Kawasaki Date Codes for Z1, H1 & H2 (Complete Guide)
Understanding Kawasaki date codes is crucial for anyone restoring, buying, or verifying classic Kawasaki motorcycles like the Z1, H1, and H2. These codes are stamped on parts during manufacturing and help determine when a component was made — useful for originality checks and restoration documentation. (kawguy.com)
How Date Codes Are Used on Kawasaki Parts
Kawasaki parts are stamped with different formats depending on the manufacturer and part type. Codes may indicate:
- Year of manufacture
- Month or week codes
- Sometimes specific batch identifiers
It’s important to note that these codes show when parts were manufactured — not necessarily the bike’s final assembly date.
Kawasaki Z1, H1 & H2 Date Codes – Wheel Rims & Swing Arms
Wheel Rim Date Codes
Wheel rims were made by Takasago. Understanding the date codes is essential for verifying originality and restoration.
Pre-1977 Rims
Pre-1977 rims have the following format for their date code: Year (Number) / Month (Letter)
| Number (Year) | Year |
|---|---|
| 2 | 1972 |
| 3 | 1973 |
| 4 | 1974 |
| 5 | 1975 |
| Letter (Month) | Month |
|---|---|
| A | January |
| B | February |
| C | March |
| D | April |
| E | May |
| F | June |
| G | July |
| H | August |
| I | September |
| J | October |
| K | November |
| L | December |
Post-1977 Rims
Post-1977 date codes come after the model code. The first two numbers indicate the month, and the last two numbers indicate the year.
Model Information: Takasago used model number 303 for Z1, H1 & H2 motorcycles, with 19" front and 18" rear rims. 305 code for dual front disc
Swing Arm Date Codes
Swing arms are stamped with date codes to indicate the year and month of manufacture. This information is essential for verifying originality and restoration.
Date Code Format
The date code format for Kawasaki swing arms is as follows:
| Position | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| First Number | Year of manufacture | 3 = 1973, 4 = 1974 |
| Second Two Numbers | Month in 2-digit format | 01 = Jan, 02 = Feb, … 12 = Dec |
| Month Code | Month |
|---|---|
| 01 | January |
| 02 | February |
| 03 | March |
| 04 | April |
| 05 | May |
| 06 | June |
| 07 | July |
| 08 | August |
| 09 | September |
| 10 | October |
| 11 | November |
| 12 | December |
Note: Some 1972 manufactured swing arms do not have any markings.
Rear Shock Date Codes
Rear shocks on Kawasaki Z1, H1 & H2 motorcycles also have date codes. This helps verify the original year and month of manufacture.
Date Code Format
The format for rear shock date codes is:
| Position | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| First Number | Year of manufacture | 2 = 1972, 3 = 1973 |
| Second Number/Letter | Month of manufacture | 1 = Jan, 2 = Feb, 3 = Mar, 4 = Apr, 5 = May, 6 = Jun, 7 = Jul, 8 = Aug, 9 = Sep, O = Oct, N = Nov, D = Dec |
Note: For months October, November, and December, single-letter codes are used (O, N, D).
Kawasaki Z1, H1 & H2 Date Codes – Wheel Rims, Swing Arms & Rear Shocks
Wheel Rim Date Codes
Wheel rims were made by Takasago. Understanding the date codes is essential for verifying originality and restoration.
Pre-1977 Rims
Pre-1977 rims have the following format for their date code: Year (Number) / Month (Letter)
Swing Arm Date Codes
Swing arms are stamped with date codes to indicate the year and month of manufacture.
Rear Shock Date Codes
Rear shocks on Kawasaki Z1, H1 & H2 motorcycles also have date codes for year and month of manufacture.
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. Two-digit months use the first letter of the 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. Two-digit months use the first letter of the month.
Torque Arm
First Number is year: 3 (1973) 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Second number month: 1 January - 12 December
*Some 1972 made swing arms have no markings.
First Number is year: 3 (1973) 4 (1974) 5 (1975)
Second number month: 1 January - 12 December
*Some 1972 made swing arms have no markings.
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 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) 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 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) 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 month. 1 Jan, 2 Feb, 3 Mar, 4 Apr, 5 May, 6 June, 7 July, 8 Aug, 9 Sept, X Oct, Y Nov, Z Dec (Two-digit months use letter)
Note: August & September 1972 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 month. 1 Jan, 2 Feb, 3 Mar, 4 Apr, 5 May, 6 June, 7 July, 8 Aug, 9 Sept, X Oct, Y Nov, Z Dec (Two-digit months use letter)
Note: August & September 1972 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 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
12V Regulator
The first Number is 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 is 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
Ink stamped with the date 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 date 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 Jan to 12 Dec
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 Jan to 12 Dec
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.
Seat Foam
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 52=1976), 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 52=1976), 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 is 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 is 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 Number 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 Number 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.
Original factory paint colors for the 1973, 1974 & 1975 models were made as replacements to buy.
Z1 tanks made before the KZ900 have inner seams on the bottom, later have outer seams.
Z1 tanks made before the KZ900 have inner seams on the bottom, later have outer seams.
NOS Genuine Kawasaki Part Number Labels
From 1973 Kawasaki replacement part labels are dated under Q'TY (Number Letter) Number is year (3) 73, (4) 74..etc, letter is month (A) January...etc. Starting in 1980 labels will have the Big K, same date code principle.
Barcodes started in 1990.
From 1973 Kawasaki replacement part labels are dated under Q'TY (Number Letter) Number is year (3) 73, (4) 74..etc, letter is month (A) January...etc. Starting in 1980 labels will have the Big K, same date code principle.
Barcodes started in 1990.
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 distinguishable from the real thing, even the highest quality ones.
A date code refers to the date a part was manufactured and not the motorcycle, parts were made before or just before the motorcycle (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
If you have an estate to liquidate or non Kawasaki motorcycles here are websites that might be able to help you. https://www.weekendestatesales.com/ https://www.wantedoldmotorcycles.com/
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
If you have an estate to liquidate or non Kawasaki motorcycles here are websites that might be able to help you. https://www.weekendestatesales.com/ https://www.wantedoldmotorcycles.com/
Kawasaki's were imported thru their UK distributor:
Kawasaki U.K. Ltd
Radix House Central Trading Estate
Staines Middlesex, England