shifter return spring

Hey,
Been looking for some info. I believe you have talked about this subject in the past, but I couldn't find anything on it. I have a KZ 900 of varying years, (aproximaly 1977) which I recently had to swap the cases out. (cracked on bearing journal) when I got it together it would only shift into first and second, due to the shift lever return spring binding. the original case had a pocket that the spring slid into and the latter case didn't. I do not have any info as to what year the cases are. According to the Kawasaki dealer, most all of the early years use the same spring, but I have heard otherwise.

Thanks,
any information would be helpfull,
CafeKZRocket

Earlier cases used 3 loops on the big shift spring and later KZ1000 cases used 4 loops. If try to use the 4 loop spring on an early case, the shift pawls will be set out a tad too far and they will be slightly bent where they go into the shift drum and engage the pins. I suspect this combo wouldn't shift well at all. I think the two springs have different part numbers but can't swear to it. I tried using a four loop spring in some KZ900 cases and had about the same luck as you before I realized the spring had one more loop.

I went to Kawasaki's website and searched for the part numbers, i found that for 900's and 1000's they listed one part number, 92083-028 till about 1980 when they started listing several part numbers. The motor # is Z1E 095603 and the frame # is Z1E 509916 showing a date of 76. they used the same output shaft cover till about 1979, when they changed it, would it be possible that i had a 1980 or later transmission and now I have a early transmission with a late output shaft cover? Any way to tell? Just for the record the spring that i am talking about is part 5 in the enclosed picture,

Thanks

corrected picture

Dunno but I do know that you need to have the correct spring for the application because the shift pawls which are the things that look like crab pincers in #6 won't contact the pins correctly in the shift drum. Call Saunders at Z1E and he knows the difference and can get you the correct spring if you need one. I remember when I got the wrong one and fumbled for an hour trying to make a bike shift correctly and then noticing the extra loop in the spring, I talked with Jeff about it. Hopefully he will remember although he is a rather old fellow and may forget this kind of stuff... my whining at him should help jog his memory. hehe