TOPIC:

As requested, a brief explanation of my engineering work in Japan and the 79 KZ1300 I rode in Tokyo. I primarily diagnosed problems and implemented solutions on equipment used in scientific laboratories and hospitals. This included systems for everything from liquid chromatography analysis to sub pico second time domain Raman spectroscopy. My secondary work (my favorite but paid a lot less) was solving problems with vehicles such as motorcycles, cars, trucks, trains, and ships.

It was not apparent to me that the KZ1300 was not sold as a Japanese domestic product. There were a few Japanese citizens who rode them and the number increased during the 5 years I was there. Perhaps they were imported back to Japan. There were a lot of KZ1300 bolt on after market accessories available that I never encountered outside of Japan. These included oil coolers and 6 into 6 exhausts. To date there are, several KZ1300 owner clubs in Japan. They have regular rallies and rides to various places in Japan.

My KZ1300 did draw some interest. If I cruised in the Roppongi or Shinjuku districts, women would often ask for a ride.

I was in Japan 92 - 2000. Much smaller rural city than Tokyo, and never been without a woman on my bike, if that would be only it for that matter, LOL
Japan - best place to live in my opinion. If not minding dealing with urban environment and the typhoons. With my local bikers club we rode every month from our meeting place, a small restaurant ran by one of the members. Those years young kids liked 'Steed', which was I think 400 or 600 Yamaha twin of different name in North America? Good days anyway, when drinking and riding was accepted by the police. At least where I was. And everybody was wild but disciplined and safe. Except the annoying Bosozoku, but they had the best sexy brown hair and white socks girls! haha And their charm as well. As long as not at 10 km/hr blocking the street! I'd pass them by anyway on a bigger bike. Miss those times, one of the best in my life.

zed_thirteen wrote: what are those pressed metal plates with slots in? I don't have those - at least I don't think I do - it's been a while since I had clutch cover off

Given I started this can I add to the comment above that I don't recall seeing these plates on either the 6.2L cover or the 5.3L cover. Now I'm worried..........

PKZ1300, Thanks for starting this thread. According to the data from Kawasaki, an original engine with the 5.3 clutch cover, in the engine serial number range 009427 - 010637, should have the ring style baffle. I assume the outer edge of the "ring" can be seen between the outer edges of the two clutch cover gaskets with the engine assembled. Engines with the 6.2 clutch cover and engine number 01196 or higher, should have the newer baffle which eliminated the large ring. This baffle cannot be seen unless the clutch cover is removed.

If this helps, you can see the steel plate at the bottom through the bucket. This is 82 with 6.2 liters on the cover, so just the bottom part without the ring unlike the 80 with 5.3 on it (the other photo I posted earlier)