Where to find new parts for old bikes

Funnily enough I was talking to my local Kawasaki parts guy the other day and I was saying how I didn't have the rubber mounts for my computer. Anyway he looks up on the computer and says they're still available and are 10-14 days delivery ex Japan.
I haven't been able to find the original screws for the sidecovers, either. The existing ones have damaged heads, so he looked them up and sure enough they were in stock in NZ only overnight delivery.

Sometimes, it pays to look right under your nose.

Actually, when I see NOS Kawasaki parts on eBay, I almost always double-check with Kawasaki on-line. Sometimes I am rewarded with a 'still available'.

Ive had great luck getting my oem parts from bike bandit.com. They have had every thing i needed for my project build.

Glenn, I am fairly certain those are repops. I paid 3oo plus for my rear z1 fender and I am fairly certain that z1parts.net has the exact same fenders for a 100 less. I am just saying that

I think in Japan someone did a quality repro that you honestly wouldn't be able to tell the difference. In fact, I was looking at the original fenders and saw lines in the chrome, the one I ordered, although it had indentations from where the metal was joined together, was perfect plating. The "OEM" version looked exactly the same as the repro which is why I tend to think as I do.
I am going to give z1parts.net a shot and see if their plastics are as good as OEM plastics. I know the side covers are different than those heavy clunky repros they have at z1enterprises that are nice but not as good as OEM finish. (They don't break when they fall off and that is good I guess but the mold comes out rough).
It's about time though that someone realizes that there is getting to be a niche market for these parts.
If the mods could make a stickie for everyone to post their opinions and impressions of things that they have tried out we could get some great useful info here.

Mcdroid wrote: Actually, when I see NOS Kawasaki parts on eBay, I almost always double-check with Kawasaki on-line. Sometimes I am rewarded with a 'still available'.

+1 It's amazing how many parts are still available for my bike after 36 years. Many parts for one of my GM cars were no longer available while the car was still under warranty! Ed

People sell OEM Kawasaki parts on eBay for more than than the cost for new ones from Kawasaki. I always check with Ron Ayers first.

Bike Bandit is aptly named, just compare prices to Ron Ayers.

saxjonz wrote: Glenn, I am fairly certain those are repops. I paid 3oo plus for my rear z1 fender and I am fairly certain that z1parts.net has the exact same fenders for a 100 less. I am just saying that

I think in Japan someone did a quality repro that you honestly wouldn't be able to tell the difference. In fact, I was looking at the original fenders and saw lines in the chrome, the one I ordered, although it had indentations from where the metal was joined together, was perfect plating. The "OEM" version looked exactly the same as the repro which is why I tend to think as I do.
I am going to give z1parts.net a shot and see if their plastics are as good as OEM plastics. I know the side covers are different than those heavy clunky repros they have at z1enterprises that are nice but not as good as OEM finish. (They don't break when they fall off and that is good I guess but the mold comes out rough).
It's about time though that someone realizes that there is getting to be a niche market for these parts.
If the mods could make a stickie for everyone to post their opinions and impressions of things that they have tried out we could get some great useful info here.

Point taken, I think that things like fenders may have to be manufacturered even if you buy from kawasaki. You would be buying the fender built to the same quality as original, whether that's a good thing or not.

i get OEM parts for mine at bikebandit.com

steell wrote: People sell OEM Kawasaki parts on eBay for more than than the cost for new ones from Kawasaki. I always check with Ron Ayers first.

Bike Bandit is aptly named, just compare prices to Ron Ayers.

When i bring up kawasaki oem parts diagram to select year it shows they dont have anything for 1983 and below.

The best way I found to go about it is to look at the parts diagrams on Kawasaki.com to see if the part is "Active." If it is you can plug the part number into "Search" on ronayers.com and it will show the price. You can compare that price with those of other vendors and eBay to see who has the best deal. Ed

Powerstroke_fan wrote:

steell wrote: People sell OEM Kawasaki parts on eBay for more than than the cost for new ones from Kawasaki. I always check with Ron Ayers first.

Bike Bandit is aptly named, just compare prices to Ron Ayers.

When i bring up kawasaki oem parts diagram to select year it shows they dont have anything for 1983 and below.

What you can do is find the part at Kawasaki.com or Partzilla, then search the part number at RonAyers. The Partzilla site is easier to navigate & they show NLA parts as OBSOLETE. But in some cases they don't have a diagram drawing & sometimes it seems that too many models are lumped together in their cross-reference.

good info guys i have seen that site before but never searched for part numbers on there. Next time i will give it a try.