Direction of rear axle

Can someone please clarify for me the correct direction the rear axle should be on a 1981 KZ1000? I'm rebuilding with parts from two separate bikes, and on both of them the nut was on the right side. However the Kawasaki parts diagram shows the nut being on the left side. I know most people will automatically say to follow the parts diagram, but then why do both of these bikes have it backwards? Is there a benefit to having the nut on one side or the other? Does it even matter?

If you have an aftermarket header id put the nut on the right side to make it easier to remove the axle.

Hmm that could explain one of the bikes, which came with 4-to-1 pipes. However I'm taking it back to the original 4-to-2, so I'll have pipes on both sides. I went ahead and reassembled the wheel with the nut on the left, but still curious if there are any other reasons to justify keeping it on the right.

When I bought my KZ650-C1 new the axle nut came on the left side. However, I doubt that it matters which side it is on because the Kawasaki Service Manual shows it on the left or right side depending on the picture in the manual. I would assume the same is true for the KZ1000. Here are 4 images from one KZ650 Kawasaki Service Manual. Ed

RIGHT SIDE




LEFT SIDE

From the factory all KZs as well as the old H1 and H2 triples always come with the nut on the left side. Doesn't matter in use which way, but I always reassemble the way it came original, and that is left side for the nut.

I'll be damned I I never noticed that in the manual..... nut was on the right on mine and have always kept it there over the years.

I'm right handed. I like it on the right. It was that way new too.
Steve

I noticed when I was taking everything apart that pretty much all of the bolts which go through the frame (axles, motor mounts, that kind of stuff), always had the head on the right and the nut on the left... that's why the direction of the rear axle stood out as the oddball to me.

Thanks for all the answers. I'm guessing the direction of most of these bolts is more about looks than any specific need. Although I could see on the axles, if for some reason they were spun while going down the road, that would tighten the nuts rather than spin them off.