Can anyone kindly ID this valve cover that I found today?

Mikaw post=846194

Partzilla is wack on this as they claim the part number 11022-012-2h listed for my Kz900 is correct for Z1, Z1A, Z1A, A4 and A5 and Kz1000 through 1978.

I can't give you an answer, but I can help explain the issue with Partzilla.  It looks like all of the current parts diagrams use data published by Kawasaki, and none are reliable because they no longer show what parts were superseded by other part numbers.  As Dr. Gamma mentioned "Kawasaki superseded all the lighter Z1/Kz900 covers".  The new ones are functionally equivalent, which is all you get from the current diagrams. As far as Kawasaki is concerned they all use the same part, even if they came with different part numbers initially.

And Partzilla doesn't even show you the actual part you will get if you order it (for active parts).  The water pump on my ZRX1100 has been superseded by the one on the ZRX1200.  Partzilla still shows the 1100 number, but if I buy it they'll send me the 1200 part number.

Kawasaki used to offer access to their full true part number and diagram system, but they shut it down a while ago.  It would show you the true part number for each model and show which ones were superseded, with the new equivalent part number, and you could follow each part through several part number changes, and see where each of those parts were initially used.  It also showed which parts were NLA.  It was really helpful in general, but it was particularly useful for finding used parts (the true where-used) and for finding correct original parts.  I have not been able to find any publicly available parts database with true data.  I may be that Kawasaki doesn't even have that data now (in electronic format).  It seems like they simplified and consolidated their data for old models when they switched to the new system.  Why keep track of all of that extra data for 40 year old models?

DOHC, I have found this out the hard way. I ordered a bunch of hardware for my Kz900 project and received all superseded parts. They will fit and function but not the period correct stuff. I bought a restoration book from HardRockMiner that I use to find the correct stuff. For example Partzilla say xyz bolt is 112B0628, although correct fit and function it’s a superseded number, the period correct number is 110B0628. I’m looking for a print version of a parts manual for my Kz900 that was printed early ‘76. I bought an electronic version from KZ900.com but it’s been updated with superseded part numbers. Basically useless. 

With so much old dealer stock being put up on eBay now, a lot of NLA parts are still out there.  But it's really hard to figure out the correct part number in order to find just the right part.  It's very frustrating.

Yeah, John's book only dates Z1's to Z1B's.  This is one of those times when the book won't help you Matt.

Sometimes you have to go out and look at a few bikes and then decide what's correct.  I often look at engines when bikes sell on ebay.  I've seen quite a few '76 models with the smooth rounded valve cover ends.  I've never seen one with the half moon.

hardrockminer post=846217Yeah, John's book only dates Z1's to Z1B's.  This is one of those times when the book won't help you Matt.

Sometimes you have to go out and look at a few bikes and then decide what's correct.  I often look at engines when bikes sell on ebay.  I've seen quite a few '76 models with the smooth rounded valve cover ends.  I've never seen one with the half moon.


HRM took your advice and looked at the time capsule we were just introduced to, Hamsteaks recent jewel. I see that I have the correct cam cover. Its the same as the Z1A's and B's, multi ribs with smooth ends. The restoration book I bought is wrong again. Per that book i was looking for a cover with the ribs like a Kz1000 but smooths dome ends, like the Z1's. The restoration book I bought was wrong on the rear brake drum plate also. 

I hope that wasn't John's book!

This afternoon I pulled the head off my blue Z1B.  I had a small oil leak near the front of the center O ring.  Turns out the O ring had somehow slipped out of its track when I installed the head and was allowing oil to weep past it. 

During the removal I took some photos of my valve cover and center cam chain guide.  The guide is a bit taller than my KZ1000, so the cam cover has to be a bit taller in the center.

 

 

 

 

We were given a Kawasaki Parts Retail Price Guide in the late 1990's.  Dated 9/5/94.  It's been of use at swap meets & such when researching piles of NOS parts. It shows superseding PN#'s, dealer cost and SRP, but no date info.

Z1 valve cover is PN#. 11022-005-2H.  Superseded by 11022-012-2H.  SRP circa 1994 was $232.00, dealer cost $139.20 for both PN#'s.  No date info.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

slmjim+Z1BEBE post=846259We were given a Kawasaki Parts Retail Price Guide in the late 1990's.  Dated 9/5/94.  It's been of use at swap meets & such when researching piles of NOS parts. It shows superseding PN#'s, dealer cost and SRP, but no date info.

Z1 valve cover is PN#. 11022-005-2H.  Superseded by 11022-012-2H.  SRP circa 1994 was $232.00, dealer cost $139.20 for both PN#'s.  No date info.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE



What does your book call out for my 1976 KZ900 A4. It appears I need the Z1 cover. 11022-012-2H. If I’m seeing this correctly ALL 900’s used the same cover. I understand finish was different. Black with clear ends and then chrome, then to my all clear version. Then in ‘77 when they went to the 1000’s they changed. Less ribs and half moon? Per the book I have ( not John Brooks) I’ve been looking for a fewer ribs smooth ends, but that doesn’t seem to exist. I’ve been hunting snipe. 

Not all 900's had the same cover.  Only 1974 to 1976.  The '73 version was a bit different.  Check out the part number in John Brooke's book.

Mikaw post=846264

What does your book call out for my 1976 KZ900 A4. 

Mama Kaw's parts price manual doesn't break things down by date or model # at all, only when part #'s changed.  A dedicated KZ900 parts manual might show the correct design in the illustration.  Some pics in the KZ900 FSM might also show the valve cover in place.

Subtle differences in parts often weren't tracked at all by part # changes on the 900's.  John's book only covers the Z1's.

EDIT: We searched Mickey Hesse's book.  No images of a KZ900 or KZ900 LTD valve cover.  David Marsden's book has only one image of a valve cover from a KZ900 LTD.  Maybe this helps.


Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

 

A little bump here! I was just taking a picture about a disc. And I dug out my black powder coated valve cover from, YES, 12 yrs. ago! I did the whole engine cover set. I never realized back then, I used an early cover with the thin chain tower grove!! And if I ever get to assemble my stock engine. I have to use old style cam chain tower now. After I have HD towers, removable bolt towers.Oh well. I am not investing any more money to powder another valve cover at this time. Maybe the Liskas are usable with the narrow valve cover.I should pull all the parts out and clean them. I took the DOHC marking off of the dyno and points cover. made them smooth, just for something different, I always had to modify and alter stuff for myself. All wrapped up for 10-12 years. Can't remember, I was in my City house back then! 

Inside of the dimpled cover, tiny bit more room for the newer style cam chain towers. This one was chromed, needs to be acid dipped and stripped.
black covers on a gloss black engine with all stainless polished hardware, Always looks good. Plus I have some cast aluminum powder done also for some accents.