Are all kz1000 heads the same?

One spark plug hole was helicoiled by an epileptic gorilla. she runs, and im not spending a dime on her till i know i can get a registration, but for reference:

Will any 1000 head fit a 79?

And as a side note, are all kz1000 frames around 79 the same, shaft or chain?

Thanks,
Craig

Chain versus shaft (KZ1000E) - think of it as a different animal entirely.

77-80 chain drive frames are all very similar - some differences between the variants LTD (KZ1000B ), Standard Model (KZ1000A), Police (KZ1000C), Z1R (KZ1000D) and Z1 Classic (KZ1000G) - The Z1R has the biggest differences, but the engines interchange between all of them.

The variants of the heads on the 77-80 KZ1000's. 77-78 is essentially a Z1 head with 8mm exhaust studs. The 79-80 heads in the USA have emissions ports in the heads - these require matching cam covers. The Z1 Classic head will fit, but has fuel injection ports in the intake. The injector holders have different bolt spacing to the carburetted bikes.

Good run through Jeff. Canadian castings of 79-80 MKll's and all J or GPZ cylinder heads don't have the emissions ports. Over the years we've sold lots of Canucklehead rocker covers to folks who wanted to block the ports and lose those ugly covers.

Jeff pretty much covered it. I did some research not too long ago and found that the shaftie head has the same part number as the MKII head (79 KZ1000 A). Those units came from the factory in black. I think (not 100% sure) that the '79-'80 LTD heads are the same but not black.

Ok, so to my understanding, any will fit from those years with no mods? I there a set i should look out for over others? Smaller chambers/higher flowing?

So if i wanted to frame swap, a shafty one it must be? or can i throw my engine into a chain driven chassis?

Really appreciate all the info

I need help! I have a 74 z1 with blown motor, and can buy an 89 kz1000j for $400 but I am not sure if it will fit directly. Any sugestions? Thanks

step away from the poor z1,we will be by to pick it up!:laugh:

The motor mount points are different. The engine could be used if you are clever with a welder. I would stick with a 903/1015 earlier type motor.

As far as the heads, what has been said so far is pretty much true. The later smog head has a bigger idler assembly and if you use an earlier head, you can't use the later idler assembly which doesn't fit under the valve cover. In addition, the 903 valves have different split keepers and the indentations on the valves for the keepers are shaped different so you need to use the correct split keepers depending on which valves are being used.