Mirrors

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ARCHIVE_crash

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years of production

I was under the impression that the ZL1000was only made in 1987, or was that only in the USA.
 
My Oz model "ZL1000A" has 1/88 on the ADR (Australian Design Rules) compliance plate (the plate doesn't specify whether it's an A1 or A2 model). The Frame number is: ZLT00A-001559 and this is on the plate and stamped into the steering head.

According to my Kawasaki ZL1000 "Motorcycle Service Manual Supplement" (P/No 99924-1077-51) this frame number could be anywhere as it only provides starting frame numbers, not a range between first and last. It lists the ZL1000-A1 only and the year is 1987 only. The numbers listed on the back page are:

"Beginning Frame No.
JKAZLCA1_HA000001 or
JKAZLCA1_HB500001.
(This '_' digit in the frame number changes from one machine to another.)"

I don't know if the date stated on the ADR plate is the DOM or the date the plate is affixed to the velocipede. My guess is that it's a late '87 DOM and it arrived in Oz to have its ADR plate attached in January '88. If this and other bikes have had their plates attached with a "Date Plate Affixed" on them this could give rise to some confusion. My best bet to settle any arguments over a six pack would be to write to KHI in Japan.

Good luck with that, sorry this is a long read with no proof in the end. If you get a definitive answer perhaps a permanent post of the details on this site would benefit us all (bragging rights only of course).
 
On the registration details of my ZL1000 A1 it states that it was first registered in the UK in August 1986

KK
 
It'd be nice to get some "genuine" facts about the good ole ZL1000's .. as I've got 2 of 'em.

I've heard all sorts of info bandied about .. would just be nice to know fer sure.

Have heard, they were only made in the one year 1987 .. have also heard 2 figures for how many were made .. have heard there were only 1500 made in total and also heard there were 2400 made in total.

My local Kwaka dealer/parts shop suggested the ZL1000-A1 was bikes for the US market and that the ZL1000-A2 was for the export market, (outside the USA) but that both model designations were only made in the one year of 1987.

Rocket, our "compliance plates" here can cause confusion ... for instance a 2002 model bike that is imported perhaps in 2003/2004 would be "compliance plated" once it got here to our shores. There has been a lot of confusion caused by dealers/private sellers etc offering bikes for sale and advertising them as "complianced 2004" etc when in actual fact the bike is actually a 2002 model etc. The old saying of "Let the buyer beware" has never been more applicable.

Anyways ... hopefully we can get some "solid" info that would be of interest to us all re how many and when they were made etc
 
Mine is definately an A1 and definately an original for the UK, as it doesn't have lights which come on with the ignition, a reserve lighting device, or the emission control equipment. Also the rear indicators are mounted lower on the UK model. (I assume the minimum heights are different in different countries).

When I spoke to the Kawasaki Stealer, they told me that around 400 were originally imported into the UK (Genuine imports that is). How true? I don't know. I wonder how many are left after 20 years??

KK
 
I found some more info on my model in the ZL1000 Motorcycle Service Manual Supplement P/No 99924-1090-51 (this is a small 6 page booklet that supplements chapter 18 in the ZL1000 supplement manual. It lists those only those maintenance and repair procedures unique to ZL1000-A1 (other than US and Canadian Model). Therefore this supplement indicates that the ZL1000-A1 is not a unique US/Canadian model.

On its back page it states: "1987... Beginning Frame No. ZLT00A-000001". So again this suggests only available in 1987.

With regards to the ...-A1/-A2 designation, I too would like to see the definitive differences between these two models. While there are several difference between many model of ZL I suspect most of them have more to do with the compliance in different markets than the ...-A1/-A2 designation. That is there are probably as many differences within the ...-A1 model depending on the markets in which each bike was released and likewise for the ...-A2 model.

As for the dealers/private sellers etc offering bikes for sale and advertising them as "Complianced 2004", I have a specific grievance with this practice, so much so I have written to the QLD Dept of Consumer Affairs regarding a dealer advertising polished turds as "2004 Complianced" (1992 Honda CBR250RR with new chain, sprockets, tyres, paint and rubber). Now these things are marketed to the novice rider who may not be aware of the age of the bike and will fork out top dollar for an old bike simply because he didn't think to ask (he/she may walk in believing they already know the model because they saw it advertised as a "2004" model). The QLD Dept of Consumer Affairs responded to my letter buy stating there was nothing they could do because what they were doing was not illegal so long as they used the term "Complianced" with the 2004 date and not "DOM" or "new" and they advise the customer the actual "DOM" or "new" if asked. I try...

Rosco, where the pics of your second bike?
 
How about mirrors?
The stock ones are too big and take away from the drag lok of the bike
 
I will eventually be installing bar ends on mine, they look slick, I think Rick_in_WA has bar ends on his, look in the photo gallery, otherwise, there are TONS of mirrors to be had, just look around, you've got Parts Unlimited, Dennis Kirk (my favorite) and Bike Bandit, just to name a few.
Good Luck!
moab...
 
I've got a single bar end on mine. You can forget seeing much out of them - they are usually small and vibrate way too much - even with a little extra dampening - I added some rubber here and there to try and deaden the vibration - helped a little but it's hard to make out much. Dont' get me wrong, they are not bad, but nothing like the stock mirrors or others that might bolt up on top of the handlebar nearer the center. I also have the "bar snake" installed - don't waste your money on that either. I definitely love the look of the bar end mirrors though. Besides, why do you need to look behind you? Oh yeah, to see who you just left in the dust!!!! hahahaha. Later.
 
The one good thing about the stock mirrors is they actually work. You dont have to tuck your elbows in to see whats behind you. I did ride without them for ages but prefer to have them fitted, too maky pri*ks around driving up your butt trying to get a close look at your bike IMHO... Dangerous not to have them I recon.

blag

Ricks bar ends are nice... pity his bike doesnt work though....hehehe :stir:
 
I have to tuck my everything in to see out of the stockers, but the view is good...No vibration or anything, I just wish they weren't so bloody ugly.
moab...
 
I like Blag am in favour of stock mirrors - not just for the lokk of the bike, but also to see blind cage drivers on their mobile phones about to arse end you !
Vin
 
bar-ends on mine. personaly I like the look.
Ricks_pos2.jpg
 
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