KZ900: Hydraulic Clutch Conversion

Obviously it's Sunday morning and I'm bored....:blink:

Anyone ever use this kit from AmericanClassix or something similar?

Results (smooth, no change, PITA to install and get working correctly, piece of junk etc...)?

Old Man Rock

Better Yet! Sweet...........

OMR

Where's the fun in buying and installing a store bought kit?

Other members have used the hydraulic clutch pieces off a later model Ninja to convert their KZ's to hydraulic clutch operation. You might take a tour through the Gallery and see if any are pictured there.

I guess I dont get why you would even want to do it ? The stock setup works fine for me with very little to go wrong except the cable and Ive never seen one break

As written in another posting, early Sunday morning so I was bored and started researching other ideas/toys for the project and came across this.

Was just wondering if anyone else has done this...

Same time, I could see this as a plus for those using their bikes as a main means of transportation in daily stop and go traffic... Less hand/arm fatigue.

OMR

MY newly acquired 1980 KZ1000 has a conversion installed. I have the same question... why? After that said. It works great. Smooth, EZ, consistent. A notice difference over the cable, but not seeing the point personally.

mtkawboy wrote:

I guess I dont get why you would even want to do it ? The stock setup works fine for me with very little to go wrong except the cable and Ive never seen one break

You've never seen one break??

It's a common failure point, the design of the lever attaching point virtually guarantees it will break sooner or later, normally right at the end of the barrel that fits in the lever where the barrel is attached to the cable.

I'd like to hear RonKZ650's experiences regarding broken clutch cables, unless he replaces them at regular intervals I imagine he's broken a few.

When I am sitting at a stoplight waiting for the green, I "always" have the front brake applied to keep me from jumping out in front of someone if the clutch cable breaks (I always keep the bike in gear so I can move to avoid being slammed).

Yeah, I've had a few clutch cables break.


And a hydraulic clutch is "Techno Cool" :laugh:

Ahem....read this.. ambergrismooon.blogspot.com/2008_01_05_archive.html

I'd love to have a HD clutch. Had a few bikes with them and fell in love.

Well, Ive only been riding for 48 years too, Kawasaki's since 1973 with my first Z1, maybe thats why Ive never seen one break. Now my Harley wears my hands out, it could use one with the extra clutch plates

mtkawboy wrote:

Well, Ive only been riding for 48 years too, Kawasaki's since 1973 with my first Z1, maybe thats why Ive never seen one break. Now my Harley wears my hands out, it could use one with the extra clutch plates

You have about 5 years more experience than I do, although my first Kawasaki was an A7 Avenger in 1969

Two members with broken clutch cables in this Thread

One in this Thread

Another one Here

And another one Here

And a whole thread on breaking clutch cables Here


102 results for search for "broke clutch cable" and probably even more if I would have searched for "broken clutch cable", so I would say that my statement that it is common is likely true

I believe I said "I never saw one break" and I havent. Obviously they do and I was wrong but is it a cable lube problem, a routing problem or a cable problem ? I can go to 66 with a Bultaco Metisse 250, I also said my first Kawasaki not my first motorcycle. Then there was a 69 CB750 Honda, a 70 DTI Yamaha 250and a 72 Harley Sportster 1000. I stand corrected and will keep my mouth shut in the presense of a true expert:(

Ron 650's last post says a lot to me on your last link. Is it a cheap cable, wrong installation, or poor maintenace behind all these failures ? Fortunately you never have problems with anything hydraulic in Montana where it sets in the garage at -30 in the winter, sign me up for one of those $500 hydraulic setups. Im done now :laugh: