Newby here, question about frames

Hello!

I'm new here to this forum and new to the motorcycle world in general...so please excuse and "dumb" questions!

I'm looking at a '76 KZ900 LTD from a private owner, and I'm 98% sure it will very soon be mine. Although the engine is immaculate, and it's a confirmed '76 903cc (have seen serials and the 903cc stamp on the engine), it looks to have the body work of a '80 - '81 KZ750 LTD. When I asked the owner about it, he showed me serials to the frame and engine, as well as the title which says it's the '76. He got it from his brother who acquired it as a "barn find", so he got the title and restored the bike from all original and NOS parts. He agrees the body doesn't look like the '76 KZ900 ltd...but the serials say different. He even said he talked to Kawasaki USA to confirm.

It's very possible in my mind that some previous owner put the 90 in the 750 frame...or some previous owner put the 750 body work on the 900 frame...but it doesn't so much matter to me as long as the 750 frame is rigid enough to handle the 900 engine. A guy at the Kawasaki dealership told me all the old Kz frames were the same and that in his opinion it's a non issue.

My biggest thing is that the engine is good to go, which it is. I could care less about the body work as I'm going to mod it out anyway...but should I have any other concerns? Anybody able to look at the pic and give a good opinion about what's going on? Is it possible that maybe there was some factory upgrade/special and that's what it is? I've attached pics of bike plus few few digits of frame and engine serial along with the 903cc stamp.

Again, please excuse my ignorance - I'm learning!

Thanks!

"..... A guy at the Kawasaki dealership told me all the old Kz frames were the same and that in his opinion it's a non issue...."

That guy has no idea what he's talking about. Be sure never to rely on him for information. Ed

thanks. i'm glad to know that dealership dude is an idiot. :S

do you have any other observations from the pics or knowledge you can drop on me? any and all information is GREATLY appreciated!

Well if the frame and the engine numbers match a 1976 KZ900, then I think it may be a non-issue. I don't know much about the LTD's, but did they not have the same tails as the A4's? 'Cause my 76 A4 has the plastic tail section below the seat and over the rear fender. My brother's '82 CSR has the two tier seat and no tail plastic.

Cory

Buy the motorcycle if and only if it (1) has a title that lists the frame # on it and (2) it is incredibly inexpensive. The motorcycle has many many questionable things wrong with it. Fundamentally though, the motorcycle has a 903cc motor shoe-horned into a 750 frame. It is a mongrel of a bike and is neither a KZ900 nor a KZ750. Personally, I'd pass.

welcome.
you sir have a 750 that someone has installed a 900 engine in.

the frame can handle the power.

go to zedder.com

to bike info and see if you can't find your frame number in the 750's to find which model 750 you have.

hth,
leon

that's exactly what i figured. like i said in my original post, the most important thing to me is that the engine is good to go and that the frame can handle it. if that indeed is the case, then the next question is what to pay for it... he's asking $2,500, which i will not pay, but i'm willing to make an offer.

again, suggestions? anyone else think i should pass? :ohmy:

quick question - i know you were able to tell the frame is a 750 from the picture, but are you also able to tell that by the frame serial as well - ZIF1023XXXX ??? again the question would be is it possible it's a 900 frame with 750 body work?

okay, here's what i think...i've been looking at zedder.com, and i'm pretty positive the frame is a '76 kz900-A4, which would make sense why the title says it's a '76 (frame is titled, not engine, right?). no 750 frame VIN's start with Z1F, so it can't be a 750 frame. and i would think that the '76 KZ900-A4 and B1-LTD share the same frame. It's really weird about the body work though... but like i said, i'm gonna mod the body work any.

Mcdroid wrote: Buy the motorcycle if and only if it (1) has a title that lists the frame # on it and (2) it is incredibly inexpensive. The motorcycle has many many questionable things wrong with it. Fundamentally though, the motorcycle has a 903cc motor shoe-horned into a 750 frame. It is a mongrel of a bike and is neither a KZ900 nor a KZ750. Personally, I'd pass.

he does have the title with the frame VIN - Z1F1023XXXX. what do you consider incredibly inexpensive? keep in mind the dude has really done a nice job restoring the engine. i'd say its pretty immaculate.

Thanks!

No question its a 750 frame, maybe even early 80's and not 70's. I would be very careful with buying that bike especially seeing it has a bogus vin number on the frame.

etbike3135 wrote: No question its a 750 frame, maybe even early 80's and not 70's. I would be very careful with buying that bike especially seeing it has a bogus vin number on the frame.

interesting. i hate to consider its a bogus VIN on the frame, but i guess i have to. how can you tell?..other than the obvious 750 body work...is it possible it's just 750 body work on a 900 frame?

thanks again - appreciate the replies!