Need advice replacing gauge cluster on 83 KZ750f1
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Need advice replacing gauge cluster on 83 KZ750f1
12 Mar 2014 21:08 - 12 Mar 2014 21:42
No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationGot into my first accident last weekend 
Insurance company totaled it, but I bought it back and will be fixing it. mechanic says forks are good (after I rear ended a car? should I get a second opinion?), and the only damage that MUST be repaired are the headlights and gauges. I was looking at replacing the gauge cluster with this on ebay , but it's from a belt drive not a shaft drive, can I still use it?

Insurance company totaled it, but I bought it back and will be fixing it. mechanic says forks are good (after I rear ended a car? should I get a second opinion?), and the only damage that MUST be repaired are the headlights and gauges. I was looking at replacing the gauge cluster with this on ebay , but it's from a belt drive not a shaft drive, can I still use it?
1983 KZ750 ltd f1 in San Francisco
Last edit: 12 Mar 2014 21:42 by JohnB.
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- Patton
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Re: Need advice replacing gauge cluster on 83 KZ750f1
13 Mar 2014 03:09 - 13 Mar 2014 03:09
Lots of good info on kawasaki.com, including parts diagrams, part names, part numbers, models sharing same part, availability, etc. Here's a link for help with navigating the site and finding information.
www.kzrider.com/forum/13-bike-related/37...imitstart=0&start=20
Same part number will likely fit.
However, a different part number doesn't necessarily mean the part won't fit. Because, for example, an otherwise identical part with a different color will have a different part number.
Good Fortune!
www.kzrider.com/forum/13-bike-related/37...imitstart=0&start=20
Same part number will likely fit.
However, a different part number doesn't necessarily mean the part won't fit. Because, for example, an otherwise identical part with a different color will have a different part number.
Good Fortune!

1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
KZ900 LTD
Last edit: 13 Mar 2014 03:09 by Patton.
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Re: Need advice replacing gauge cluster on 83 KZ750f1
13 Mar 2014 03:22 - 13 Mar 2014 03:24JohnB wrote: . . . mechanic says forks are good (after I rear ended a car? should I get a second opinion?) , . . .
Regarding the forks, it's possible that the impact might have been absorbed by the designed compression action of the front end without damaging related parts other than cosmetically.
Depends on force of impact. And whether the tubes remain straight, and the slide action is still smooth, and the triple tree isn't bent, etc.
Was the front wheel damaged?
Good Fortune!

1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
KZ900 LTD
Last edit: 13 Mar 2014 03:24 by Patton.
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- JohnB
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Re: Need advice replacing gauge cluster on 83 KZ750f1
13 Mar 2014 08:04
Thanks Patton!
Triple tree looks okay, and tire/rim/whole wheel is just fine. I think I only made contact around 10mph, so I guess the forks did okay. I appreciate the help, I'll browse Kawasaki for the part numbers.
Triple tree looks okay, and tire/rim/whole wheel is just fine. I think I only made contact around 10mph, so I guess the forks did okay. I appreciate the help, I'll browse Kawasaki for the part numbers.
1983 KZ750 ltd f1 in San Francisco
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Re: Need advice replacing gauge cluster on 83 KZ750f1
13 Mar 2014 08:39 - 13 Mar 2014 08:47
I think the 750-F1 meter assy is similar to the KZ550 Shaft models (Ltd & Spectres).
As for the forks, I would disassemble them & roll the upper tubes on a glass table to see how straight they are. Alternatively, you could loosen the pinch bolts (Fr wheel off garage floor) & spin the upper tubes to see if they are bent.
Also, you might want to check the upper triple as well - place it flat on a glass table & press down on it to see if it rocks. Mine rocked quite a bit, but the replacement only a tad... my front end was cockeyed, hence the check.
As for the forks, I would disassemble them & roll the upper tubes on a glass table to see how straight they are. Alternatively, you could loosen the pinch bolts (Fr wheel off garage floor) & spin the upper tubes to see if they are bent.
Also, you might want to check the upper triple as well - place it flat on a glass table & press down on it to see if it rocks. Mine rocked quite a bit, but the replacement only a tad... my front end was cockeyed, hence the check.
Last edit: 13 Mar 2014 08:47 by martin_csr.
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Re: Need advice replacing gauge cluster on 83 KZ750f1
13 Mar 2014 10:07
Thanks Martin! I was having a hell of a time finding an LTD shaft model gauge cluster, but then I searched spectre and found several options that looked identical to the parts diagram on Kawasaki (thanks again Patton!).
I'll check the forks via the suggestions. Other than that, I just need to find a replacement headlamp, re-register it (with my brand new salvage title!) and I'll be back on the road. I see now why having a "spare" bike is a great idea. I miss the road
I'll check the forks via the suggestions. Other than that, I just need to find a replacement headlamp, re-register it (with my brand new salvage title!) and I'll be back on the road. I see now why having a "spare" bike is a great idea. I miss the road

