parts interchangeability with later zr motors?

hi,

got a dilemma at the moment with the flywheel i think(not sure what the part's called on a bike, the part the starter motor has to turn over), it apparently needs to be replaced and suitable parts aren't readily available...

wondering whether or not the internals are the same on the later zr motors if so this would make it much easier to get parts and speed my repairs so i can get on the road.

reading my manual tells me the part the mechanic's probably talking about is the 'starter clutch gear' if that makes it any clearer...

I think the best way to find out would be to go onto Kawasaki web site. click on owners info, then click onto parts schematic. of course do this for your current application. Write down the part # you need. Then do the same procedure for any bike you make think interchanges. Hence match up the part #.
That should work without any doubt.
Or if you have a Zedder disc, get the part # and it will tell you how many bikes interchange with any specific part.
Thats all I can recommend, but its better than guessing.
I hate those comments like..."well it looks the same, so it will work"...lol
BTW don't forget to LocTight that center bolt!
And TORQUE it to spec.
More than one of those bolts has loosened up and caused problems!

The latest ZR-7 is basically a KZ750 engine. Of course, do the part # check, but I know a former ZR-7 owner that replaced his whole starter clutch with one from a KZ650, and simply dropped in.

that's what i thought. matching up part numbers is all well and good but often across these different models the part can remain the same but the part numbers change...mechanic tried to tell me they wouldn't fit but seemed more an answer of convenience rather than one based on fact. apparently two of my carbs were corroded beyond repair when they came off too, so that's more time/money...why do i have to like these bikes so much?!

same Q, re: cam chain. i know they are the same part number as 96-02 zephyr, are later zr-7's the same? local kawa dealer has zr7 ones for 141, z specialist wants 179 + shipping or a fair trip to go pick up...only thing the dearer one has going for it is it has a joining link on it? how much easier does the joining link make fitment? it'll be the mechanic doing the work.

I have a Zephyr '91 and cam chain is a Hy-Vo chain. Although I've heard of joining link on Hy-Vo, I didn't think they could make it on this complex chain.

My thought is; of course, it would make a big difference putting it on, as the bottom end wouldn't have to come apart, however, I would wonder about the durability, and how much stress it could take.

By the way, Zephyr and ZR-7s were "retro's".
They used same KZ750 engines with modern suspensions. Engine are, mechanicaly, same, except for details like cam profile, ignition, carbs and exhaust. The bottom end of the ZR-7 is somewhat different, as they added a Primary Chain tensioner, to make it smoother against the Suzy SV650.

if you think bikes are expensive try bringing a 25-30 year old car back from the dead you will really change your mind then. as far as using a master link for a cam chain any mechanic worth his pay cheque will not put them in they are now the weak link in the cam chain and for the little bit of extra time it would take to split the cases it is definitly worth it.

cheers for the insight guys. unfortunately it's an expense i know all too well i've got a '66 HR Holden Premier that until recently was my daily driver...the bike was supposed to be the cheaper option, haha...the lies we tell ourselves.

kz with the hr in the background: