How to determine year, and decode 12 digit VIN?

Hi all, thanks for any help! I just purchased a KZ550G/550GT, and need some parts. However, I cannot decipher the actual year. The VIN has only 12 digits, and the rims could be showing either "86" or "98", and of course those might just be swapped...the logbook shows 2000, for further confusion. Any help would be much appreciated!

Here is the full VIN, in case it's of use: kz550g-020359

[strike]I can't give an exact date because the G wasn't a US model, but from what I've read the KZ550-G was in production from 1983 - 1986. Ed[/strike]

I stand corrected. It is clear that Kawasaki made the G model much longer than I thought. Ed

google search = kz550g-000001

www.megazip.net/en/zapchasti-dlya-motocy...917/z550-gt550-28819

yahodahan wrote: Here is the full VIN, in case it's of use: kz550g-020359

Is it 002359?

The link Martin posted doesn't show that high production.

Complete production numbers aren't provided. It could be a G8 or G9. ??? From his other topic the bike is red, so the color would be correct for one of those.

A pic of the bike would help. Also, find the FSM for the bike and look at production numbers on the back cover. Find what model your frame number falls into, that's the year.

cmsnl.com --- Z550-G9 .

The G9 is listed as a 93 model, but there is a model identification schematic in the diagrams that lists a 1994 Z550-G9. The schematic shows the beginning frame & engine numbers.

tagsz GT550 Z550-G9 GT 550 550G Z550-G1