Clutch & cable problems for a '82 KZ 550 A3

I picked up my first motorcycle last week, 1982 Kawasaki KZ 550 A3.
I drove it home and before I made it home the clutch cable snapped.
I garaged it at my friends and bought the new cable.

The clutch cable I bought was a Motion Pro Black Vinyl OE Clutch Cable 03-006. ( Amazon Link ) It has the 3 adjustment points and looked similar to the old cable.

The cable I bought was too long.
Any suggestions on which shorter clutch cable to buy?

(pics of my handlebars)

I found something alarming.
What I think is called the Release Clutch had been warped.
The 3 slots that hold the bearings in had lost their groove.
I think this is why I had such a tough time adjusting the cable. (Pics below)
It's worrying too, because so far I can't find another replacement part.

Any ideas on how the release clutch could have been damaged?
My thought are that it all happened when the clutch cable snapped.

That's my sad situation right now. I'm motivated to fix this all and get it running.

Get a clutch release off of Ebay. KZ550 or GpZ 550. check the part number. Probably fits a lot of others. Check your clutch pushrod and ball,too. There could also be an issue with the clutch pressure plate, but check the easy stuff first.

TheDude wrote: I found something alarming.
What I think is called the Release Clutch had been warped.
The 3 slots that hold the bearings in had lost their groove.
I think this is why I had such a tough time adjusting the cable. (Pics below)
It's worrying too, because so far I can't find another replacement part.

...Any ideas on how the release clutch could have been damaged?
My thought are that it all happened when the clutch cable snapped....

That is how they are supposed to look. The balls rise out of their pockets by rolling up the ramps on one side. Without the ramps, the clutch lever would be very hard to pull, initially.

In my signature is a corrected method of adjustment for the clutch, with a description of the adjuster.

Your "A" model is usually called a "standard". It can share cables with the "D" modle Gpz, and maybe the other Gpz's. The "Ltd" models ("C", "M", and "F") all use longer cables.
But even if you have an "A" model cable, your's may be too long because that is not the standard handlebar. Motion Pro can custom make the cable to whatever length you want. Or you can try to re-route the cabe to make up for the extra slack.

Also, download all of the manuals in my signature. There are quite a few, and get ready to start reading.

BTW, your bike looks to be in real nice condition. It's not all rusty. That clutch adjuster usually gets rusty, even with grease on it, so your bike may have been kept indoors for most of its life, or maybe you live in a dry area?

Thanks Loudhvx!
I almost bought a new release clutch for $40 last night.
I see how that works.

Also, appreciate the resources.
I'm going to have to search for some cables, and when I find one that works I'm going to buy 2-3.
Is there a specific brand you use for clutch cables?
Motion pro is the one I found first, then there is a Volar cable (Link)

ps, thanks the bike is real clean. It's sad that I had this come up so soon, but it's made me appreciate the bike more and eager to ride it again.

Anyone recommend any specific clutch cable to buy for the type of bike I have (custom short handlebars)?

Lube that clutch release assembly up with some grease so all works smoothly.

I bought 2 Motion Pro cables for my KZ1000 off of Ebay. My bike has short Super Bike bars on it and uses the shorter cable.

Your bike has the same cable as mine I can get that number for you when I get home after 5:00 pm today.

Appreciate it sbc1320.

The two I bought off of Ebay were Motion Pro 03-0030

Ok, found them. Thank you.

Should I be alarmed when it says:

This item fits the following applications:
1984 Kawasaki KZ700A
1983 Kawasaki KZ750L

TheDude wrote: Ok, found them. Thank you.

Should I be alarmed when it says:

This item fits the following applications:
1984 Kawasaki KZ700A
1983 Kawasaki KZ750L

No as your original number fits the 900 and 1000. The reason they say that is because of the handlebars and in your case and mine this is the cable that fits shorter and much better. Your bars are even a shorter in height than mine, but this cable will fit the engine end for sure.

I hope they fit.
I'll update this thread when I get them and install them.

What did you mean by this:

No as your original number fits the 900 and 1000.