1981 KZ 1100

I have a 1981 KZ1100 and the speedo only goes to 85mph. Does anyone know of a bolt on speedo that I can use to replace the stock one.

Many years ago some companies made/sold an adapter that doubled the indicated readings on the 85 mph speedometer.

It went between the instrument and the end of the speedometer cable so the 85 miles an hour would be 170 mph.

If you can't locate one of these try asking at:
www.z1enterprises.com/reference/ZResto_home.aspx

If it still works ok then you shouldn't have to change it Cause Theres only one place you should go over 85 and thats the autobon. Illegel in USA to go over 80 in most places. only on some freeways. I didn't think it was safe to break the law, Quicker Death at higher speeds. Love life and respect it slow down and smell the flowers. Speed up and smell the asphault. FLAT SIDE DOWN Take Care.

I was asking myself if the gear that reduces the speedo reading from 150 to 85 is in the wheel or the speedo itself.

I have a couple of 160 speedos and i want to swap them out.

Roy

My speedo moves around a bit so instead of putting on a new speedometer I added a Tom Tom which suction cups perfectly on the Tachometer. I attatch it with a couple zip ties incase it falls off. The Tom Tom has a speedometer. They sell for $49 dollars re-furbished online. I put a cigarette lighter adapter under the seat and ran the cord under the tank. Comes in very helpful when riding around on country roads and you want to find your way home. Even in day light it is pretty easy to read. I wouldn't ride without it...Russ

Here is one for $69 but you can find them cheaper.
cgi.ebay.com/TomTom-ONE-3rd-ed-GPS-USA-M..._trksid=p3286.c0.m14

I agree 85mph is really plenty fast and I don't think another speedo will directly replace the KZ1100 part. As to the question of whether it's the drive or the speedo itself that makes the difference on other models, it's all in the speedo. Take off a 85mph speedo, and if a 140 or 160 Kawasaki part will mechanically bolt up, it will work. Really you have a built in speedometer that will read as high as you care to go. It's the tachometer. Make note of how many RPMs are indicated at lower speeds, and the speed will always progress at the same rate as the tach, so if you are going 70mph at 5000rpm, you know you are going 140 when you hit 10,000 or bump it up a bit to 12,500 you're going 175mph. That's probably all the faster these old bikes will ever go.:laugh: