TOPIC:

Hi all,

I'm new to KZs and just got a KZ1000P in wonderful condition. I find the handlebar switches a bit buggering tho, to have a whole range of switches that don't do anything (any longer) as well as not being able to self-cancel my blinkers.

My last project was a '76 Yam XS500C which I'd bought new handlebar switches for - but never installed. So I now intend to install them on the KZ this weekend, so I can go back to riding without having to glance down nervously to make sure I've done what I was hoping to do.. no more fumbling to manually cancel the auto cancelling signals.

Right so here's what I've got on the bike, and on my desk:



My question is on what KZ if any did they use these switches, and if any between '81-'02? If not, anywhere to find the wire diagram for the KZ with these switches?

It would make the whole project a lot easier.

Thanks fellas.

Well I finally found the right diagrams, now I just gotta figure out the exact method to tie in the new switches to the old harness, and then go about doing it. Should be done by Sunday morning.


What amazes me is that the metal cased switches I got are just as well made as the Sparx switches I got for my '73 Triumph, and were $30 cheeper not to mention the savings on not having to get them from England... I'm telling ya, the next time I wire up an old Brit bike with updated switch gear I'm going to use these Jap switches. The value of them is mind numbing, I can see why so many have done it before...

granted I'll have to wait till I get a Brit bike that has either an electric leg, or turnsignals to actually do it.. but time will sort that.

Those are pretty nice looking switches where did you pick them up from and what do they cost? Looks like the only thing you are going to lose is the 4 way flasher function. Also I'm curious if the throttle side switch is going to work ok with your stock cable and twist grip tube. If everything works out for you, you can probably list the old ones on ebay and recoup most of your money.

The Gringo wrote:

Those are pretty nice looking switches where did you pick them up from and what do they cost? Looks like the only thing you are going to lose is the 4 way flasher function. Also I'm curious if the throttle side switch is going to work ok with your stock cable and twist grip tube. If everything works out for you, you can probably list the old ones on ebay and recoup most of your money.

They are very nice. I am quite pleased with the quality. You can find them at www.mikesxs.net under the Electrical section. They run $46 each for the style I got, you can get them in Chrome for $56 each.

It had not until this moment occured to me that the Throttle may be different. You are quite correct, I cannot remember if its a single cable or a double, nor if it enters from the front or the rear. Depending on that I can get a throttle body that will suite these switches for an additional $10, or simply steal the one off the XS500C.

Right after I finish typing this, I'm going to run out to the garage and have a look.

Edit:

You're quite right. It would take another $40 in parts, I can't know until I take the tank off. $30 for a 1:2 throttle cable, and $10 for a single throttle body.

I feel quite stupid for having overlooked that, I should have checked. Thanks for pointing it out, better now than after re-wiring them.

Glad I could alert you to a possible snag. Since you have a police bike was wondering if you could check something for me? I need to know the correct part number for the opening throttle cable. It would be the front cable on your bike and the number should be printed on the cable sheathing in gray print near where it enters into the upper adjuster. It should be 12-XXXX the X's being the number I need to figure out. Kawasaki shows 2 cables on their parts diagram but they don't tell you which is the opening cable and which is the closing cable.

The lettering is too horribly faded to read. I'm sorry I can't help.

do these new gauges have a horn button on the left control? cant tell from the picture. Im looking to replace the stock ones for my 440.

They do indeed have the horn button on the lower left hand switch. They are identical to the stock gauges on my '76 Yamaha XS500C.