source for aftermarket parts / any suggestions?

Just wondering if any one can recomend a source other than Z1, I need a front master cylinder rerbuild kit for a dual disc 5/8 style (kz 650d/c/ etc) front end. Z1 is out of stock and apparently the president of Kawasaki Canada wants me to put his kid through college based on the price of the pieces they offer, aprox 80.00 canadian just for the piston not to mention the stopper, dust cover and new diaphram. Any experience with other aftermarket suppliers in the U.S. or Canada?...p.s. let me know if this should have gone in another forum or not..thanks..kzk

You need to be specific about the model and year of your bike. All KZ650C/D/ models do not take the same kit.

Take a look at the Kawasaki.com parts diagram for your specific model and year. Bring up the part and see if it shows "active."

Ma Kaw

If the part is active, the part is still available.
Next, go to the Ron Ayers site and plug in the part number to get the Ayers price.

Ayers

As an example; the repair assembly for the front master cylinder for the '77 KZ650C1 shows part number 43073-005 and it is active. The Ron Ayers price shows $40.34. For the KZ650 C2/C3 Ma Kaw shows part number 43020-1023 for the piston and shows it active. The Ron Ayers price shows $37.60. Please check these out to make sure I haven't erred.

BTW, I have bought many times from Ron Ayers and have always received excellent service. Ed

Thanks Ed, the microfiche I have shows all the pieces seperate and I know the one number for the piston supercedes and of course it doesn't show it altogether as a kit, just seperate pieces. I will check my numbers as you suggested and the try both sites. Kinda weird but the 650C I have has the same master cylinder as my 650D, nothing like what the manual or the fiche shows. Guess someone changed it at some point. thanks for the tips on the sites

kzkenny wrote:

Thanks Ed, the microfiche I have shows all the pieces seperate and I know the one number for the piston supercedes and of course it doesn't show it altogether as a kit, just seperate pieces. I will check my numbers as you suggested and the try both sites. Kinda weird but the 650C I have has the same master cylinder as my 650D, nothing like what the manual or the fiche shows. Guess someone changed it at some point. thanks for the tips on the sites

nothing like what the manual or the fiche shows

Pic?

Sometimes a good cleaning, using existing piston and cups, and perhaps minor bore dressing, will suffice and result in a serviceable master cylnder without leaks.

If cir-clip style, the cir-clip will likely be destroyed upon removal and need replacing. But some models have a reuseable plastic retainer instead of a cir-clip.

It's nice to replace the dustcover, but not critical.

Any reservoir parts or o-ring needed?

Is it a Kawasaki master cylinder? Some other brand? Aftermarket?

Good Luck!

Well after reading Patton's response I went and checked my master cyl. again. I checked the cups and couldn't see any visible damage so I cleaned the bore of the cylinder with a fairly agressive round type wire brush and put it all back together again ( yet again). Now the dust cap definitly has a rip but that shouldn't affect the fluid part (right?). It isn't totally bled through yet, I have been cracking it at the brake light switch and am still getting some air there but it is coming slowly but slowly. It is leaking slightly at the lever but will that stop as the rubber swells from being exposed to the fluid? Nothing to lose from trying I guess...worse comes to worse Ron Ayers shows the parts in stock that I need. Thanks for your help guys...kzk

one of the major suppliers to the motorcycle shop's in canada is called moto-van they won't sell direct they hasve a pretty complete selection of stuff for older bikes you will have to go thru a bike shop to get them. also there is an other outfit called importations thiabault they are major suppliers as well. down south a major importer of hard parts is k&l supply or also sudco.

Thanks Timebomb, I've dealt with motovan and Thibeault when I worked at a bike shop in the past. Part of my problem is that I live way out in the boonies( about 1 1/2 hrs) to town and to be honest the bike shops here are probably the worst as far as service to street riders that I have ever come across. I am shamed to say the Kawasaki shop was the worst of the bunch. I was made to feel as though the bike I rode was a dinasaur and they actually sent me to an automotive shop for my oil filter. That is why I am leaning towards doing more over the net and through mail order. thanks anyway for the info..kzk

I've had good luck with K&N

+1 on the K&N oil filters. I bought a bunch from Dennis Kirk, but others sell them too. My '77 KZ650C1 uses #KN-401. Look at KN-401 Vehicle Applications:

K&N

OOOPS! :blush:
I meant to type K&L for brake rebuild parts. DOH!

Thanks for the help guys, I just did a trip about 1200 kms and no leak at the master cylinder but the still feel a touch on the mushy side. I'll try to bleed agaian and see if that helps..