Factory colors

You guy are going to think I am nut after in this group for so long. But maybe this is not a dumb question after all.
Ok here is question first. Is there one main color for each year of bike or was there many colors for each year of bike?
Now here is the reason I am asking. I have read that the 1982 fuel tank on the KZ1300 is 6.2 gals not the 5.2 gals like mine. The other reason I am asking is because I have found a fuel tank that is in good shape or so it looks for 300.00 on a web site but the color is dark red. This was a full dress bike and every thing is the same color including the trunk, side bags , fairing and side covers but they are saying its a 1979. I know the 79 did not come full dress that was an option. its the vesser set up.

ok Guys I got my own answer there is a whole write up on it called Z1300 History I post the write up later to night.

Ive nicked this from the old site

The Z1300 was shown to the world at the Koln show in September 1978. The engine a liquid-cooled 1286cc DOHC two valve per each of the six cylinders sat in the bike which had a massive dry weight of 297kg. This was the "dreadnought" of touring bikes. In November 1978 the press were introduced to the Z1300, in Malta for the European press and Death Valley California for the American press. They were unanimous with praise for both styling and impressive performance of the ground breaking machine.

The Z1300 was produced from 1978 until bowing out in 1989. In 1983 the Z1300 was given a digital fuel injection (D.F.I.) and was called the ZG1300, the system installed to improve fuel consumption gave a gain in power and torque. In march of 1983 the Voyager was launched, a fully dressed tourer:- it featured a fairing, panniers, top box, stepped seat, digital speedometer, radio/cassette deck and on board computer for trip and fuel calculations. The Voyager was a big hit with serious touring riders despite its higher price than its competitors.

After its 12 year run the Z1300, Kawasaki's first liquid cooled six cylinder engined bike ceased production in 1989. 20,000 Z1300's and 4,500 Voyagers had been produced.

Today as we stand testament for the Z1300 is still a popular choice for many bikers.

In 1978 Honda and Benelli had a six, Kawasaki were to be different. The Z1300 was a six with water cooling and shaft drive:- the ultimate sports tourer. It was the heaviest at 297kg but the 120bhp was more than enough to power the bike to over 145mph. It soon found admirers all over the world.



1978. The Z1300 Prototype.

The 1286cc motor was smooth and a masterpiece of design and easy to work on. The Z1300 was the "King of the road".



1979. The Z1300-A1

Starting frame number: KZT30A-000101

This the first model was only available in one colour, starlight blue with gold pin stripe. The Z1300 handled better than it should have and surprised many of the reviewers at the time. The brakes were poor and it had little ground clearance. But the Z1300 was in a class of its own.



1980. The Z1300-A2

Starting frame number: KZT30A-006201

The A2 was offered again in only one colour: ruby red. The A2 was an improvement over the A1, the sump was much bigger: A bid to counter act the crank problems the A1 had experienced. It was increased from a capacity of 4.5 litres of oil to 6.



1980. The KZ1300-B2 Touring

Starting frame number: KZT30B-000001

This model was not released in the UK, being mainly a US model. It was basically a Z1300a with a fairing, top box and panniers. Again only one colour was offered: Royal dark red. The heaviest bike got even heavier.



1981. The Z1300-A3

Starting frame number: JKAKZAA15BA-011501

The A3 was available in two colours: Holy green and Ebony. A chrome grab rail was fitted and the outer engine cases and air filter covers were chromed. The electronic ignition was modified and gas rear shocks absorbers were fitted. The A3 was now also being built at the Lincoln factory in The USA.



1982. The Z1300-A4

Starting frame number: KZT30A-014101

1982 saw few differences in the Z1300, it was offered in two colours: Passion red or ebony. The CDI pickups were moved and the horn covers were changed.



1983. The Z1300-A5

Starting frame number: KZT30A-015901

The A5 had even few differences than previous models, the badges were changed but it was offered in the same colours.



1984. ZG1300-A1

Starting frame number: ZGT30A-000001

1984 Saw a big change, the introduction of the digital fuel injection. the power output was now 130bhp. The colour were the same still: Red or ebony. The outer cases and side panel badges were modified.



1985. No new model. Sales were slowing.



1986. The ZG1300-A2

Starting frame number: ZGT30A-002801

More or less same bike same colours.



