Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

As i was going over my bike tonight, in preparation for a trip to the big smoke tomorrow arvo, i noticed that my left swing arm nut was gone.

This might come as a supprise, but i noticed that the trip home from work was a little funny tonight. Bike felt like the back wheel was going in and out of alignment and sounded clunky. I was pretty spot on the money....

Farqed if i know how it has come out Any one else had this problem?

Ill need to order the bits, does anyone know if you can buy the nut by itself or if you have to buy a whole new bolt and everything???

They vibrate loose over time. Refit a new one and Loctite it. I have done 40,000klms on mine since I loctited it and it has not come undone again. The way to tell it's coming loose, is that you will see some grease appearing from around the bolt/nut. That tells you it's loose, grab an allen key and tighten!

Well, i just rang the local rip off merchant and got a price on the nut. $13. Not bad really, but there are none in the country and a 3-6 week wait. Big K think they have some on the way, but will not know for sure untill next week. So, at the absolute best, i might have the bike at the chrissy party. Otherwise, all riding is currently on hold

So, now im looking for parking in Sydney for this weekend. IM staying in the city, but cant park the car.

This is a known problem with the ZRX.
I think mine happened @ around 12,000klm,s. I noticed it was not changing down gears properly under rear wheel braking or heavy engine braking, found nut was about 2 turn's from falling right off. This was the day after a major service where they ticked they had done a nut & bolt check, adjusted the chain & greased the swing arm, $600+ service. BULLSHIT.
Mines an '01 model, can't beleive they are still having the same problems after 7 yrs of production.
You would think Kawaski would take note of all the recurring problems listed on ZRXOA over the years.
Make sure you personally check your cam lobes too . The dealers have a hard time doing this because you actually have to remove the tappet cover, as opposed to just ticking the box that says Check & Adust Tappets.
End rant.

Just saw your new post about the lack of nuts @ Kawasaki, maybe try some wreckers, ZZR maybe the same even, not sure.

I have just ordered a new chain and sprocket also. The chain is worn enough in my oppinion to replace it, but the sprockets are still ok i think. Im a firm believer in changing something if its an unknown quantity but the sprockets do look ok. So do i change them or just do the chain???

I got that funny down cange feel yesterday also. I could also feel a massive amount of flex in the back end. Glad i took a good look at it last night......

Had the same problem on mine - nut didnt fall off though. I was like Errol and caught it just in time - after a loud clunk

Whickle wrote:I have just ordered a new chain and sprocket also. The chain is worn enough in my oppinion to replace it, but the sprockets are still ok i think. Im a firm believer in changing something if its an unknown quantity but the sprockets do look ok. So do i change them or just do the chain???

I got that funny down cange feel yesterday also. I could also feel a massive amount of flex in the back end. Glad i took a good look at it last night......

Even though the sprockets might look ok, they will have worn slightly and will be a mismatch for the new chain. Better to change them at the same time, to avoid premature wear of your new expensive chain!!!!

That was my plan. Will get to it on my return from Sydney.

Any recommendations on a Kawasaki place in Sydney to order the part from? I may need it sent to Canberra. I have no faith in the local dealer unfortunately.....

Whickle wrote:... I have no faith in the local dealer unfortunately.....

I've never had a problem with them for genuine Kawasaki parts mate, even when they have to come from Japan they are always there within 15 working days every time.

Are we talking about the 2 bolts at the back of the swinger that hold the settings in place?

Last year on the Tassie pilgramage the chain alignment was outta shape as I reached Tassie. Both bolts were tight but setting on one side had moved. Fucked if I could work out what happened.
Normally I torque these to Kwaka spec and they don't move.

Errol wrote:Make sure you personally check your cam lobes too . The dealers have a hard time doing this because you actually have to remove the tappet cover, as opposed to just ticking the box that says Check & Adust Tappets.
End rant.

Errols on the money here. Got my cam lobes hardened at 12,000, originals were pitted. Mama Kwaka paid for the cost. Seems it's a known issue.
TC

[ edit: correct speeling ]

peter stevens in melb might be worth a call
http://www.peterstevens.com.au/

Well, the local guys have come through with the goods. Pick them up this arvo. Hope to get it back on the road tonight.

If you are having trouble try Flywheels in Sydney good bunch of blokes

Mick C wrote:I've never had a problem with them for genuine Kawasaki parts mate, even when they have to come from Japan they are always there within 15 working days every time.

When I was after a coil pack for the ZRX it was a 6 week backorder!

it gets worse with age. Half the shit for the Black Pearl is NLA !! you don't want to see that code against any part numbers....