TOPIC:

Does anyone have an opinion as to where to obtain the best replacement engine side cover screw set for a '77 KZ-1000? I want to stay with the standard screw heads for originality and there are several different ones available. Thanks for any suggestions.

Rick H.

You might ask Z1Enterprises to see what they have. Below is a sample. Ed

www.z1enterprises.com/bolt-screw-set-eng...s-z1-kz900-1000.html

As far as I am aware you can buy the screws from Kawasaki. That's where I get them for my Z1's.

Check out the fiches at Partzilla.

www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motor...1-b-z1/engine-covers

hardrockminer wrote: As far as I am aware you can buy the screws from Kawasaki. That's where I get them for my Z1's.

Check out the fiches at Partzilla.

www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motor...1-b-z1/engine-covers

That's what I do. If Partzilla carries it (ie not "not available"), so does the closest Kawasaki dealer. Sometimes it's still cheaper to order from Partzilla including shipping costs than from the dealer.

The best way to keep the screw heads nice is to use JIS screwdrivers rather than Phillips. You can buy a good set of JIS screwdrivers from Z1 Enterprises.

When I replace screws I usually run a tap down the hole and then blow it out with some carb cleaner. This makes installing the new screw much easier.

The proper tools and chasing the threads in all the holes is good advice.

Z1E carries a nice selection of tools for these old bikes,.

www.z1enterprises.com/catalog/product/vi...-of-three-144-244-3/

Looks like the screws are still available from Kawasaki, so you can get the real deal. This is for the standard, though I bet the LTD is the same. I don't know which you have. It would be helpful to have that information in your signature line.

www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motor...vers-79-80-a3-a3a-a4

650ed wrote: You might ask Z1Enterprises to see what they have. Below is a sample. Ed

www.z1enterprises.com/bolt-screw-set-eng...s-z1-kz900-1000.html

WOW, that's CHEAP for all of those fasteners. It would cost quite a bit to buy all of those in OEM form. I wonder what the quality is like?

There is a company that sells Phillip's head screw kits, but I can't remember the name. Some time with Google should shake them out.

Well following the advice of some I checked the prices on Partzilla for a total of 43 screws that are needed. I am sure there are a few more that I missed in the parts break down. The Partzilla price is over $50.00. The Z1E price for their screw package including some bolts is round $15.00. Think I will try the Z1E package first and see how they are. Thanks to all...

As a side note to this, I was unaware of the JIS screw situation until I started thinking about getting an old Z1 or KZ-1000 and did some reading. All I ever used on these bikes before was a standard Phillips head screw driver. Ironically, when I bought my '77 KZ-1000 the previous owner told me the engine had NEVER been apart, yet every screw on the engine was buggered up from a standard Phillips head screw driver being used on them. A fin was broken off the cylinder block from being pried on I am sure and a distinct gouge mark from a straight bladed screw driver is present right under the 1015CC block casting. So much for truth and honesty when dealing with someone 2000 miles away.

Rick H.

If you can get JIS tools, then definitely go that way over Philips. JIS is designed not to cam-out at a specific torque, meaning you can get a lot more force on them before they jump and start stripping the fastener head. And they're also more correct for originality.

Personally I went with Socket-head Cap screws, because I find I can much more safely torque those to the correct values without stripping out the fastener. But either way is fine.

Rick H. wrote: Well following the advice of some I checked the prices on Partzilla for a total of 43 screws that are needed. I am sure there are a few more that I missed in the parts break down. The Partzilla price is over $50.00. The Z1E price for their screw package including some bolts is round $15.00. Think I will try the Z1E package first and see how they are. Thanks to all...

As a side note to this, I was unaware of the JIS screw situation until I started thinking about getting an old Z1 or KZ-1000 and did some reading. All I ever used on these bikes before was a standard Phillips head screw driver. Ironically, when I bought my '77 KZ-1000 the previous owner told me the engine had NEVER been apart, yet every screw on the engine was buggered up from a standard Phillips head screw driver being used on them. A fin was broken off the cylinder block from being pried on I am sure and a distinct gouge mark from a straight bladed screw driver is present right under the 1015CC block casting. So much for truth and honesty when dealing with someone 2000 miles away.

Rick H.

I'm sure Z1E screws will be fine. I think they are JIS. And now you can get the screws AND the JIS screwdrivers for less than the OEM price!