Wheel Rims were made by Takasago.
Pre-1977 Rims have the following identifying date code: Year (Number)/ Month (Letter)
The Number represents the year: 2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Letter is the month A JAN, B FEB, C MAR, D April, E May, F June, G July, H AUG, I SEPT, J OCT, K NOV, L DEC
1977 and newer rims are dated after model code, month/year. First 2 numbers are month last two are year.
TAKASAGO used model number 303 for Z1 H2 & H1, 19" front 18" Rear.
Pre-1977 Rims have the following identifying date code: Year (Number)/ Month (Letter)
The Number represents the year: 2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Letter is the month A JAN, B FEB, C MAR, D April, E May, F June, G July, H AUG, I SEPT, J OCT, K NOV, L DEC
1977 and newer rims are dated after model code, month/year. First 2 numbers are month last two are year.
TAKASAGO used model number 303 for Z1 H2 & H1, 19" front 18" Rear.
Swing Arm
First Number is the year: 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975) 6 (1976)
Second two numbers are the month in 2 number format.
01 JAN, 02 FEB, 03 MAR, 04 April, 05 May, 06 June, 07 July, 08 AUG, 09 SEPT, 10 OCT, 11 NOV, 12 DEC. *Some 1972 manufactured swing arms have no markings.
First Number is the year: 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975) 6 (1976)
Second two numbers are the month in 2 number format.
01 JAN, 02 FEB, 03 MAR, 04 April, 05 May, 06 June, 07 July, 08 AUG, 09 SEPT, 10 OCT, 11 NOV, 12 DEC. *Some 1972 manufactured swing arms have no markings.
Rear Shocks:
The first Number represents the year: 2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Second number or letter is the month 1 JAN, 2 FEB, 3 March, 4 April, 5 May, 6 June, 7 July, 8 AUG, 9 SEPT, O OCT, N NOV, D December. One number format meant two digit months use first letter of month.
The first Number represents the year: 2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Second number or letter is the month 1 JAN, 2 FEB, 3 March, 4 April, 5 May, 6 June, 7 July, 8 AUG, 9 SEPT, O OCT, N NOV, D December. One number format meant two digit months use first letter of month.
Torque Arm
First Number is the year: 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Second number month: 1 January - 12 December
First Number is the year: 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Second number month: 1 January - 12 December
Carbs
Carburetors were made by Mikuni. Model VM28SC. Z1's had 28mm carbs, The 147 series or the 217. The KZ900 used 26mm carbs VM26SS. 1470 was first used, then 147 2 and 147 3 were both used on Z1 and Z1A then the 217 0
Kawasaki Noted in a bulletin 217 series carbs were to be used from engine number 32866.
Note: (1470, 147 2, 147 3, 217 0) these numbers are not dates
Carburetors were made by Mikuni. Model VM28SC. Z1's had 28mm carbs, The 147 series or the 217. The KZ900 used 26mm carbs VM26SS. 1470 was first used, then 147 2 and 147 3 were both used on Z1 and Z1A then the 217 0
Kawasaki Noted in a bulletin 217 series carbs were to be used from engine number 32866.
Note: (1470, 147 2, 147 3, 217 0) these numbers are not dates
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Carbs can be dated to the year and month. They are marked on the left side of the carbs.
The first Number represents the year: 2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Second number or letter is the month. 1 JAN, 2 FEB, 3 March, 4 April, 5 May, 6 June, 7 July, 8 AUG, 9 SEPT, X OCT, Y NOV, Z December. One number format meant two digit months use a letter code.
Note: The first 2 months of production Mikuni used Japanese Kana characters as a date.
The first Number represents the year: 2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Second number or letter is the month. 1 JAN, 2 FEB, 3 March, 4 April, 5 May, 6 June, 7 July, 8 AUG, 9 SEPT, X OCT, Y NOV, Z December. One number format meant two digit months use a letter code.
Note: The first 2 months of production Mikuni used Japanese Kana characters as a date.
Chain oiler
Was also made by Mikuni and used the same Date Codes as the carbs.
Was also made by Mikuni and used the same Date Codes as the carbs.
Brake Disc
This number is in "Showa Date" form, with the first number of the reign year dropped. This is a reign date system Japan traditionally used. Emperor "Showa" Hirohito reigned from 1926 until his death in 1989. 1926 would be 1, 1989 would be 64. 47 = 1972, 48 = 1973, 49 = 1974, 50 = 1975, 51 = 1976. Now if thats not complicated enough the second letter represented not month but 4 weeks. There were 13 letters used to cover 52 weeks, A to V was used.
This rotor 0B was made week 5-8 of 1975. It's simple once you understand the unusual system.
This number is in "Showa Date" form, with the first number of the reign year dropped. This is a reign date system Japan traditionally used. Emperor "Showa" Hirohito reigned from 1926 until his death in 1989. 1926 would be 1, 1989 would be 64. 47 = 1972, 48 = 1973, 49 = 1974, 50 = 1975, 51 = 1976. Now if thats not complicated enough the second letter represented not month but 4 weeks. There were 13 letters used to cover 52 weeks, A to V was used.
