1976 KZ900-A4

I've heard a couple of members call the 76 the 'bastard child' of the KZ's. What is this refering to? I have owned my 76 KZ900 since I was 18 (about 9 years now) of which it has run about half (not the bikes fault - all in the owner). I love the machine and will probably fight to be buried with it, even if I own other bikes... I was just curious why the 76 was refered to this way.

theres nothing wrong with the 76 kz900,in fact its the only kz900 except for a few early 77s.thats where the problem arises is the one off-ness of it makes it hard to find certain parts for it.its the transition from z1 line 72-75 to the kz1000 line in 1977.

Never heard that one.

That makes sense - thanks wireman!

i think im the one who hung the bastard child name on them:whistle:

hey! another madtown member! we're starting a ride from the paradise on main street at 7-8pm every monday for metric bikes, come ride with us!

lunch

Welcom to the site.
I think the '76 900 is 'unique' because it sits between the '75 Z1B and the '77 KZ1000.
Lots of changes were made to the '76 900, and many of those changes were incorporated into the '77 KZ1000.
The '76 900 is the only 900 model with the Mikuni 26mm carbs. All the other 900 models (Z1's) got the 28mm carbs. Big K tried to make the '76 model more manageable, and less of a wild pony with the smaller carbs. But it did cost a few HP in the top end.

I had bought a new green one myself back in 76. As far as the 26mm carbs go I think it improves things. Case in point. With my 77 KZ1000 with just a Denco pipe I could turn 12.00s all day long in but with my 1978 Z1R that had the 28mm carbs with the same Denco pipe I could only manage 12.50s. Same motor as far I as know.The Z1R may have been a little heaveir but not .5 of second worth. I didnt have my 76 KZ900 very long so I didnt get to test it. So if the 26mms made the 1000 quicker it surely would on the smaller 900 motor. Just a few thoughts Ive always had. No offense. I wouldnt mind trying a set of 26s on my 73 just for fun.

Well it sprang from the Z1........so maybe it's the "child of a bastard" :whistle:
Personally I like 'em! (biased maybe) People get all strange 'cos it lost 1hp off the top. You find parts are harder to get as they pretty much a one off model compared to the Z1 and with everyone fuss'n over Z1's you can just about assemble a new Z1 from repro bits (Common as muck)



There you go, I've most likely offended half the planet!!!