New member working on 1977 KZ1000

Hi,

Been into bikes for many years, started out on Kawasaki but recently have been more into the Hondas. I have 3 V65s, a Kawi 900 Eliminator, Star Raider and a 1998 1100 Shadow ACE. Working on my shop, I love working on bikes but know the Honda V4s much better. I'm working on a buddies KZ1000, have a few questions and will post those up in the tech section I guess.

I'm on a couple of bike forums, most under the same name, Wstar425. Trucking background for those of you that might have made the connection.

My senior year 1976 I rode home on a 903, my Mom made me take it back, just a loaner ride. I ended up with the KZ750 twin which was probably not one of Big K's best bikes. I had about every LTD model made over the year, then got out of it when the kids and farm came along. Now that kids are gone I am trying to make up time.

Next purchase will be a 2003-2005 ZRX or a CBR1100XX Blackbird, but those are at least a year away until son graduates from college. Probably sell the Shadow, that is the one we don't ride. The Raider and Shadow are my wife's, fast bikes are mine!

Later, Doug

Here are a couple of pics of some of my rides.


1986 900 Eliminator

1983 V65, my regular ride


1986 V65 show bike, don't ride it a lot. It is going to be my next one if the 83 ever gets beyond repair. I hope not!


Wifey's Raider. It won't keep up with those three, but does a better job than the Shadow by FAR!!!!

welcome to z-jungle!

I have a question on the starter on the 1977 KZ1000 I am working on. I have it back together and running. The only way it will start is with the clutch pulled in. Even in neutral, the clutch has to be pulled in. I don't have any neutral indicator light working right now either, not sure if that is connected or not.

Anyway, my local Kawi dealer thought they were like this from the factory but I thought they would start with the clutch lever out if they were in neutral. So, do I still have some issues or not?

Thanks

What you're describing is the clutch interlock switch. Kawasaki added this feature to prevent starting the engine in gear as a safety feature.

To bypass it, open up the headlight housing and hook together the wires the clutch interlock switch connects to.

MFolks wrote:

What you're describing is the clutch interlock switch. Kawasaki added this feature to prevent starting the engine in gear as a safety feature.

To bypass it, open up the headlight housing and hook together the wires the clutch interlock switch connects to.

If I do that couldn't it start while in gear and possible take off if you had it on the side stand?

What I'm wondering is if it was made this way, have to have the clutch pulled in even in neutral? If not WHERE IS THE CLUTCH INTERLOCK SWITCH?

I have the switch on the clutch lever. The only other switches I saw was the oil pressure switch behind the cylinders by the cam chain tensioner, and a switch in front of the front sprocket, which I believe is the neutral indicator light switch.

With the engine off,squeeze the clutch lever,a small switch has a plunger that rides against the lever preventing the engine from starting.

The switch has two wires usually in a black vinyl tube going inside the headlight housing.

I defeated my clutch interlock switch by connecting a insulated wire jumper between the wires the switch connected to. I still remember to be careful starting in gear as there is no interlock now.

Right, I understand all of that. I know where the switch on the clutch lever is. My question is this. It won't start even in neutral unless you pull in the clutch. Is this correct? Have to pull the clutch in to start it all the time, no other way will it start no matter what gear or neutral.


Thanks

I have a 78 KZ1000 and you are correct- you have to pull the clutch in to start even in neutral.