This rotor 0B was made week 5-8 of 1975. It's simple once you understand the unusual system.
Speedometer & Tach are dated to the exact day. Stamped on the back in red ink in Showa Callander format.
Reign year (47=1972, 48=1973, 49=1974, 50=1975) / month / day
Reign year (47=1972, 48=1973, 49=1974, 50=1975) / month / day
Rotor
The first Number represents the year: 2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
The second letter is month A JAN, B FEB, C MAR, D APR, E May, F June, G July, H AUG, I SEP, J OCT, K NOV, L DEC
The first Number represents the year: 2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
The second letter is month A JAN, B FEB, C MAR, D APR, E May, F June, G July, H AUG, I SEP, J OCT, K NOV, L DEC
Regulator
The first Number represents the year: 2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Second letter is month A JAN, B FEB, C MAR, D APR, E May, F June, G July, H AUG, I SEPT, J OCT, K NOV, L DEC
The third number that follows the letter does not matter.
The first Number represents the year: 2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Second letter is month A JAN, B FEB, C MAR, D APR, E May, F June, G July, H AUG, I SEPT, J OCT, K NOV, L DEC
The third number that follows the letter does not matter.
Break Shoes
Have an ink stamp with the exact day they were made.
The first number is in "Showa Date" form (47=1972, 48=1973, 49=1974, 50=1975). Second number month. third day.
Have an ink stamp with the exact day they were made.
The first number is in "Showa Date" form (47=1972, 48=1973, 49=1974, 50=1975). Second number month. third day.
Starter Solenoid
Ink stamped year / month
The first Number (one number) is the year: 2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Second two numbers are Month. 01 January to 12 December.
Ink stamped year / month
The first Number (one number) is the year: 2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Second two numbers are Month. 01 January to 12 December.
Rear Wheel Hub
Ink stamped with the exact day they were made.
The first number in "Showa Date" (47=1972, 48=1973, 49=1974, 50=1975), Second number month, third number day.
Ink stamped with the exact day they were made.
The first number in "Showa Date" (47=1972, 48=1973, 49=1974, 50=1975), Second number month, third number day.
Points Cover
Ink stamped with the exact day they were made.
The first number in "Showa Date" (47=1972, 48=1973, 49=1974, 50=1975), Second number month, third number day.
Ink stamped with the exact day they were made.
The first number in "Showa Date" (47=1972, 48=1973, 49=1974, 50=1975), Second number month, third number day.
Clutch Plate
Ink stamped inside near center with the exact day they were made.
The first number is in "Showa Date" form (47=1972, 48=1973, 49=1974, 50=1975), Second number month, third day.
Ink stamped inside near center with the exact day they were made.
The first number is in "Showa Date" form (47=1972, 48=1973, 49=1974, 50=1975), Second number month, third day.
Sprocket Carrier
Ink stamped with the exact day they were made.
The first number is in "Showa Date" form (47=1972, 48=1973, 49=1974, 50=1975), Second number month, third day.
Ink stamped with the exact day they were made.
The first number is in "Showa Date" form (47=1972, 48=1973, 49=1974, 50=1975), Second number month, third day.
Ignition Switch and Seat Lock (located on the side of barrel)
The first Number represents the year: 2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Second number or letter is the month in 1 digit format. 1 JAN, 2 FEB, 3 March, 4 April, 5 May, 6 June, 7 July, 8 AUG, 9 SEPT, O OCT, N NOV, D December. One number format meant two digit months use first letter of month.
The first Number represents the year: 2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Second number or letter is the month in 1 digit format. 1 JAN, 2 FEB, 3 March, 4 April, 5 May, 6 June, 7 July, 8 AUG, 9 SEPT, O OCT, N NOV, D December. One number format meant two digit months use first letter of month.
Switch Blocks are marked on the bottom half (visible when grip removed)
First Number is the year: 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975). Second numbers are the month
First Number is the year: 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975). Second numbers are the month
Brake and Clutch levers starting in 1975 were marked on the bottom cast in a circle.
The first Number represents the year: 5 (1975) 6 (1976)
Second letter month A JAN, B FEB, C March, D April, E May, F June, G July, H AUG, I SEPT, J OCT, K NOV, L DEC
The first Number represents the year: 5 (1975) 6 (1976)
Second letter month A JAN, B FEB, C March, D April, E May, F June, G July, H AUG, I SEPT, J OCT, K NOV, L DEC
Bottom front fork yolk has a 2 digit date code first number year second number month.
