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New member with a 1979 KZ1300. This forum has been a wealth of information for me to get this bike running well. Engine runs great (horsepower is impressive) but it still need of some TLC. Shocks and front forks springs are all really weak, fuel valve leaks, exhaust looks bad, needs repainted, fuel tank cap leaks, but all in all it has been a fun project.
Great club with great information - will update as project continues!!!

Good stuff looks nice and comfy.

I wonder what the production date is on your bike, could it be an 80 touring model?

Or someone installed all of the touring hardware from an 80 model.

Either way, it looks great. Sounds like you have the hardest part done, by getting it to run well.

Welcome to the forum we're glad you have found it useful.

West Coast.

Todd.

On the frame label it states 4/79 and a VIN KZT30A-002738. I'm a bit confused as the engine numbers don't match the frame - engine VIN KZT30AE-002522. The bike does seem to be the original color but the gas tank has no logos on the side of it. When I got the bike it looked a little strange so I added the lower fairing pieces and the trunk.
I got the lower pieces from EBay and they were listed as 1979 and exactly what I needed.

When I got the bike it had an extremely hard time starting. I noticed the spark plugs had three different kinds installed. I replaced them with NGK Iridium and I just touch the starter , warm or cold, and it starts right up - beautiful thing!!

I could be wrong but I don't think those numbers are too far off. The engine number and frame number almost never match.

Given the engines they use for testing, training, and warranty work (Replacment) it would just about be impossible for engine and VIN #'s to be in sync.

My KZ1000 D-3 has a similar number spread between that VIN and Eng #.

Todd.

That's definitely a Vetter fairing (a full Vetter setup, in fact), but that's the first time I've seen it in red. Looks a lot like mine did when I got it home, apart from the paint color....

Looks like you have an awesome start. Looking forward to what kind of progress you can make on it!