Frame/ engine numbers

[Grimreaper]

New to this, Looking at a bike, frame number 505499/126399 correct or not ???

[warren3200gt]

Normally numbers no more than 200 ish apart is considered "matching numbers"

As it starts with a 5 it's a Nebraska bike.

[Grimreaper]

So not correct frame/ engine numbers,????

[warren3200gt]

All the engines were assembled in japan
Frames were assembled in Japan and US.
Year & Model '76 KZ900-A4
Color(s)
(1) Dia Dark Green
(2) Dia Brown

Frame No. Range
Japan MFR Z1F-085701 - 117060
USA MFR Z1F-500001 - 510340

Engine No. Range Z1E086001 - 138846

[Grimreaper]

Wide range. Match or not ?

[warren3200gt]

Not

[zed1015]

Wide range. Match or not ?

A wide range between engine and frame numbers does not mean the engine is incorrect just that they are not considered matching.

[chrisNI]

Wide range. Match or not ?

Hard to tell they were building all sorts at the time A4s Ltds police bikes - all with different frame number sequences - out of the same engine pool so numbers can vary widely

It’s the correct type of engine - if you must know if your bike left the factory with that particular one you could try writing to Kawasaki Uk and ask for a dating cert which they can usually supply (for a charge) but they ONLY will if the frame and engine match factory records. If they won’t give you one they won’t charge ( I imagine…) but you’ll know it’s a replacement

[Grimreaper]

Thanks troops

[chrisNI]

Normally numbers no more than 200 ish apart is considered "matching numbers"

As it starts with a 5 it's a Nebraska bike.

I think that depends on the model - when they built the original Z1, Z1A and even Z1B they weren’t building other models using the same engine so they tended to be closer together, once they introduced the Ps and LTDs they got further apart.
Also the Nebraska bikes didn’t have a different engine number series to the Japanese ones but the frames did. The Nebraska ones were A5s as far as I know so they were built towards the end of the 900 run, after all the A4s, so a late number engine wouldn’t be unusual. Might be informative to compare with another 5 numbered bike’s engine number.


You got to remember all they were concerned with was getting bikes out the door to sell they weren’t concerned with people looking for matching numbers fifty years later

[warren3200gt]

Don't think so Chris, the numbers posted are over 12500 apart, what did they do, loose the engine down the back of the settee

[z2.john]

New to this, Looking at a bike, frame number 505499/126399 correct or not ???

Afraid not. For 505499 the engine should be in the 102000 to 104000 range. Frame 505499 would be Nebraska made in Dec 1975 KZ900-A4. Engine is circa May 1976

[zapo]

If it's any use, I've an A4 (kz) which I believe to be the original pairing with frame 504*** and engine 098***

[chrisNI]

New to this, Looking at a bike, frame number 505499/126399 correct or not ???

Afraid not. For 505499 the engine should be in the 102000 to 104000 range. Frame 505499 would be Nebraska made in Dec 1975 KZ900-A4. Engine is circa May 1976

That would probably be nearer. Doesn’t matter that much it’s the right type of motor. but surely by May 1976 Japan would have been into production for Z1000 engines rather than still pumping out 900s?

[Mathh]

My KZ900 is production april 76: frame 10822* engine 12411* (never replaced).

For the KZ900 there is almost no logic in the engine numbering per frame. The engine production started ahead of the frame production as it takes longer to produce an engine than a frame. They were built either continuously or in batches. They were then randomly stocked in warehouses or loaded in containers for the US, whichever was the most convenient or most needed. Later when production of the bikes started the engines also went to the own factory. When they needed engines they took them randomly in the warehouse, not by number nor by first in/first out....nobody cared. And don't forget they also needed a significant number of spare engines for warranty and/or accident damage replacement.