TOPIC:

What year and model is your motorcycle? Kawasaki has made many shaft drive bikes from 550cc to 1300cc. Actually, to 1,700cc if we count the modern v-twin bikes.

1981 kZ 1100-A

I might just try and figure out the shim process on my own. Looks like i might also need to buy some special tools, ugh I bet they’re expensive lol. Just feel like any replacement I order off of eBay could have the same issue.

Hmm, I guess I’ll think on it some more.

Thanks for all the help.

Any metal shavings in the case? I'd send the seller a message asking for actual shipping. If not, NO SALE.
Steve

In my case, no metal shavings that I recall.

I will ask about actual shipping. Good advice. Thank you.

My neighbor (a Dealer back then) told me a story about riding a floor model ST from Colorado to LA. He didn't make it back on the bike. At 70 about half way he started hearing some noise then the bike started jerking sending is Big Gulp he had in a holder all over him. He and his buddy stopped at a small town to check it out. The bike would roll forward then stop. It would roll backward and stop again. He drained the oil out of the final drive and lots of metal pieces fell out. He cleaned it out as best as he could using two cans of brake cleaner and a magnet then filled it up with gear oil. There were chunks of gear teeth in with the old oil. Being they were in the middle of BUM FK, he tried to make it to LA and he did. He said it wasn't a fun ride and expected it to lock up on him at any moment. They trailered it back to the shop. He got a warranty repair from KHI and sold the bike at a loss. Seems this was a issue with the early ones. KHI had lots of recalls at that time. Some they would pay for, most they would not.
I would do some research on that particular model. Might be poor tolerances at the factory and shimming might cure it or it might be getting ready to grenade on you.
Steve

ReichardtRides wrote: 1981 kZ 1100-A

I might just try and figure out the shim process on my own. Looks like i might also need to buy some special tools, ugh I bet they’re expensive lol. Just feel like any replacement I order off of eBay could have the same issue.

Hmm, I guess I’ll think on it some more.

Thanks for all the help.

Looks like the same part number for all KZ1100 and ZN1100, 1981 - 1985.

Looks like all the shims and collars, and most of the bearings are still available from Kawasaki. The factory service manual should have the correct procedure for measuring and adjusting the gear lash.

www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motor...a1/front-bevel-gears

Why the output gear assemblies get removed by ebay sellers is beyond me. Seems to me each gear would be worn-in uniquely inside each unit, and to mix them from others would yield poor results.
When interested in pursuing used parts like this, I will always ask the seller questions to eliminate concerns. If the seller won't stand behind the part, I usually just pass and find another.