PSA re: Left side knocking noise

Hey fellow KZ riders, just wanted to make a PSA for y'all. I've read a handful of threads re: a knocking noise coming from the left side of the bike. I know the problem has been pointed out by others, but I want to provide additional visual confirmation in case some other poor sap is trying to isolate and diagnose a similar noise. Attached here are photos of the starter clutch, with one of the bolts sheared clean off. Furthermore, the other 2 bolts were finger-loose and the threads are mildly gacked. Needless to say, if you hear a knocking,
pinging noise that seems to come from the left side of your KZ, pull your starter clutch apart and look it over.

It looks like some one has over tighten the screw.
If i looking closer on the screw heads, it looks like someone hit it with the hammer to loosen it before your disaster.
Use only new screws in high grade quality like 10.9 or 12.9

That's common on the starter clutches.
Steve

SWest wrote: That's common on the starter clutches.
Steve

Yeah, that's what I've read. I just wanted to show what happens if something like that goes unaddressed. I rode the bike once since I bought it, knowing there was something wrong with the starter clutch. It helps to have pictures to know what parts look like as well as what happens when things break

I do have a question: where would I get a high-grade replacement bolt? None of the parts outlets I've found show what grade their bolts are.

I appreciate the pics and added info. Thanks partner.

I think they are grade 7 Japanese standard. The HDWR store should have M8 8.5 Allens that size. I'm going to take another look at mine.
Steve

The auto parts store might have high grade steel bolts. grade markings on metric bolt heads = 10.9 or 12.9 ... bolt depot grades

just an example. not sure what size you need.
autozone --- Hillman M10 - 1.25 --- 10.9

Update on bolts: starter clutch Allen socket bolts from Partzilla are 10.9 in case anyone was wondering.

Some metric screw specs (EN-ISO 898-1 / EN 20898-2)
tensile strength: 8.8 = 8 (first number) x 100 = 800 Nm
yield strength 8.8 = 8 (first number) x 8 (second number) x 10 = 640 Nm
tensile strength: 12.9 = 12 (first number) x 100 = 1200 Nm
yield strength: 12.9 = 12 (first number) x 9 (second number) x 10 = 1080 Nm

Michael