[grumpy56]

My frame number is JKAKZCJ10CA015209. The engine number is KZT00JE0368X3 (I cannot tell what the "X" digit is). Any ideas as to whether this is an original frame/motor pairing? Thanks.

 

[MFolks]

Call this number with your VIN # and engine #
(949)460-5688

 

[steell]

VIN Range JKAKZCJ1vCA007901 - 017500
Engine No. Range KZTOOJE019201 -039300

http://zedder.com/Info/82 KZ1000-J2.htm

Seems reasonable to me. Is it a big deal if it's not?

 

[grumpy56]

Appreciate the info. No big deal, but just was wondering.

 

[steell]

It's interesting that Kawasaki made about 10,000 KZ1000J2 motorcycles, but about 20'000 motors.

The KZ1000R1 (ELR) had a production run of 1100 (according to the same link)
VIN Range JKAKZCR1vCA000001 - 001100
Engine No. Range KZTOOJE031001 - 039300

The KZ1000K2 LTD used motors from the same range, but I don't know if that includes Bikes for the domestic Japanese market.
VIN Range Japan MFR JKAKZCK1vCA006901 - 009805

USA MFR JKAKZCK1vCB500001 - 503000
Engine No. Range KZTOOJE019201 -034189

Same deal with the KZ1000M2 CSR.
VIN Range Japan MFR JKAKZCM1vCA004701 - 004800

USA MFR JKAKZCK1vCB500001 - 502002
Engine No. Range KZTOOJE019201 -033995

And finally, the KZ1000P1 Police bike
VIN Range JKAKZCP1vCB500001 - 501402
Engine No. Range KZTOOJE019201 - 035102

That probably accounts for the 20,000 motors.

One thing I find surprising, apparently 10,000 KZ1000J's were made, but the K and M combined only totaled about 5000, and the KZ1000J is scarce around here while the K and M models are common.

 

[Mcdroid]

One thing I find surprising, apparently 10,000 KZ1000J's were made, but the K and M combined only totaled about 5000, and the KZ1000J is scarce around here while the K and M models are common.

I suspect that North America got mostly K and M models while the bulk of the J's went to Europe

 

[grumpy56]

I think Mcdroid is right as my guess is that the J was not "popular" in the U.S. The cruiser look was gaining steam during those years, especially the mid 80s when alot of early 80s models were still being sold new. My J was first registered in 1985.

 

[steell]

Did Europe get the J, or a different model? I think there were some sporting shaft drive models back then that were called "GT" that were only available in Europe. I never liked the cruiser style and always lusted after the European models.

10,000 (close enough) 1982 KZ1000J's would be around 200 per State (average), and bikes were not selling well in 1982, so I don't believe they sold that many in the US, although some may have sat in the warehouse till 84-85.

Maybe someone from the other side of the pond could tell us if the J was also a European model.

That's funny, I was re-reading previous posts before clicking "post" on this one, and I see grumpy56 has one of the warehouse bikes

 

[grumpy56]

It would be interesting to know if my bike sat in a warehouse somewhere on this globe or at a dealer and just didn't move for 4 years. I remember seeing 3to 4 year old UJMs at dealers in the mid 80s and if I recall correctly, some manufacturers (Suzuki comes to mind) even advertised new-old bikes in the print media of the day.

 

[elr658]

So did Yamaha.

 

[Mcdroid]

Did Europe get the J, or a different model? I think there were some sporting shaft drive models back then that were called "GT" that were only available in Europe. I never liked the cruiser style and always lusted after the European models.

10,000 (close enough) 1982 KZ1000J's would be around 200 per State (average), and bikes were not selling well in 1982, so I don't believe they sold that many in the US, although some may have sat in the warehouse till 84-85.

Maybe someone from the other side of the pond could tell us if the J was also a European model.

That's funny, I was re-reading previous posts before clicking "post" on this one, and I see grumpy56 has one of the warehouse bikes

Europe also got the J model and the 'GT750' model AKA Z750P model (this was the sport/shaft bike we never saw in North America)...Kawasaki had already decided by the early 1980's that to survive the market in the USA, they had to go the 'cruiser' route...hence we got the 1980 KZ1000G model (Z1 Classic) while Europe got the Z1000H (FI model)...both had problematic FI, but the H model looked much nicer than the G model, even when broken down by the side of the road. Note that the KZ1000J3 model was sold in Europe and in Canada, but never released in the US. The European J1/J2 models had a GPz1100 style tank while in North America that had a standard J style tank. The KZ1000J3 also had the GPz style tank, even in Canada.

 

[steell]

McDroid, any idea if the Zedder info only covers the North American bikes, or are the frame number and engine number ranges for worldwide sales? Also, don't suppose you could tell me where the KZ750S1 and KZ750Y1 were sold? I've seen them listed in the manuals, but the parts diagrams don't cover them.

 

[kawah1c]

KZ's are us bikes. Z only for everyone else.

 

[Mcdroid]

McDroid, any idea if the Zedder info only covers the North American bikes, or are the frame number and engine number ranges for worldwide sales? Also, don't suppose you could tell me where the KZ750S1 and KZ750Y1 were sold? I've seen them listed in the manuals, but the parts diagrams don't cover them.

My understanding is that the info on zedder.com is a strange mixture of North American and world-wide coverage...and it is uneven--at best. However, from the Kawasaki Recognition Manual (99930-1003-01) the (K)Z750S1/S2 appears to have been released in Canada, Europe, and other areas (probably Australia)...this would account for why it doesn't appear on Kawasaki which only covers Canadian models if they were also released in the US. The (K)Z750Y1 was released in Europe (no countries specified) and was a one-year wonder. Both the S and Y models use the K model shop manual.

 

[steell]

KZ's are us bikes. Z only for everyone else.

"KZ's are North American bikes. Z only for everyone else."

There, fixed that for you.