Early Z1 Nikko Horn

Does anyone know when they quit using the "screwed" together Nikko horns on the early Z's I know this horn was also used on the H2-750 in 72 with a different bracket. I'm sorry I always ask the odd questions??? A few photos of an example, screwed not riveted assembly. Just finishing-up some tid-bit correct parts for a late 73 Z.

I checked my book by John Brookes and it says the change date is unknown.

Best we can come up with is the one pictured is PN# 27003-040, but no frame # when it was implemented. It's the last version held together by screws. It superseded the earliest documented Z1 horn, PN# 27003-029, also assembled with screws. The next three versions were all riveted.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Sometime in late 73 or early 74 the horn changed from screws to rivets.
If original report the vin, there was also a change from bolt to stud and nut in 73.

Thank-You fellas for the info! Always amazes me how much you "think" you know then Wham. Two different styles of the one pictured, interesting! And 73 you say studded, is that on the bracket of horn or frame?

Oh and I just got this off ebay so I don't know what it originally came off of? I seem to remember it Did have the triangle bracket from a Triple but I just switched the 4-leaf holder to it after cleaning the points inside. All the ones specific to the early Z's seemed to have the same font of print and information on the face ring. Ones with original brackets were going for about $150-200 at the time and I doubt any of them worked or would work for long once the rust broke loose inside and fall into the points. So I just tried to duplicate.

>>> "Thank-You fellas for the info! Always amazes me how much you "think" you know then Wham. Two different styles of the one pictured, interesting! And 73 you say studded, is that on the bracket of horn or frame? "

I have seen three types of horns.
1st type uses bolt through bracket into horn (like photo)
2nd type has stud on horn, bracket slips over stud with big nut on top (still uses screws)
3rd type switch from screws to rivets.

The 1st type was used on early z1's, switch to 2nd type was before Z1F-10000 (2nd type may have appeared as early as Z1F-2000, not sure, I have z1 near Z1F-1500, can check in spring)

Thanks 73! Makes sense now for stud, like all that followed. Here's another one for you. The numerical stamp on each terminal stud, batch code or date code? This is the later style that was originally riveted but while I wad fiddling around with the other one I did it just to see if I could. Couldn't duplicate the rivets so did what you're looking at. I've got a tub full of them and none work, had nothing to lose.

My guess is date code. 4 5 would be 74, May.

The only clearly documented factory info we can find re: changes to horns is Kawasaki Service Bulletin #SER 74 Z-29, dated 3/22/74.

In the bottom paragraph of the 1st. page, Mama Kaw makes a vague mention of a change "earlier in production" (bolt > stud & wide nut). This bulletin simply documents one change in part # and, the addition of a fourth leaf to the mounting bracket.




We'll check two of our '73's that we're confident of having the factory horns and both of our '74's, which will have original factory horns on them this weekend & post results as to bracket type & bolt or stud/nut fastener.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Z1F-50618 original horn, terminals read 8 3, build is 7/74, horn is 11 months old at build, long time.