1987. The ZG1300-A3

Starting frame number: ZGT30A-002801

Same again.



1988. The ZG1300A4

Starting frame number: ZGT30A-003501

The Z1300 was now only offered in one colour: Ebony, only a handful of UK sales being made.



1989. The ZG1300-A5

Sales of the Z1300 were almost at a stand still and this model was being sold until 1993.



The ZN1300 Voyager:- "a car without doors"

In 1983 the Voyager was introduced by Kawasaki. It was a fully dressed tourer aimed at the American market. It was fitted with every extra conceivable and was refferred to as a car without doors.



1983. The ZN1300-A1

Starting frame number: JKAZNAA1DA000001

Colour two tone ebony.



1984. The ZN1300-A2

Starting frame number: JKAZNAA1 EB500001 (USA) and EA000401 (JAPAN)

Colour two tone ebony.



1985. The ZN1300-A3

Starting frame number: JKAZNAAI FB501501 (USA) and

Colour two tone ebony.



1986 The ZN1300-A4

Starting frame number: JKAZNAAI GA001501

Colour vintage red and metallic greystone.



1987 The ZN1300-A5

Starting frame number: JKAZNAA1 HB503301

Colour vintage red and metallic greystone.



1988 ZN1300-A6

Starting frame number: JKAZNAA1 JB503701

Colour vintage red and metallic greystone.



Kawasaki eventually replaced the ZN1300 with the 1200cc four cylinder Voyager which was lighter and better equipped.

wrgoo56 wrote: You guy are going to think I am nut after in this group for so long. But maybe this is not a dumb question after all.
Ok here is question first. Is there one main color for each year of bike or was there many colors for each year of bike?
Now here is the reason I am asking. I have read that the 1982 fuel tank on the KZ1300 is 6.2 gals not the 5.2 gals like mine. The other reason I am asking is because I have found a fuel tank that is in good shape or so it looks for 300.00 on a web site but the color is dark red. This was a full dress bike and every thing is the same color including the trunk, side bags , fairing and side covers but they are saying its a 1979. I know the 79 did not come full dress that was an option. its the vesser set up.

Hello wrogoo:

It's not a dumb question. Out of the 4 to 5 years the KZ was offered in the states There were just the two tank styles.

79 thru 80 A and B models received the larger slab sided tanks.

81 thru 83 A models received the smaller Peanut (Rounded) tank.

On the later models some installed the larger slab tank to get the one or so extra gallon of fuel and the added range.

As for colors, generally they just came one or two colors per year. (Per kwak's post above) Because the later years were produced in such small numbers, I have only seen the black (Ebony) color for 81 and 82 models. (In the states)

Someone else feel free to chime in if I am wrong.

Regards.

Todd.

Hi guys

there are four different tanks available:

the small peanuts tank (US)
the small (US) edgy one
the big one (EU models as well as the B1 Touring)
Voyager unknown to me

As for the colours:

Z1300 A1:
colour: starlight luminous blue
stripes: gold
frame: KZT30A-000101 to KTZ30A-005618
engine: KZT30AE0001010 to KZT30AE005309

Z1300 A2
colour: Luminous Ruby Red
stripes: gold
frame: KZT30A-006201 to KZT30A-010993
eninge: KZT30AE005801 to KZT30AE012373

Z1300 A3
colour: Luminous Holly Green
stripes: gold & lightgreen
frame: KZT30AE011501 to KZT30AE014100
eninge:KZT30AE012401 to KZT30AE014800

Z1300 A4
colours: "Luminous Passion Red" & "Ebony"
stripes: black + gold & red & gold
frame: KZT30AE014101 to KZT30AE015439
engine: KZT30AE014801 bis KZT30AE015946

Z1300 A5: same as A4

Z1300 DFI (ZG1300 A1-A3): same as A4

Z1300 DFI: (ZG1300 A5)
colour: black
stripes: red & gold
additional special label as legendary six

I left out the Voyagers.

regardZ

Holger

Kwak1261 that is the one I also found and thank you guys for the come back. The tank listed I am looking at is an 1980 so it should be the same size as mine and its going for 300.00 buck hopefully it will still be there in 4 weeks when I got money.