2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975) Second number month 1-12 Jan-Dec
2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975) Second number month 1-12 Jan-Dec
Tail light bracket
First Numbers is year: 2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Second number or letter is month. (1-9 JAN-SEPT) X OCT, Y NOV, Z DEC
First Numbers is year: 2 (1972), 3 (1973), 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Second number or letter is month. (1-9 JAN-SEPT) X OCT, Y NOV, Z DEC
Exhaust Mufflers were not dated until 1976. The 76 at the end of the markings is for the year.
Starting for the 1976 model year all replacement gas tanks for the Z1 were made the same as the KZ900
Original factory paint colors for the 1973, 1974 & 1975 models were made as replacements to purchase.
Z1 tanks made before the KZ900 have inner seams on the bottom, later have outer seams.
Original factory paint colors for the 1973, 1974 & 1975 models were made as replacements to purchase.
Z1 tanks made before the KZ900 have inner seams on the bottom, later have outer seams.
Owner's manuals are dated to the month and year just like any normal book. Several versions of each manual were made with revisions. Most owners stored manuals in the tail section compartment often resulting in a water damaged manual. Manuals could be purchased as a replacement part, those are originals not reproductions. Reproductions are easy to distinguish from the real thing even the highest quality ones.
A date code refers to the date of manufacture of the part and not the motorcycle, parts were made before or just before the motorcycle (obviously you cant make the bike without all the parts).
Since most all parts on a Kawasaki were sourced from other companies, you see different date code systems being used. Carbs were made by Mikuni, Rims: Takasago, Electronics: Nippon Denso, Coils: Kokusan, Tail light: Koito, Rectifier: Mitsubishi, Front breaking system: Tokico, etc...
The reign year system is what Japan traditionally used. It is based off the reign of the current emperor. Emperor "Showa" Hirohito reigned from 1926 until his death in 1989, so 1926 would be 1 and 1989 would be 64. Showa was the 124th Emperor of Japan and all Kawasaki motorcycles made to 1989 were manufactured during Showa's reign.
It is normal to see a date code for parts the same month a bike was made or a month or two before. Some months companies that supplied Kawasaki with parts had increased output and you see more rims for example made in May of 1975 because Takasago had maximum production that month. You will never see an original part made after the motorcycle, it obviously means the part was replaced. Parts wear from normal use or get damaged and replaced. Motorcycles are not rare baseball cards meant to be encapsulated in plastic cases never to be touched again by the human hand. They are meant to be used so parts naturally wear out. A rim made in May 1973 works the same as a rim made in July of 1975. A part is a part as long as it works as intended. The point of caring about date codes is a modern concept for finicky collectors who must have perfection when completing their restoration. To most it seems a silly thing to care about but to the most passionate collector it makes a difference.
Trivia Notes:
Kawasaki gets its name from the company's founder Shozo Kawasaki. It was originally a shipyard. He died in 1912 long before they thought about making motorcycles.
Kawasaki's were imported thru their US distributors:
Kawasaki Motor Corp. Kawasaki Motors
1062 McGraw Ave. No. 3 Production Way
Santa Ana, CA 92705 Avenel, NJ 07001
Kawasaki's were imported thru their UK distributor:
Kawasaki U.K. Ltd
Radix House Central Trading Estate
Staines Middlesex, England
Since most all parts on a Kawasaki were sourced from other companies, you see different date code systems being used. Carbs were made by Mikuni, Rims: Takasago, Electronics: Nippon Denso, Coils: Kokusan, Tail light: Koito, Rectifier: Mitsubishi, Front breaking system: Tokico, etc...
The reign year system is what Japan traditionally used. It is based off the reign of the current emperor. Emperor "Showa" Hirohito reigned from 1926 until his death in 1989, so 1926 would be 1 and 1989 would be 64. Showa was the 124th Emperor of Japan and all Kawasaki motorcycles made to 1989 were manufactured during Showa's reign.
It is normal to see a date code for parts the same month a bike was made or a month or two before. Some months companies that supplied Kawasaki with parts had increased output and you see more rims for example made in May of 1975 because Takasago had maximum production that month. You will never see an original part made after the motorcycle, it obviously means the part was replaced. Parts wear from normal use or get damaged and replaced. Motorcycles are not rare baseball cards meant to be encapsulated in plastic cases never to be touched again by the human hand. They are meant to be used so parts naturally wear out. A rim made in May 1973 works the same as a rim made in July of 1975. A part is a part as long as it works as intended. The point of caring about date codes is a modern concept for finicky collectors who must have perfection when completing their restoration. To most it seems a silly thing to care about but to the most passionate collector it makes a difference.
Trivia Notes:
Kawasaki gets its name from the company's founder Shozo Kawasaki. It was originally a shipyard. He died in 1912 long before they thought about making motorcycles.
Kawasaki's were imported thru their US distributors:
Kawasaki Motor Corp. Kawasaki Motors
1062 McGraw Ave. No. 3 Production Way
Santa Ana, CA 92705 Avenel, NJ 07001
Kawasaki's were imported thru their UK distributor:
Kawasaki U.K. Ltd
Radix House Central Trading Estate
Staines Middlesex, England