TOPIC:

steell wrote:

...I do know that I bought a `1977 KZ1000 in 1979 for $250.00, and it was manufactured 8/76

Errrr... a 8/76 DOM would technically be a '76. The model year begins in September.

If it said 9/76, it would be a '77...

Though like Jeff said, there were some crazy days in Lincoln, Ne., as they were ramping the joint up...

Post edited by: Pterosaur, at: 2006/06/10 20:28

Pterosaur wrote:

steell wrote:

...I do know that I bought a `1977 KZ1000 in 1979 for $250.00, and it was manufactured 8/76

Errrr... a 8/76 DOM would technically be a '76. The model year begins in September.

If it said 9/76, it would be a '77...

Though like Jeff said, there were some crazy days in Lincoln, Ne., as they were ramping the joint up...<br><br>Post edited by: Pterosaur, at: 2006/06/10 20:28

I have a couple of bikes right now that were manufactured in the 7th month (July) of the previous model year, like a 79 manufactured 7/78 and an 80 manufactured 7/79. Motorcycles may be released to the dealers to sell in Sept, but I believe they were manufacturing them considerably earlier in order to have a supply on hand at the release date.
Makes sense to me anyway

Pterosaur wrote:

steell wrote:

...I do know that I bought a `1977 KZ1000 in 1979 for $250.00, and it was manufactured 8/76

Errrr... a 8/76 DOM would technically be a '76. The model year begins in September.

If it said 9/76, it would be a '77...

Though like Jeff said, there were some crazy days in Lincoln, Ne., as they were ramping the joint up...<br><br>Post edited by: Pterosaur, at: 2006/06/10 20:28

well, my 79 kz900 was manufactured in june 1975, but its titled as a 1976 kz900. i thought june was alittle early, but i guess thats how its done.

arobsum wrote:

Pterosaur wrote:

steell wrote:

...I do know that I bought a `1977 KZ1000 in 1979 for $250.00, and it was manufactured 8/76

Errrr... a 8/76 DOM would technically be a '76. The model year begins in September.

If it said 9/76, it would be a '77...

Though like Jeff said, there were some crazy days in Lincoln, Ne., as they were ramping the joint up...<br><br>Post edited by: Pterosaur, at: 2006/06/10 20:28

well, my 79 kz900 was manufactured in june 1975, but its titled as a 1976 kz900. i thought june was alittle early, but i guess thats how its done.

well ive got an 80ltd frame that was built sometime in late 77,dont ask how i know this. i think ill save that one for a dragbike.

The Kawasaki model years didn't start in any particular month... ...at least back then

I have a KZ900 here that is very early in the production run - that was built in June 1975. I also have a late run Z1 that was built in July 73.

The Z1 makes more power for a couple of reasons. The carburation was different - the Z1's use a 28mm carb. Additionally, the baffling inside the Z1 pipes is different than the KZ900 pipes. The Z1 pipes are less restrictive and noisier.

The Z1 was also lighter in some key areas around reciprocating weight, The 73 & 74 Z1's used a non o-ring chain. Also Kawasaki reduced weight in some areas - the cams were hollow, the center stand bolts were hollow.

Jeff.Saunders wrote:

The Kawasaki model years didn't start in any particular month... ...at least back then

I have a KZ900 here that is very early in the production run - that was built in June 1975. I also have a late run Z1 that was built in July 73.

Yeah, I have a 1977 KZ1000A1 with a early frame number (00095) with a build date of October 1976

Jeff.Saunders wrote:

The Kawasaki model years didn't start in any particular month... ...at least back then

I have a KZ900 here that is very early in the production run - that was built in June 1975. I also have a late run Z1 that was built in July 73.

The Z1 makes more power for a couple of reasons. The carburation was different - the Z1's use a 28mm carb. Additionally, the baffling inside the Z1 pipes is different than the KZ900 pipes. The Z1 pipes are less restrictive and noisier.

The Z1 was also lighter in some key areas around reciprocating weight, The 73 & 74 Z1's used a non o-ring chain. Also Kawasaki reduced weight in some areas - the cams were hollow, the center stand bolts were hollow.

jeff, both our bikes were early june 1975 makes...would that mean they used up the z1 parts to make them? would our bikes be any different than later kz's? sorry if this is a stupid question, just asking.

My KZ900 is frame number Z1F-0860xx. All I've noticed on the bike is a few things not found on most KZ900's. Some of the wire harness straps are wire welded to the frame.

Mr. Saunders failed to explain that the reason an EARLY Z1 feels so darn fast is that it is missing the frame gusseting used on later KZ models (76 and up). The gusseting weighs about 5 lbs. but when not present, the frame flexes at speeds over 30 mph making the early models feel like they were going far faster than they actually were bwhahaha... Hit one of those reflective thingees placed between lanes on a two lane highway at 60 mph on an early framed Z1 bike and have the bike go into a "tank slapper" and you will feel like you are REALLY GOING FAST ENOUGH bwhahaha

FWIW: The 76 KZ900 had parts left over and they built both the LTD and A models again in 77 out of left over parts while selling the new and "improved" KZ1000A in 77.

very true,mountain bikes ya buy at kmart use stiffer tubing than a z1!my z1 is getting gusseted this time around! dont forget the underpowered brakes to go with the overpowered motor on the z1s.swingarm with bushings instead of bearings...... mine dont look like this anymore,big suprise coming!