Horn is set back about 2" from the exit (rear) of the oil cooler so you cannot see it.

Gages ordered :

www.z1parts.net/product/kawasaki-kz900-k...hometer-assembly-mph

Horn installed and working.

As far as I know the very early ones were bullet proof, there were rumours of camshaft issues but my brother (he owned one) never experienced any problems.
You are buying an old bike so check the usual -
Compressions, rust in the fuel tank, anything to do with hydraulics (brakes & clutch ensure fluids were changed regular). swingarm bearings (hard to see but grab the swingarm and push from side to side), bounce the shocks, they do have anti dive on forks.
Check if engine is sludged from short runs, camchain / tensioners were another weak point, if in good condition there should be no rattles. They claim the chain tensioner should not be pulled apart but we always did so the tensioner was still original at over 200K kms.
If its high millage the carby diaghrams can need checking ( the can be costly to replace),
If setup correctly this bike is not only a weapon but also a good tourer, they handle really well.
ENJOY

Another view:

This is before I finished, so never mind all the loose wires. I figure if you are like I am and your trying to figure out a good way to mount the tail light and blinkers, you are probably looking at hundreds of KZ photo's. Hope this idea helps you if that is the case.

Here is the final product:

Well the brake light is working.. I don't have a clue as to what was wrong, but I works on both the front and rear stop switch. So I made the final refinements to the rear tail light bracket, and this is what I came up with.

I found an old bracket in my scrap pile, cut it in half and added another hole for support (the black brackets) to hold on to the signal lights. They now hang just below the tail-section.

Drilled all the mounting holes one at a time, then test fit everything. Took it all apart again, and added the wiring routing holes, then de-burred the whole thing. Took all day. It will be another month before I spend an entire Saturday working on the KZ..So how do these projects end up taking 10 years?

On to the head light. Anyone have a suggestion for the headlight brackets? As a last resort I will go to the Streetfighter stamped steel ones that wrap around the forks, but only as a last resort.

The bracket mounts to the same two holes which are in the underside of the tail section, they thread directly inot the frame.

Good luck with your mags Cyclhed,I think they look a lot better than the spokes. My bike came with the mags when I got it. I wasnt sure if it was really a CSR or an LTD..

Spdygon, youre right about the 180 in the swingarm .I know the GS1100 was made for a 140 but I reckon I might be able to fit a 160 into it without too much hassle.

So the search is on for a rear wheel that'll take a 17x160 tire. Im looking for something that'll match with the 3 spoke front ('95 ZX9R) . So far Ive come up with the 650 Bandit, the FZR 600R(94/95) and the ZX6R(95/96).
If anybody has any other ideas,please let me know. Im stalled until I can get this sorted.


(Something that takes a 20mm axle would be good)

I built a set of rear-sets that mount directly to the KZ studs. I used 1/2 inch aluminum plate. the are not pretty (yet). but will be satisfactory



. There is some stuff about them on my page:

www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/274097...d?limit=20&start=480

The tail light:
Made an aluminum mounting bracket for starters. I will get the plate mounts on it, then pull it and whittle it down to lighten it up. For now I am pre-fitting everything.

This is an LED taillight for a Ducati Monster S4R.

It is styled perfectly to fit under the tail section of the KZ. ... .... .... BUT I cannot get the brake light part of it to light up. Grrrrrrrrrrrr... Wiring sucks.

I have the identical taillight on my Ducati, and already know what wire goes where. I will keep fooling with it, but it looks like the brake light part may not be functioning. I'm bettin' Lockhart will not exchange it as it is an electrical part.

Anyway this is what it looks like on taillight mode, they are very bright and have the turn signals built in.

Ok Leon I hadn't realized that, I suppose I could make a bushing that can be put inside the swingarm much like the crush tube that comes in the Gsxr swingarm. That would have to be just the right length to prevent binding yet still hold the swing arm snug between the frame. Oh man I have more work to do haha.