patton
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Re: That Models / Years Come With The Stepped Seat?
22 Feb 2013 06:52 - 22 Feb 2013 07:07
No seat option from the factory, but having the same seat pan, A4 flat seat and B1 stepped seat are interchangeable.
A dealer-installed seat option could accommodate the buyer's preference.
And there were several very nice aftermarket seats available in various styles.
Good Fortune!
A dealer-installed seat option could accommodate the buyer's preference.
And there were several very nice aftermarket seats available in various styles.
Good Fortune!

1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
KZ900 LTD
Last edit: 22 Feb 2013 07:07 by Patton.
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- bluej58
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Re: That Models / Years Come With The Stepped Seat?
22 Feb 2013 09:44
We always called them a LTD seat
78 KZ1000 A2A
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- KZJOE900
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Re: That Models / Years Come With The Stepped Seat?
22 Feb 2013 10:28
Looks like I screwed up the title for the thread, LOL. Anyhow, the reason I ask Patton is it seems like the majority of bikes here seem to have these LTD seats. But the majority of bikes are not LTD's. Like your bike JD. You have a KZ1000 A2A right? But you have the LTD seat.
Current project 76 KZ900 (This was a Vetter model)
76 KZ900
81 XJ550H SECA (Current Project)
82 XJ550R SECA
Past:
86 FJ1200
74 Z1900
72 CB450
76 KZ900
81 XJ550H SECA (Current Project)
82 XJ550R SECA
Past:
86 FJ1200
74 Z1900
72 CB450
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- 650ed
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Re: That Models / Years Come With The Stepped Seat?
22 Feb 2013 10:45 - 22 Feb 2013 10:46Patton wrote: No seat option from the factory, but having the same seat pan, A4 flat seat and B1 stepped seat are interchangeable.
A dealer-installed seat option could accommodate the buyer's preference.
And there were several very nice aftermarket seats available in various styles.
Good Fortune!
Including, of course, the elusive but ever-popular double-decker special (AKA roller-coaster):
Attachment 00000.JPG not found
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Attachments:
Last edit: 22 Feb 2013 10:46 by 650ed.
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- KZJOE900
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Re: That Models / Years Come With The Stepped Seat?
22 Feb 2013 10:55650ed wrote:Patton wrote: No seat option from the factory, but having the same seat pan, A4 flat seat and B1 stepped seat are interchangeable.
A dealer-installed seat option could accommodate the buyer's preference.
And there were several very nice aftermarket seats available in various styles.
Good Fortune!
Including, of course, the elusive but ever-popular double-decker special (AKA roller-coaster):
Attachment 00000.JPG not found
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Looks like its got morning wood!
Current project 76 KZ900 (This was a Vetter model)
76 KZ900
81 XJ550H SECA (Current Project)
82 XJ550R SECA
Past:
86 FJ1200
74 Z1900
72 CB450
76 KZ900
81 XJ550H SECA (Current Project)
82 XJ550R SECA
Past:
86 FJ1200
74 Z1900
72 CB450
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- bluej58
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Re: That Models / Years Come With The Stepped Seat?
22 Feb 2013 11:37 - 23 Feb 2013 00:34
When the LTD came out everyone wanted one of those seats and the handle bars too.
The Kawasaki shops around my house started making semi customs using Ltd parts along with what ever else was available at the time including after market paint jobs , engine guards,pipes, sissy bars ect... in an effort to boost sales I suppose.
After 78 when they started to really change the look of the 1000s I kind of lost interest in them
so when or if they started to make stepped seats on a stock version I wasn't paying attention :blush:
But back in the day they were only available from the factory on the Ltd.
I like spoke wheels and never liked the smaller gas tank on the Ltd's
Would have liked a 16" hog tire but they're not doable with a disk as far as I know.
JD
The Kawasaki shops around my house started making semi customs using Ltd parts along with what ever else was available at the time including after market paint jobs , engine guards,pipes, sissy bars ect... in an effort to boost sales I suppose.
After 78 when they started to really change the look of the 1000s I kind of lost interest in them
so when or if they started to make stepped seats on a stock version I wasn't paying attention :blush:
But back in the day they were only available from the factory on the Ltd.
I like spoke wheels and never liked the smaller gas tank on the Ltd's
Would have liked a 16" hog tire but they're not doable with a disk as far as I know.
JD
78 KZ1000 A2A
Last edit: 23 Feb 2013 00:34 by bluej58.
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- KZJOE900
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Re: That Models / Years Come With The Stepped Seat?
22 Feb 2013 11:58 - 22 Feb 2013 11:59
Thanks Patton and JD (and Ed, LOL). Just have always wondered but never asked. In the future, I think I will replace my LTD seat with the standard seat on my A4. May end up not being as comfortable but I like the look of the standard seat better. My LTD seat sure is comfy though
.

Current project 76 KZ900 (This was a Vetter model)
76 KZ900
81 XJ550H SECA (Current Project)
82 XJ550R SECA
Past:
86 FJ1200
74 Z1900
72 CB450
76 KZ900
81 XJ550H SECA (Current Project)
82 XJ550R SECA
Past:
86 FJ1200
74 Z1900
72 CB450
Last edit: 22 Feb 2013 11:59 by KZJOE900.
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- mick z1a
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Re: That Models / Years Come With The Stepped Seat?
22 Feb 2013 13:12
while you guys over the pond were swapping for the ltd seat we were busy over here on this little rock were swapping for the Giuliari 2/4 seat, but neither were ever from standard, my first z9a4 had the Giuliari 2/4 seat, i loved the look but they fetch crazy money now.
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- mick z1a
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Re: That Models / Years Come With The Stepped Seat?
22 Feb 2013 13:16
this was my 900a4 25 years ago, i had to cut the bump off the seat to make room for a mate, i wasnt that keen on him and needed a little distance (if you know what i mean)

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- Patton
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Re: That Models / Years Come With The Stepped Seat?
22 Feb 2013 14:12Yes, indeed, 'cuz that's a "hard tail" seat.KZJOE900 wrote:650ed wrote:Patton wrote: No seat option from the factory, but having the same seat pan, A4 flat seat and B1 stepped seat are interchangeable.
A dealer-installed seat option could accommodate the buyer's preference.
And there were several very nice aftermarket seats available in various styles.
Good Fortune!
Including, of course, the elusive but ever-popular double-decker special (AKA roller-coaster):
Attachment 00000.JPG not found
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Looks like its got morning wood!
Good Fortune!

1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
KZ900 LTD
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- mick z1a
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Re: That Models / Years Come With The Stepped Seat?
22 Feb 2013 14:22Patton wrote:Yes, indeed, 'cuz that's a "hard tail" seat.KZJOE900 wrote:you could use her knee's as ear warmers :huh:650ed wrote:Patton wrote: No seat option from the factory, but having the same seat pan, A4 flat seat and B1 stepped seat are interchangeable.
A dealer-installed seat option could accommodate the buyer's preference.
And there were several very nice aftermarket seats available in various styles.
Good Fortune!
Including, of course, the elusive but ever-popular double-decker special (AKA roller-coaster):
Attachment 00000.JPG not found
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Looks like its got morning wood!
Good Fortune!
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