1976 KZ900-A4 FIRST MADE 8/75 (10/75 for the European Z900)
Made in Japan Frame Numbers: Z1F-85701 to Z1F-117060
Made in USA Frame Numbers: Z1F-500001 to Z1F-510340
Engine number range is the same for both (all engines were made in Japan): Z1E 086001 to Z1E 138846
Made in Japan Frame Numbers: Z1F-85701 to Z1F-117060
Made in USA Frame Numbers: Z1F-500001 to Z1F-510340
Engine number range is the same for both (all engines were made in Japan): Z1E 086001 to Z1E 138846
In October 1974 Kawasaki opened a new plant in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Kawasaki became the first Japanese company to produce motorcycles in the USA.
The first bike produced there was the KZ400. The First one rolled off the assembly line in January 1975.
The KZ900 Started Production in August of 1975.
The KZ900-A5 is the exact same, the production continued to deplete excess stock.
All KZ900 engine numbers have the same range for all models Z900 KZ900 LTD and Police.
All engines and most components continued to be made in Japan. Parts were shipped to Kawasakis Factory in Lincoln, Nebraska for assembly with USA made frames. They would ship in large batches, as soon as engines arrived they went to work putting whatever engine in whatever frame, they did not care about matching numbers.
1976 KZ900 LTD (Made only in USA) KZ900-B1
Japan's first custom Cruiser (was made in the USA).
One color: Candy Luminous Red
The KZ900 LTD was exclusively for US dealerships
LTD stood for LIMITED. 2,000 LTD's were scheduled to be made but over 5,500 were produced
The KZ900 LTD used a different frame and was the first 900 not to use the Z1F Designation
The LTD frame number Began KZ900B, engines still began Z1E and were the same as the kz900A
Frame KZ900B-500001 to KZ900B-505514
Engine Numbers Z1E-086001 to Z1E-138846 (Engines were pulled out of stock shipped from Japan)
1976 KZ900-C1 & 1977 KZ900-C2 Police Special
First Frame Number: KZ900C-500001
Assembled in Lincoln Nebraska
September 15, 1977 NBC broadcast the first episode of C.H.I.P.S. Ponch and Jon (Erik Estrada & Larry Wilcox) rode the KZ900. Later in the TV series they rode the KZ1000. In one episode Ponch had a chance to win a brand new 1978 Z1R on Name Your Price, a parody of The Price is Right. Ponch's guess $3697 was $2 over the correct price & lost to a little old lady.
Kawasaki became the first Japanese company to produce motorcycles in the USA.
The first bike produced there was the KZ400. The First one rolled off the assembly line in January 1975.
The KZ900 Started Production in August of 1975.
The KZ900-A5 is the exact same, the production continued to deplete excess stock.
All KZ900 engine numbers have the same range for all models Z900 KZ900 LTD and Police.
All engines and most components continued to be made in Japan. Parts were shipped to Kawasakis Factory in Lincoln, Nebraska for assembly with USA made frames. They would ship in large batches, as soon as engines arrived they went to work putting whatever engine in whatever frame, they did not care about matching numbers.
1976 KZ900 LTD (Made only in USA) KZ900-B1
Japan's first custom Cruiser (was made in the USA).
One color: Candy Luminous Red
The KZ900 LTD was exclusively for US dealerships
LTD stood for LIMITED. 2,000 LTD's were scheduled to be made but over 5,500 were produced
The KZ900 LTD used a different frame and was the first 900 not to use the Z1F Designation
The LTD frame number Began KZ900B, engines still began Z1E and were the same as the kz900A
Frame KZ900B-500001 to KZ900B-505514
Engine Numbers Z1E-086001 to Z1E-138846 (Engines were pulled out of stock shipped from Japan)
1976 KZ900-C1 & 1977 KZ900-C2 Police Special
First Frame Number: KZ900C-500001
Assembled in Lincoln Nebraska
September 15, 1977 NBC broadcast the first episode of C.H.I.P.S. Ponch and Jon (Erik Estrada & Larry Wilcox) rode the KZ900. Later in the TV series they rode the KZ1000. In one episode Ponch had a chance to win a brand new 1978 Z1R on Name Your Price, a parody of The Price is Right. Ponch's guess $3697 was $2 over the correct price & lost to a little old lady.
