Need to remove engine drive sprocket..80 KZ750

Greetings !

I am replacing some o-rings to stop an oil leak. I need to pull off the drive sprocket before I can pull the plate off behind it. Per the Clymer manual, there is a lock plate which needs to be flattened before I can loosen the sprocket nut. I see no lockplate that can be flattened at all. Also, when I tried to loosen the nut, it was a no go even with a lot of force put on the socket.
1st question...it is a lefty loosy thread...right?
2nd question...do I need to just put more force in the bar?
3rd question...why does it seem that what the manual says is not what it looks like in front of me?

Thanks in advance, guys.

JJ

1) Yep it's left loosy
2) Tough to say, might be better to spray it with some sort of penetrating oil and trying a little later. I just changed my sprocket and the bolt was so loose that I literally turned it by hand and it came off. Scary.
3) I'm guessing it's supposed to be there but the previous owner either replaced the sprocket and ruined the washer and never bothered replacing it (only supposed to use it once)

This should be the washer you're looking for.

www.z1enterprises.com/Lock-Washer--count...ft-sprocket-340.aspx

The best advice anyone has every given me on this forum is to throw away that Clymer manual and purchase a Kawasaki Factory Service Manual(FSM) from eBay. It makes like a whole lot easier.

Manuals (some of these wbsites sell used manuals, just ask)
www.repairmanual.com
www.manualsnmore.com
www.midwestmanuals.com/
www.books4cars.com/
www.repairmanualclub.com/motomanuals/
moto-manuals.com/
www.e-classicbike.com/

Mine was VERY tight. I used the chain and the biggest drill bit I could fit through the chain to lock the sprocket against the engine case (be sure to put a rag between the drill bit and the engine case to prevent damage). Then I used a four foot section of cheater pipe on my half inch breaker bar. I thought sure I busted the end of the shaft off when it finally snapped loose. I think Kawasaki hired the biggest Sumo wrestlers they could find to torque those sprocket nuts on.

I went on to Bike Bandit to look at a schematic to find that lock plate...there isn't one. Just a washer like what I have on the bike.
I am going to look for a good 4' cheater bar and sumo wrestler to take it off after I put some penetrating oil on it.

Thanks a bunch.

JJ

According to Kawasaki.com, the 1980 KZ750s use a special washer, not the regular lockwasher. It is part number 92200-1065 and it is "Active" which means you can still buy them from Kawasaki dealers. I suggest you use an impact wrench to loosen the nut; makes life MUCH easier. And if you have an old piece of drive chain you can use it as shown below to hold the sprocket. Just hitch the end around the swingarm pivot as shown. Here's the KZ750 diagram showing the washer:

There were two kinds of washers:

One had a little "tab" that hooked into the hole in the sprocket. The one shown in the picture above appears to be this type (?).

The other kind was a soft metal washer with ridges that fit the splines on the shaft. On that kind, you bend the edges over and flatten them against the side of the large nut.

I believe the first type were original and they were replaced by the second type because they were better and more reliable.

To break it loose, have somebody stand on the rear brake (leave the chain on) and use a breaker bar on the drive nut.