speedo cable doesn't fit, correct part number

So I recently purchased a third party speedo cable from my local dealer and the thread for the cable is a bit too large to fit the threads on the speedo gear box. its just slides right over the threads instead of twisting on.
I've triple checked the part numbers and they seem to be correct. Could i have a Speedo gear box from another year kz on mine? I'm confused as to why this wont thread properly. Thanks!

www.parts-unlimited.com/products/?produc...6&partNumber=K289013

kawasaki part number 54001-048
third party replacement part number k28-9013

That is the wrong cable for your bike. Take a look at the Dennis Kirk list of bikes that cable fits (see link below and click on "Fitment"). Notice the list does not include the KZ400. Ed

www.denniskirk.com/speedometer-cable.pc9013.prd/C9013.sku

Thanks 650ed
just ask and ed has the know how to keep these old bikes going! .........

thanks again ed

Weird, the parts unlimited website even say's the part is correct in the link I included in the original post.

Any suggestions on the correct part number? Seems to me the dennis kirk website doesn't have a speedometer cable for that bike at all.

Bike Bandit.com all on back order

Mr 650ed you let me down buddy
no hard feelings but this one is a strange one , things dont look good!

CafeKid wrote: So I recently purchased a third party speedo cable from my local dealer and the thread for the cable is a bit too large to fit the threads on the speedo gear box. its just slides right over the threads instead of twisting on.
I've triple checked the part numbers and they seem to be correct. Could i have a Speedo gear box from another year kz on mine? I'm confused as to why this wont thread properly. Thanks!
www.parts-unlimited.com/products/?produc...6&partNumber=K289013
kawasaki part number 54001-048
third party replacement part number k28-9013

kawasaki.com shows:
54001-048 for 1979 KZ400-B2
54001-1024 for 1979 KZ400-H1

Z1E lists different speedo cables for 1979 KZ400-B2 and 1979 KZ400-H1:

KZ400-B2
www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?i...KZ400&item=MP03-0010

KZ400-H1
www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?i...N1500&item=MP03-0017

Good Fortune!

CafeKid wrote: So I recently purchased a third party speedo cable from my local dealer and the thread for the cable is a bit too large to fit the threads on the speedo gear box. its just slides right over the threads instead of twisting on.
I've triple checked the part numbers and they seem to be correct. Could i have a Speedo gear box from another year kz on mine? I'm confused as to why this wont thread properly. Thanks!
.....

Can you post a photo of your speedo drive? Does the cable fit the speedometer?
If you don't have a pic, eebbaayy is handy for stuff like this --- check to see if other KZ400 drive units look like yours.

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationNo eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationNo eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationNo eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationLet's start by making sure you know which model motorcycle you have.

You say it's a 1979 KZ400. OK, but is it a KZ400-B2 or a KZ400-H1? According to Kawasaki.com they use different cables (see lists below). The B2 uses Kawasaki part number 54001-048; theH1 uses Kawasaki part number 54001-1024.

Apparently Parts Unlimited is trying to sell a "universal" cable that fits many totally different motorcycle models. I am not surprised that it doesn't work. I never buy universal crap because it rarely works as well as parts that are made for a specific model.

Assuming your motorcycle is one of the models shown in the Kawasaki.com lists, why not simply buy the appropriate genuine Kawasaki cable that was made for your bike? Kawasaki makes high quality products, better than most aftermarket places. Kawasaki no longer makes those particular cables, but they can be easily found on eBay. Just plug in the appropriate part number and search. Here's one example of each. (P21 - I hope I'm back in good standing ) Ed

54001-048



54001-1024

CafeKid wrote: ... parts unlimited website even say's the part is correct in the link I included in the original post.
Any suggestions on the correct part number? Seems to me the dennis kirk website doesn't have a speedometer cable for that bike at all.

While not guaranteed 100% correct in every instance, would rely primarily on the info shown in kawasaki.com as a parent source.

The info on kawasaki.com includes parts diagrams, part names, part numbers, models sharing same part, availability, etc.
Here's a link for help with navigating kawasaki.com and finding information.
www.kzrider.com/forum/13-bike-related/37...imitstart=0&start=20


www.z1enterprises.com is another helpful source to determine and differentiate various model designations within a particular year and decode the alphabet soup distinguishing same-year same-displacement sister models,

Here's a screen-shot from Z1E pertinent to the "1979 KZ400" model at hand.




www.zedder.com is another helpful source, but doesn't always include every model.
For eample, here's zedder's list of KZ400 models (showing B2, but not H1):




Good Fortune!

yup its the '79 kz400 B2 model

Martin_csr it fits the speedo but doesn't fit the gear housing on the front hub.

Per kawasaki.com:
41078-1004 GEAR BOX ASSY 1979 KZ400-B2
41078-1005 GEAR BOX ASSY, METER 1979 KZ400-H1

These ebay pics might help identify the unit at hand.



Good Fortune!