1977 KZ900-A5 Frame numbers Z1F-510341 to Z1F-515578
Engine numbers went up to Z1E 138846
Engine numbers went up to Z1E 138846
Unlike previous 900 models the kz900 was made in Japan and in USA's new assembly plant
Re-designed and named the KZ900 (Z900 for Europe)
KZ900-A4 ( K for kawasaki, Z for the Z model line, 900 size, A standard, 4 4th year of production)
USA frame numbers begin with the number 5. Z1F-500001 to Z1F-510340
Engines were all made in Japan. Engines were sent in shipping containers to the US or sent directly to the assembly lines in Japan, they were sent where they were needed, thus Engine numbers were not close matching like the Z1.
KZ900's made in Japan continued the frame numbering sequence of the Z1: Z1F-85701 to Z1F-117060.
Frame numbers of bikes made in Japan did not typically have close matching engine numbers, USA made never did.
Re-designed and named the KZ900 (Z900 for Europe)
KZ900-A4 ( K for kawasaki, Z for the Z model line, 900 size, A standard, 4 4th year of production)
USA frame numbers begin with the number 5. Z1F-500001 to Z1F-510340
Engines were all made in Japan. Engines were sent in shipping containers to the US or sent directly to the assembly lines in Japan, they were sent where they were needed, thus Engine numbers were not close matching like the Z1.
KZ900's made in Japan continued the frame numbering sequence of the Z1: Z1F-85701 to Z1F-117060.
Frame numbers of bikes made in Japan did not typically have close matching engine numbers, USA made never did.
All KZ900A Frame stickers have a different FAWR and RAWR than the Z1 labels.
F.A.W.R. increased from 324 lbs to 338 lbs
R.A.W.R. increased from 525 lbs to 575 lbs
F.A.W.R. increased from 324 lbs to 338 lbs
R.A.W.R. increased from 525 lbs to 575 lbs
This is a label from a KZ900 made in the USA. It will not have MADE IN JAPAN in the lower right corner.
At the top of the sticker it printed MFD. BY KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP. U.S.A.
At the top of the sticker it printed MFD. BY KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP. U.S.A.
The KZ900 had a $2475 suggested retail price, The KZ900 LTD was $3295.
Colors: Diamond Dark Green or Diamond Brown. Candy Luminous Red (LTD only)
Handlebars have a Hazard warning lights control knob
Tail light redesigned incorporating reflectors
Later KZ900 engines have OIL 3700CC cast in the engine case.
This started around Engine Z1E 100000
The same OIL 3700CC marking was also cast on KZ1000 engines.
This started around Engine Z1E 100000
The same OIL 3700CC marking was also cast on KZ1000 engines.
Side covers are shorter with slanted fronts to fit the new Airbox system
Tail section, tool kit holder were also changed
Exhaust are Marked KHI 900 Z1/750 Z2 DMG 30386 S 76
The frame was redesigned thicker 18mm to 23mm tubing. Frame neck and steering stopper were strengthened,
Locking gas cap was required for US regulations
Smaller 26mm Mikuni Carburetors were used to pass new emission laws
the redesigned Mikuni VM26SC 217 series have new Carb linkage
the redesigned Mikuni VM26SC 217 series have new Carb linkage
Instrument lights were moved to a cluster between the tach & speedo.
The black plastic chain guard was redesigned for the Z1B to allow for the wider o-chain
The tail section document tray was changed and no longer shows the wiring diagram
Gas tank has an outer seam visible on the bottom.
Rear shocks have chrome tops without reflectors
Front forks were redesigned and reflectors were moved to the frame
Seat featured a lock and a new pattern in vinyl
Z1 Specs: 903cc Engine, 82hp. Top speed over 125mph. 1/4 mile: 12 seconds.
Weight 506 lbs. *Approximately 540 lbs gassed up and ready to go
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