1983 KZ750 ltd f1 in San Francisco
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Re: Need advice replacing gauge cluster on 83 KZ750f1
13 Mar 2014 11:12 - 13 Mar 2014 13:45
The ebay gauge cluster is advertised as off a KZ750K belt drive which was a twin cylinder bike. That being the case then the tach would be cable driven off the camshaft. By 83 the 750 4 cylinder bikes were electronic tach ....so..... I dont think the ebay gauge cluster will work for you.

1980 kz750E1, Delkevic exhaust
Last edit: 13 Mar 2014 13:45 by JR.
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Re: Need advice replacing gauge cluster on 83 KZ750f1
14 Mar 2014 10:26
No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationI'm having some trouble finding a headlight replacement. I need a whole new assembly (going to try and bend the mounts back and reuse them). The Kawasaki site says the following models use the same headlamp:
KZ1100-L1 (LTD Shaft) (1983)
KZ550-F2 (LTD Shaft) (1984)
KZ550-M1 (LTD Shaft) (1983)
KZ750-F1 (LTD Shaft) (1983)
KZ750-H4 (LTD) (1983)
KZ750-K1 (LTD Belt) (1983)
KZ750-K2 (CANADA ONLY) (1984)
But I can't find any complete assemblies from those models on ebay. I don't care to return the bike to complete stock, can I use a headlight assembly from another KZ model with similar mounting points. for example:
KZ1100-L1 (LTD Shaft) (1983)
KZ550-F2 (LTD Shaft) (1984)
KZ550-M1 (LTD Shaft) (1983)
KZ750-F1 (LTD Shaft) (1983)
KZ750-H4 (LTD) (1983)
KZ750-K1 (LTD Belt) (1983)
KZ750-K2 (CANADA ONLY) (1984)
But I can't find any complete assemblies from those models on ebay. I don't care to return the bike to complete stock, can I use a headlight assembly from another KZ model with similar mounting points. for example:
1983 KZ750 ltd f1 in San Francisco
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- Patton
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Re: Need advice replacing gauge cluster on 83 KZ750f1
14 Mar 2014 10:35
Should be able to use any headlight that's capable of being bolted into position, so long as there's a rubber grommet in the backside of the headlight shell with a hole large enough to pass the wires through into the inside of the shell.
But would suggest giving ebay a little longer to list an exact match for the stock shell.
Good Fortune!
But would suggest giving ebay a little longer to list an exact match for the stock shell.
Good Fortune!

1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
KZ900 LTD
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Re: Need advice replacing gauge cluster on 83 KZ750f1
14 Mar 2014 10:39
No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationHere's one of several ebay listings under "KZ750 headlight assembly."
Good Fortune!
Good Fortune!

1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
KZ900 LTD
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- fastidiots
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Re: Need advice replacing gauge cluster on 83 KZ750f1
14 Mar 2014 11:07
Found this place after I wrecked my old honda. Seem to have really good parts availability and great service, although i ended up trading off the wrecked bike rather than fixing it, so I didn't accually buy from them.
At least they are worth emailing and checking for parts before commiting to the bay.
www.bikeboneyard.com/
They had everything north of the head for my old honda for $375 including shipping.
At least they are worth emailing and checking for parts before commiting to the bay.
www.bikeboneyard.com/
They had everything north of the head for my old honda for $375 including shipping.
82 KZ1000 J
76 KZ750 B1
76 KZ750 B1
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Re: Need advice replacing gauge cluster on 83 KZ750f1
14 Mar 2014 15:33
Here's more places to look:
Motorcycle Salvage Companies
www.cycle-salvage.com
www.motorcycle-recycle-center.com/
www.newrivercyclesalvage.com/index.html
www.bornagainbikes.net/
www.motolane.com/
www.williescycle.com/
Motorcycle Salvage Companies
www.cycle-salvage.com
www.motorcycle-recycle-center.com/
www.newrivercyclesalvage.com/index.html
www.bornagainbikes.net/
www.motolane.com/
www.williescycle.com/
1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)
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