TOPIC:

I've purchased a replacement carb for my 81 KZ250C Single Cylinder off ?Bay and I had to change my throttle cable to this one:

shop.wemoto.com/pictures.dyn?u=1914446qqq25659

To fit the carb, but now the switchgear/handlebar end of the throttle cable, doesn't fit my handlebar controls.

I'm trying to track down the OEM part or part number that would fit this cable.

The underside of my current controls/throttle, has two holes and a plate that goes over the cable on one side, then secures on the switch gear on the other side.

The wemoto part, has a threaded elbo at the switchgear end, that simply screws into one hole on the handlebar controls.

As it stands, the bullet/nipple on the throttle end of my cable, won't fit through the hole in the bottom of the handle bar control mount.

First of all where the heck are you and the bike located? I'm guessing the UK. What bike did your replacement carb come from? Kaw sold a KZ200 over here for a couple of years but they were not real popular, that said your same basic engine was used both in dirt bikes as well as three wheelers so I doubt your problem is insurmountable. I just need some more info, I do kind of remember the mounting system you are talking about.

Thanks Gringo, yep, UK. - The replacement carb was sold as KZ250C 81. Unfortuantely, Kawasaki did such a mix of KZ and Z250's that it's a bit of a minefield.

I've got the carb on though and got a cable to fit, it's just getting some throttle gear that will fit the other end of the throttle cable now.

Sorry I don't have more than this but I'll take any hints or comments I can get.

Post edited by: uniquezfreak, at: 2008/01/17 17:32

Is the carb you have a CV type or a slide type? IIRC those were Keihin carbs no?

Okay after some thought and some research I think I've come up with a solution to your problem. You are going to need to get a different throttle cable though. If you get part#54012-1060 that should fix your problem. This is a cable from an LTD 250 which used a CV carb but also used the attaching system you currently have at your rh switch. The major problem you are going to have if you try to change out your current switch gear, is that your bike has a drum front brake and does not use a separate perch for the brake lever, it is built right into the switch. This is totally unique to the 250's. I was going to suggest trying a switch housing from a 305 but they used a disc brake in front so this will not work. The only issue you may run into, is that the LTD 250 used mini ape handlebars so you are probably going to have to get creative in how you route the cable because there will be some extra length. I checked with the local Kaw dealer and he tells me it is still a good part number the bad news is they cost $45.31, quite a bit of money for a cable. It is also possible that Motion-Pro could custom make the cable for you but you would have to check with them to be sure.

Edit: After doing some more checking I came up with another part # that may actually work better.....that is if you can find one part #54012-1032 fits a KL250 from 1983 and that uses the correct mounting system as well as a CV carb. This should be a shorter cable than the LTD cable. It is NLA from Kawasaki and the earlier number I gave you 54012-1060 is also NLA.

I did manage to track one down at www.johnnysvintagemotorcycle.com/

I spoke with Johnny and he has 2 of the 54012-1060 cables in stock for $45.00 each.

I don't know how helpful the Kaw dealers in the UK are but possibly they may have some of these cables laying around in their stock. At least now you know what to hunt for. Good luck.

Post edited by: The Gringo, at: 2008/01/18 11:32

Gringo, you are a god. Thank you for all your trouble and effort. Because of your reply, I've managed to do a search on the part number 54012-1060 and I located the following item:

cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem...=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=006

I know the picture is wrong, but the description says the picture isn't always of the part being sold. - As long as he sends me the right part number I should be good to go.

If not, then I'll get in touch with Johnny. (Please thank him for his time also when you next speak with him).

Long term, I'll track down the other part number (shorter cable) but at least this will get me on the road asap.

I've attached the image of what I'm hoping to get, which as your feedback confirms, looks perfect: (OK, the image was a little large, but I got it off www.buykawasaki.com/DefaultFrame.aspx?st.../VICHOOSEVEHICLE.ASP under k250 81 model).

Thanks again.

Post edited by: uniquezfreak, at: 2008/01/18 14:57

You're welcome. I'm glad you were able to locate one locally and avoid having to pay international shipping, looks like you scored one at a pretty decent price as well. I'm guessing this cable will be around 6" longer than what you need but longer is better than too short, just get creative in the routing and you should be ok. Figuring this out was a bit of a challenge because we never got your model of bike over here. You might also want to see if you can locate a pilot jet one size larger than stock, the 250's we got over here were extremely cold blooded and I'm thinking a larger pilot jet may be beneficial. I'm not for certain on that though since your bike was not subject to EPA regs it may be jetted just fine. Once you recieve the cable let me know how it all works out.