Kick start lever question

I put what I thought was a KZ1000 kickstart on my Z1R.  The Z1R comes with an emergency lever under the seat, but it doesn’t have a pivot so you can’t fold it up and leave it on.  The level have came from ebay, so who knows what model it really came from.  I was getting some other parts powder coated, so I had it done in black.

Here is my question.  Is the lever supposed to stick out like this?  Does it do that on other KZ1000s?  





That's the resting position, but it does move in a bit more when you push it.  It’s not terrible when riding, but I can definitely feel it resting against my leg, and I’d be happier if it was closer to the carbs.  And the curve in the lever away from the motor doesn't really seem appropriate.

Did I end up with a lever from a different model?  Other than not really folding away, it fits on the engine fine and works fine.

Before I did all the work on the intake parts it would often stall and didn’t want to start with the electric start, but would usually start with a quick kick.  So it was pretty important to have the lever.  But now that it’s running really well I probably should just take it off.

It should fold in fairly tight to #4 carb.  

HRM is correct. That one looks a bit twisted. Here is mine.  (that's a live oak leaf sitting on the pivot).

I have an original kz1000 one kicking about you can have it if you want it?

wrote:

I put what I thought was a KZ1000 kickstart on my Z1R.  The Z1R comes with an emergency lever under the seat, but it doesn’t have a pivot so you can’t fold it up and leave it on.  The level have came from ebay, so who knows what model it really came from.  I was getting some other parts powder coated, so I had it done in black.

Here is my question.  Is the lever supposed to stick out like this?  Does it do that on other KZ1000s?  

That's the resting position, but it does move in a bit more when you push it.  It’s not terrible when riding, but I can definitely feel it resting against my leg, and I’d be happier if it was closer to the carbs.  And the curve in the lever away from the motor doesn't really seem appropriate.

Did I end up with a lever from a different model?  Other than not really folding away, it fits on the engine fine and works fine.

Before I did all the work on the intake parts it would often stall and didn’t want to start with the electric start, but would usually start with a quick kick.  So it was pretty important to have the lever.  But now that it’s running really well I probably should just take it off. 
Looks heavier than stock. Sure it's not from a twin? Mine is 40+ years old and hits the #4 carb. Planning on buying a new one from z1parts.net when I can. I'd take the offer posted if he still has it. Kick starter has saved my ass more times I can count in 40+ years. 
Steve
 

From my research it appears you have an early Kz900 lever. No proof other then what I read in a book by Stefan Oehl. I have a similar one on my ‘78  B3 1000. It sticks out about 2” to center line from the side of the carb body. I have never hit it or felt it while riding. 

 

Mine fits very snugly and doesn't have the slight bend that yours does. It's definitely the original one from my KZ1000A1  

wrote:

From my research it appears you have an early Kz900 lever. 

I have a similar one on my ‘78  B3 1000.

   

 




 

Mikaw, I don't see the early kz900 kink in mine, but your KZ1000 looks pretty much exactly like mine.  No way it could move far enough in to touch the carb body.

I have a second one, also from Ebay.  The shape and bend in the arm is pretty much the same, but the stop on the pivot is a bit different and it can rotate slightly more than the black one.  I put the chrome one on and it's just a bit closer, but still nowhere near touching the carb.  These photos are with me pushing it in as far as it will go.


 



I'm surprised by the way the arm bends away from the pivot/base, and then the pedal also is angled away.  I don't know why they would do that with the 1000, as the kick shaft if pretty far out already.

In the photo of BCScott's bike, that arm looks much straighter.  But it's hard to tell.  Here are some more pictures.

Mine. Z1b

 

The Kz900/ Kz1000 kickstarter get a bow to them from kicking over and over out of tune motors and from kicking over big bore and/or high compression motors. Don't think Kawasaki planned on many owners ever using their kickstarters. Over the years I have seen many kickstarters where the pivot arm was rusted in place from non-use!!!!! None of my Kz1000 motors ever had electric starters on them so I have always kickstarted them. Kickstarters that have been used a lot will show a nice gentle bend to the kickstart arm and/or the part you put your shoe on will not be perpendicular to the centerline of the bike. My motors always started in two or three kicks so I never really bent any kickstarter arms from repeated kickstarts!!!!!

My kickstarter only has 1 or 2 years of use on it. So it is about as straight as a brand new one!!!!!!
 

Notice there is no bend in the main kickstarter arm.
 

When the kickstarter is placed in the starting position, the piece you put your foot on to start motor should be perpendicular to the centerline of the bike.