1976 kz400 petcock...the impossible part?

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01 May 2006 12:45 #44201 by gmokage
I'm building a bike and I'm stuck using a 76 petcock.The problem is that I can't find a replacement for the shot bowl gasket.

Any ideas on where to find one or alternatives would be great.

Thanks.

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01 May 2006 18:55 #44297 by hydrolazer
Replied by hydrolazer on topic 1976 kz400 petcock...the impossible part?
have you tried kz400.com?

\'79 kaw 1000 ltd

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01 May 2006 19:01 #44300 by Biquetoast
Replied by Biquetoast on topic 1976 kz400 petcock...the impossible part?
gmokage wrote:

I'm building a bike and I'm stuck using a 76 petcock.The problem is that I can't find a replacement for the shot bowl gasket.

Any ideas on where to find one or alternatives would be great.

Thanks.


I have bought one before - I can't remember if it was from eBay or BikeBandit.com, it's been a while...

I think I've seen them recently on eBay called "Petcock rebuild kit", though it's really only the gasket...

(1.) '75/'76 KZ400D - Commuter
(2.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(3.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(4.) '75 KZ400D - Sold
kz750twins.com

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01 May 2006 19:22 #44310 by indykaw77
Replied by indykaw77 on topic 1976 kz400 petcock...the impossible part?
Jeff @ z1 not have???????
If not.....maybe he can point ya in the right direction.

Post edited by: indykaw77, at: 2006/05/01 22:23

Kawasaki Motorcycles...because cars lean th wrong way!

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01 May 2006 21:43 #44352 by gmokage
Replied by gmokage on topic 1976 kz400 petcock...the impossible part?
I'm still digging around.

I didn't find anything off of kz400.com, and the web sites I have contacted thus far, including bikebandit, have the item as discontinued.

Thanks for the ideas so far, guys.

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02 May 2006 00:18 #44380 by KitNYC
Replied by KitNYC on topic 1976 kz400 petcock...the impossible part?
Bowl gasket? The one between the petcock switch & the fuel bowl?!?!? If that's the one you're talking about, you can replace it with a plain ol' nitrile o-ring. I was thinking a flat nitrile washer might work better, but the o-ring is holding up fine so far. Hardware store, plumbing section, buy 3 each of 3 different sizes just in case & walk out with change from your 5...

If you're talking about the gasket under the switch, AKA the rubber disk with 4 holes in it, you have 2 choices: make one, or call Z1. If you want to make it, you'll need some nitrile rubber & a good hole punch. If you don't want to make it, call Jeff at Z1 & ask if he has 'em in stock yet. He quoted me about $10 with a delay of a few days to get 'em from his supplier.

HTH,
-Kit

Post edited by: KitNYC, at: 2006/05/02 03:20

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02 May 2006 05:52 #44400 by Biquetoast
Replied by Biquetoast on topic 1976 kz400 petcock...the impossible part?
KitNYC wrote:

...you can replace it with a plain ol' nitrile o-ring. I was thinking a flat nitrile washer might work better, but the o-ring is holding up fine so far...

You know, I did the same thing when I first got my 400. It had some sort of a paper gasket in there when I got it, and was about as gas-tight as a coffee filter.
:huh:
Anyway, I tried the round o-ring first, and I couldn't get it to seal tight. As I tightened the bowl, it would flex out-of-round on me. Now in hindsight, I wonder if it was too big. Oh well, I ended up getting a flat one and it never leaked again...
B)

(1.) '75/'76 KZ400D - Commuter
(2.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(3.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(4.) '75 KZ400D - Sold
kz750twins.com

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02 May 2006 06:30 #44414 by rammy
Replied by rammy on topic 1976 kz400 petcock...the impossible part?
If you cant find the parts (o-rings or gaskets) replace the petcock.I had to replace mine because the aluminum was wore out from almost 30yrs of use and it only cost me $30 with adapter plate and about 30min.time.

The barn yard;77 Kz650B-1 Kaw(the fun one) & 89 classic hog.
Chicago area-south burbs

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02 May 2006 09:53 #44477 by Biquetoast
Replied by Biquetoast on topic 1976 kz400 petcock...the impossible part?
rammy wrote:

If you cant find the parts (o-rings or gaskets) replace the petcock.I had to replace mine because the aluminum was wore out from almost 30yrs of use and it only cost me $30 with adapter plate and about 30min.time.

You did this with an early 400? These have very rare shapes, I've not heard that an adapter exists...

(1.) '75/'76 KZ400D - Commuter
(2.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(3.) '78 KZ750B3 Twin - Commuter
(4.) '75 KZ400D - Sold
kz750twins.com

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02 May 2006 11:28 #44502 by gmokage
Replied by gmokage on topic 1976 kz400 petcock...the impossible part?
Biquetoast wrote:

rammy wrote:

If you cant find the parts (o-rings or gaskets) replace the petcock.I had to replace mine because the aluminum was wore out from almost 30yrs of use and it only cost me $30 with adapter plate and about 30min.time.

You did this with an early 400? These have very rare shapes, I've not heard that an adapter exists...


I may be building a rat-bike, but I'd gladly spend thirty bucks on a new petcock.

Do you remember where you got it?

I had the same problem with O-rings flexing under pressure in the bowl.But digging about the plumbing store couldn't hurt, either...

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02 May 2006 17:45 #44582 by KitNYC
Replied by KitNYC on topic 1976 kz400 petcock...the impossible part?
FWIW, I bought a large assortment of o-rings for $15 or so at Pep Boys when I realized the carb rebuild kits I had didn't come with 'em. I used a bunch of the small ones for the KZ400 carbs, I'm about to use a bunch more small ones on the Trident's carbs, & I used a big one for the KZ400 petcock. It may be worth noting that the one I ended up using in the petcock is smaller than the first one I tried. It may also be worth noting that the only reason I didn't go with a flat washer is that it doesn't leak with the o-ring in.

Cheers,
-Kit

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03 May 2006 08:23 #44774 by rammy
Replied by rammy on topic 1976 kz400 petcock...the impossible part?
How far apart are the mounting holes?? They do offer adapter plates with different mounting hole dimentions.So you can install a screw in type petcock.Let me know the dimentions and I will check with the guy I get all my parts.He has all kinds of odd ball shit in stock to bad he doesnt have an on line store.

The barn yard;77 Kz650B-1 Kaw(the fun one) & 89 classic hog.
Chicago area-south burbs

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