- Posts: 7
- Thank you received: 1
1978 KZ650C2 petcock woes
- 2wheeljake
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
Sorry if this has been posted already - I searched but found solutions only for other bikes.
I have picked up a 1978 KZ650 custom. After cleaning the carbs and sorting out a few issues I discovered a leaky petcock. I am unable to find a rebuild kit or replacement part for this model. Any solutions?
I attached a picture of the bike just for fun.
Thanks
Jake
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- TwoCam
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 133
- Thank you received: 57
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Nessism
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
- Posts: 7526
- Thank you received: 2838
www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/...FUEL+TANK/parts.html
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Kray-Z
- Offline
- User
- I need more power Scotty....
- Posts: 583
- Thank you received: 107
[/strike] Applies only to the C1 model, sorry....
The C2 apparently uses Kawasaki's "born to fail" (IMHO) vacuum petcock...I'm not sure if it wouldn't be better to just replace it with a Pingel petcock and adapter...and never have a problem again.
-Scott
2-04 R1, 81 CSR1000, 81 LTD1000, 2-83 GPz1100, 3-79CBX, 81 CBX, 3-XS650, 84 Venture, +parts
Quote "speed costs money...how fast do you want to go?" (Which Z movie?)
Universal formula for how many motorcycles one should own = n + 1, where n is how many motorcycles you own right now....
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- 2wheeljake
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 7
- Thank you received: 1
I have a 2-bolt mounted model - and the fuel tap is no longer available according to Partzilla - but thanks for the link - I'm sure it will come in useful in the future.
Cheers
Jake
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- 2wheeljake
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 7
- Thank you received: 1
Thanks - I'll look into it.
Jake.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- 650ed
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 15344
- Thank you received: 2829
If it’s leaking through the fuel or vacuum lines it might be because the part marked #19 (Kawasaki part number 11009-1194) in the diagram below commonly fails. You may want to replace it and see if that solves the problem. If you search eBay using 11009-1194 as the search criteria you will find there are many of them available there.
If it is leaking where it attaches to the fuel tank it could be that a PO used metal instead of nylon washers marked #15 (Kawasaki part number 92022-183) or that the rubber O-ring marked #20 (Kawasaki part number 51039-010) is damaged. Those washers and O-rings are also readily available on eBay if you search by part number. Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Kray-Z
- Offline
- User
- I need more power Scotty....
- Posts: 583
- Thank you received: 107
It is a flat 1/2" thick piece of aluminum stock drilled and tapped to accept a cheap and yet high quality go-kart style 1/8" NPT inlet to 1/4" barbed outlet fuel shut off valve you can purchase from evil-bay for as little as $6 ea. For anything up to 1000 cc or 34 mm CV carbs, ot flows enough fuel to keep up with the engine. I use a hand cut 1/16" cork gasket to seal the plate to the tank, and some 6 x 20 mm bolts to mount the plate, with aluminum sealing washers. No leaks - no problems...cost for me was less than $10 per to buy / make. No reserve, but the bike pictured has a fuel gauge, and I'm always careful when out on the highway...
-Scott
2-04 R1, 81 CSR1000, 81 LTD1000, 2-83 GPz1100, 3-79CBX, 81 CBX, 3-XS650, 84 Venture, +parts
Quote "speed costs money...how fast do you want to go?" (Which Z movie?)
Universal formula for how many motorcycles one should own = n + 1, where n is how many motorcycles you own right now....
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- z1kzonly
- Offline
- User
- Sustaining Member
- Posts: 2892
- Thank you received: 542
It is real nice. Even the diaphragm rubber is still good.
Livin in "CheektaVegas, NY
Went thru 25 of these in 40 yrs.
I SOLD OUT! THE KAW BARN IS EMPTY.
More room for The Old Girl, Harley 75 FLH Electra Glide,
Old faithful! Points ign. Bendix Orig. carb.
Starts everytime!
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- RonKZ650
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 3703
- Thank you received: 240
321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- 650ed
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 15344
- Thank you received: 2829
RonKZ650 wrote: ........ I'll have to disagree on the vacuum petcock being junk, the manual one was junk for sure, the vacuum one works fine.
I won't comment on the vacuum petcock since I've never used one, but I have found the stock 1977 KZ650 manual petcock to be absolutely bullet proof. I've owned my KZ650-C1 since new (April, 1977) and my manual petcock has not had any problems in 40+ years and more than 60,000 miles. To me that indicates it's an excellent unit! I'm surprised you had problems with yours. Maybe there was something in the fuel that caused a problem? Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Kray-Z
- Offline
- User
- I need more power Scotty....
- Posts: 583
- Thank you received: 107
The Kawasaki vacuum type has nearly incinerated me and my bikes, garage , and house several times. I will not use them ever again. They would stay open with the engine stopped! I pull the fuel line off to get the tank lifted, and gas streaming out all over me and the hot engine and exhaust! Or slowly leaking out the carb overflows while the bike is parked on the side stand in my veranda, leaving a flammable creek running along the wall of my house. Or emptying an entire tank of fuel onto the shopping center parking lot when a float needle sticks open. I ordered new parts, rebuilt, tried different used ones,,,. I learned quick not to trust them. Sometimes they would shut off, sometimes they didn't. I have Hondas that had vacuum petcocks, and they didn't do that.
But I prefer a manual shut off valve for quick start up after the bike has been sitting anyway... (and yes, I know the Kawasaki ones have a Prime position).
-Scott
2-04 R1, 81 CSR1000, 81 LTD1000, 2-83 GPz1100, 3-79CBX, 81 CBX, 3-XS650, 84 Venture, +parts
Quote "speed costs money...how fast do you want to go?" (Which Z movie?)
Universal formula for how many motorcycles one should own = n + 1, where n is how many motorcycles you own right now....
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.