fork studs

I am replacing the fork studs that hold the axel clamps with new ones, and I"d like to know if I am supposed to use locktite, or something else when installing ? also I ordered new nuts for the studs from Z1, and they are dommed,or acorn nuts, not like the original regular self locking 8 mm nuts, have they changed the style of nuts to keep from having any threads exposed to the weather ?

I'd use the Blue Loctite #242, as it's removable with tools but won't become almost permanet like the Red Loctites do. They need about 350 F to loosen up, way beyond safe temperatures for your other front fork parts.

The nuts for my 1982 GPz 1100 B2 axle clamp fasteners are the self locking, non acorn type. Keep in mind, the clamps will have an arrow indicating front, and the rear will have no gap, but the front will, so don't overtighten the clamps, are either the studs will break(usually) or a axle clamp will break.

10-4, on the locktite,....but you got it backwords on the gap,...acording to the service manual the gap is suppoed to be at the rear of the clamp, you tighten the front nuts first..then the rear...Pete.

Yep, you're right, I forgot the tightening sequence.

I would NOT use acorn nuts; I would use the normal lock nuts; they are still available from Kawasaki. AND use a torque wrench to set the correct torque and you won't need to be replacing studs. Ed

Ed, thats what I thought when I recieved them & they were acorns, so I googled the part #92019-013 & they were acorn nuts,..so I figured it was a modern replacment,so I guess I"ll have to wait till tommorow & call Z1 & find out whats going on...cause I feel like you...would"nt want the front wheel comming off while doing a wheelie, or shifting hard, or going over some railroad tracks...Pete

Very interesting! I didn’t know which of your bikes you are working on, but based on the part number you quoted I now assume it’s your 1980 1000-LTD. Looking at the 1980 1000-LTD Kawasaki.com parts diagrams, it lists part number 92019-013 “NUT, CAP AND LOCK,8MM” for the axle clamps. This implies (at least I think it does) that the nuts are acorn (cap) and locking. If this is true I guess they’re fine. When I clicked on the yellow question mark for this part number it shows this same nut is used on a whole list of KZ models including all the KZ650 bikes.

Having an inquiring mind, I also looked up the parts diagrams for the 1978 KZ650-B2. For the axle clamp nuts it shows part number 92017-013 “NUT,LOCK,8MM.” These are not acorn (cap) type but are locking. This is the type that came on my KZ650. When I clicked on the on the yellow question mark for this part number it shows this same nut is used on a whole list of KZ models including the 1980 KZ 1000-LTD.

So, if Kawasaki.com can be believed (maybe / maybe not) the two different nut types are interchangeable? Ed

Ed, thats what maybe the case, but before I install them, I:d like to find out what Z1 says, because to this day, all the bikes I ever owned, all had the self locking nuts,flat & lock washers...Pete

I have never seen acorn nuts on the axle clamps before either. Ed