Kawi Dealer

So I was out at the stealer today with a friend and just for shits I decided to ask for a part, just to see how much it was there. The guy tells me he has no listing for any bike prior to 1987. I say "But I was heer last year and it wasn't a problem." And he just basically told me that I couldn't get any part whatsoever. Anybody else come across this? I used to be able to at least get gaskets and stuff.

He has access to the same database you and I do (Mother Kawasaki's database). The dealer has chosen not to deal with anything older than 1987. Phrased another way, the dealer has decided not to invest any time in looking up parts for classic bikes. I generally avoid Kawasaki dealers because of such attitudes (my local dealer wanted me to bring in my KZ750R1 (aka 1982 GPz) because he had never seen one.:huh: :blink: :dry: Ain't been back since.

Yeah they've always been assholes but this takes the cake.

The dealer here will at least check. SOmetimes it can be had, sometimes not. I haven't had them do it in a few years mainly because I found other sources and because the KZ1100 project has kinda gotten stalled due to life happening.

One thing I do know; if you buy parts from Kawasaki for an old bike, they will very quickly make it worth your while to buy a new bike. Highway robbery what they get for basic stuff.

My local Kawi dealer has been very good about getting parts for me. 98% of the time, they don't have what I need in stock. So what I do now is that I look up the part number on the Kawi website, then I call their parts department, give them the part number and they order it for me. I give them my CC number over the phone. About a week later, they call me when the part has come in, and I go get it.

They've never given me any hassle about ordering OEM parts for vintage bikes. I just have the part number prepared before I call and they order it for me. And my local dealer even gives a discount off MSRP. That helps take some of the sticker shock away. :blink:

Now for an opposing viewpoint....
The head mechanic/parts manager at my Kaw dealer is an old KZ nut. He loves it when I visit, and always takes a break to go out and look at my bike. He gives me discounts on stuff when he can, and he's always good to take the helm with the microfishce machine when looking for parts. He knows the kids working there have no idea, so he does it himself. Usually the part's not stocked, but he does try.
Probably not very many of these old mechanics left; guys that were wrenching when the Z1 was in the showroom. But a few are still breathin'.

Your dealer is just being a jerk, and the funny part is he's losing your business. The closest dealer to me will order anything Kawawsaki still sells, but he does tend to mark everything up quite a bit. I order 99% of my stuff from the internet because Z1 Enterprises and others have low prices that, even after paying for shipping, save me $$ on all but the smallest orders. Also, there are plenty of NOS obsolete parts available on eBay and at internet parts houses. If you find yourself stumped looking for a part, post the part number on this site and somebody will help you find it. Ed

LOL...I work at a large dealership. I love lookin up old parts for people...But I ALWAYS check the status of the parts before I order. Beware the dreaded discontinued part. The customers really appriciate that.
Gets me lots of friends and hookups in the old bike world.

Sounds like theres a good mix of jerks and nice people out there. I just dont understand with my dealer, up until last year I could get stuff out there, and they were nice about it. I guess its NOS, used, and Z1 from now on.

The closest Kawi dealer to me is about 30 miles away and he carries absolutly nothing for bikes new or old. He says the demand is just not there. Now he sells nothing but quads and mules.
We have another dealer about 100 miles away that has been pretty good about getting parts. He will even ship them to my door for cost of shipping to save me a trip.

Last time i bought something at a stealership was a carb part for my 1983 VF750F. That was the last time ever. You can pretty much buy the same parts they can on sites like bikebandit and such. You also dont have to leave your house and spend valuable time and money driving around, or deal with peoples BS once you get there.

Our local Kawi dealer won't look at any bike over 15 years old. They still will order parts but when I asked if I could buy one of those Kawi ring compressors they got pissed and said it's for dealerships only. HUH? Oh well I got one off ebay for $85. :laugh: