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Offline 78whiteorbs

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76 KZ900
« on: March 09, 2026, 06:37:47 PM »
Picked this bike up today for $700 and feeling like I won .

Frame says it a 76 kz900 and engine num says it's a 77 kz1000 engine so maybe some one  rodded up a little with twin discs and 1000cc another engine with little more ponies .


So I believe these are Lester's on it ....how can I tell? Rear is a drum mah 18in rim front is 18.

I thought it was Ltd mags at first but backs on those were 16's.  Some guy that knows more than me said the back looked like a Lester for sure be he wasn't sure about the front.

Anybody have any idea for sure?
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Offline 78whiteorbs

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Re: 76 KZ900
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2026, 06:39:22 PM »
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Offline 78whiteorbs

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Re: 76 KZ900
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2026, 06:39:59 PM »
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Offline CycleRanger

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Re: 76 KZ900
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2026, 09:05:47 PM »
Nice!  :D
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Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: 76 KZ900
« Reply #4 on: March 10, 2026, 06:37:55 AM »
Looks like a KZ1000 to me. Fantastic engine!
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Offline newday777

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Re: 76 KZ900
« Reply #5 on: March 10, 2026, 06:43:49 AM »
I've read that Kawi used Lester wheels at first before they started making their own, copies of Lester. There are markings on both types.
Clean the wheels and inspect them.
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Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 1 K2, 4 K6, 1 K8, 1 F1, 1 F3
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: 76 KZ900
« Reply #6 on: March 10, 2026, 07:44:44 AM »
Welcome to the Kaw Klub Orbs, that was a great find!

Early KZ900's LTD had Morris mags, but by 1977, Enkei began producing replica wheels for Kawasaki.
My GPz had Enkei's so most likely they are one of those two.  Sean will know.

Is it a runner? 
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Offline scottly

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Re: 76 KZ900
« Reply #7 on: March 10, 2026, 08:13:48 AM »
Morris and the Kawasaki Morris clone spokes have a + cross section, while Lester and the Yamaha Lester clone spokes have an H cross section. Those are Lester style wheels.
Morris on the left, Kawasaki/Enkei on the right:
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Offline 78whiteorbs

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Re: 76 KZ900
« Reply #8 on: March 10, 2026, 10:05:53 PM »
I found the Lester stamps-  :)

Cleaned the bike up today. I thought it was a kz1000 to at first but it is verified a 76 kz900 frame, tank etc with a kz1000 engine installed, they bolt right in. After market repaint, not a bad job. She's cleaning up real nice.  Found these under the seat...so the story goes these belonged to a real badass , dude got 40 years in prison and has 7 left to go. When he gets out if and when he will be 70.

Gloves are very well made. I'm gonna run em with the bike lol.   Suppose I need to check the tank now ...
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Offline Kelly E

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Re: 76 KZ900
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2026, 08:47:01 AM »
Nice score! Looks like a LTD front end and seat. My 77' KZ 1000LTD is one of my favorite bikes.
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1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
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Offline 78whiteorbs

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Re: 76 KZ900
« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2026, 01:41:45 PM »
Yep, I think so. Smaller fender and dual disks. I thought it was a first year LTD at first because the seat and the mag wheels and they had a similar color but ran the frame number and the back drum ,the Lester stamps etc.

Cool upgraded kz900. Supposedly the 1000 engine is better. Hoping to have it running soon.

Cleaned up pretty good.
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Offline denward17

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Re: 76 KZ900
« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2026, 01:47:07 PM »
Nice find!

BTW, how did you find it?
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Offline 78whiteorbs

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Re: 76 KZ900
« Reply #12 on: March 11, 2026, 02:52:17 PM »
Same way I find all my bikes out looking for other things, lol
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Offline 78whiteorbs

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Re: 76 KZ900
« Reply #13 on: March 11, 2026, 02:52:51 PM »
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Offline 78whiteorbs

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Re: 76 KZ900
« Reply #14 on: March 17, 2026, 08:28:35 PM »
Quote from: Stev-o on March 10, 2026, 07:44:44 AM
Welcome to the Kaw Klub Orbs, that was a great find!

Early KZ900's LTD had Morris mags, but by 1977, Enkei began producing replica wheels for Kawasaki.
My GPz had Enkei's so most likely they are one of those two.  Sean will know.

Is it a runner? 

Steve-o , are the 26mm mikuni carbs any more difficult than cb750 carbs to rebuild. I think I know the answer but rather ask someone who has done both
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: 76 KZ900
« Reply #15 on: March 18, 2026, 07:02:18 AM »
Quote from: 78whiteorbs on March 17, 2026, 08:28:35 PM
Quote from: Stev-o on March 10, 2026, 07:44:44 AM
Welcome to the Kaw Klub Orbs, that was a great find!
Is it a runner? 

Steve-o , are the 26mm mikuni carbs any more difficult than cb750 carbs to rebuild. I think I know the answer but rather ask someone who has done both

Hey Orbs...  I actually think the Mikuni's are easier to work on.  When I fist dug into them a few years ago, I found a great video showing the process, sorry, can't find it right now.

Are you on KZ Rider?  Good info here...

https://kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/618086-1976-kz900-26mm-carb-rebuild

Also, are you sure they are 26's?   More Mikuni info here...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,187030.0.html

Mikuni's are great carbs, I havent touched mine in a few years now.  But just like the Keihins, confirm you have genuine brass parts or you'll be chasing your tail trying to tune them.
Been there...
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Offline 78whiteorbs

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Re: 76 KZ900
« Reply #16 on: March 19, 2026, 07:29:27 PM »
I am not sure they are 26s maybe 28s...

Thanks for the link on carb info. I'll check kz site out.


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