Big Bore starter.

What is the best modification to make a
KZ turn over easier with the electric starter?

You need to get one from a Honda cb series(older ones).
They have more oomph,and with minor mods,they will drop right into a KZ.

I'll see if I can dig up some more info for Ya.

Try doing a search,because I know this was talked about a couple years ago,and there were others that mentioned the Honda starters as well.

Here Ya go Tim...

forums.dragbike.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5765&KW

Scroll down and read what what the Member, "Stuart Racing" has to say.

The KZ starter is only 6kw,as opposed to the 8kw starter from an earlyier Honda,btw.

I just did this mod about 2 weeks ago and am very happy with it. The Honda CB starter drops right in. I did haave to grind about 1/4" on the inside of the sprocket cover to clear the new starter positive connection. It is in a little different spot compared to the KZ. I bought the starter on Ebay, got it for $20. shipped!!

bkitchen wrote:

I just did this mod about 2 weeks ago and am very happy with it. The Honda CB starter drops right in. I did haave to grind about 1/4" on the inside of the sprocket cover to clear the new starter positive connection. It is in a little different spot compared to the KZ. I bought the starter on Ebay, got it for $20. shipped!!

I've been thinking about this mod for years but never knew if it really worked or not. Sounds like it does! Is the starter gear on the starter the same (teeth work with the Kaw teeth)? It bolts in the same way? Do the starter cover bolts line up correctly too?
Thanks

How old are you talking abought? My budy who I bought my KZ from deals in older CB's.

At one time I remember there was a guy rewinding
starters for more power.My starter has 63,000 miles
on it,probably needs replacing anyway.

1979-1982 Honda CB900 Custom. I have one on my bike and it works great 1325 10.5/1 KZ. The stock starter would not start itwhen it was warmed up. The honda starter starts it with no problem at all. Make sure to run a nice new wire from the starter to the relay also.

I think most of the cb750, 900, 1000, and 1100 late 70's early 80's starters are the same. All bolt holes line up exactlyand also the gear on the motor was exactly the same. Pretty much a drop in installation other then the little positive connection cleareance issue. And that was VERY minor.

bkitchen wrote:

I think most of the cb750, 900, 1000, and 1100 late 70's early 80's starters are the same. All bolt holes line up exactlyand also the gear on the motor was exactly the same. Pretty much a drop in installation other then the little positive connection cleareance issue. And that was VERY minor.

Hey bkitchen - just checking in with another question -
Do you remember if your CB starter is from a 750, 900, or 1100? I've read some other posts that mention that the 750 starter might be a .07KW instead of the .08KW units on the larger bore hondas. I think I'm going to need this mod and want to pick up a starter motor on eBay. I'm just not sure which model to get. Thanks!

I have a starter off a CBR 1100 with a 1200cc big bore and it turns over just fine. The starter is very powerful and the first time I installed it, it sheared the key off the starter shaft.

Are any of you guys running a honda starter that looks like the picture below? It's from a CB900 but I've noticed that the 900 starters have part of the mounting holes cut away, where the mounting bolts go through. Would this work on our KZ's??