Steering Stem Oil Seal

there is what seems to be a washer under the oil seal, but don't see it on any z1 diagrams , they only show the cone\ race , & ruber seal ,, any ideas

For what it's worth, the 1976 KZ900 and many other models from then-onwards have the washer under the oil seal. My 1981 KZ650 has it.

We're seeing that too. None of the parts manuals or service bulletins we've looked at show it either.
Best guess is, it was included with the rubber seal as a stiff backing, to keep the rubber more or less in contact with the bottom edge of the steering neck tube to help keep out dirt.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

I was thinking it was either an oversight in the diagram drawing by Kawasaki, or maybe someone added it to support the seal.

Give that man a cigar ,,lol,, the diagrams 76 and up show the washer;;;lol;;; possibly the steering was serviced shortly after new with late model seal.