I just returned from my local Kawasaki dealer after trying to pick up a few 92200-0498 radiator drain plug gaskets. As is usually the case, they didn't have any in stock and had to order them. I've gone through this so many times -- trying to get the simplest of replacement parts.

In my case, the dealer has to order parts from somewhere in California, and if I place an order on Monday morning, it MAY get here by Friday. Whenever I order something like this, I usually order a half dozen or so, just so I'll have a few around next time I need them.

It started me thinking... I don't know if many others are having this problem (dealers not stocking the simple parts you need), but if so, maybe we should put together a little spare parts kit and make it available here. If there is any interest in this, I could look up the parts that I've had to order and wait for, and start a list. Then anyone else with a request for a part to be included in the kit could let me know.

By the way, it makes me lose a great deal of confidence in a dealer when they don't have something like this drain plug gasket in stock. It is used in several different Kawasaki models (including the Concours 14), and the service manual says it should be replaced with a new one each time the radiator plug is removed and re-inserted. Same with the oil change gasket. When a dealer doesn't have these in stock, they are obviously not following the manufacturer's recommendation to replace them during these maintenance procedures.

Whaddyathink (about the idea of a spare parts kit)? -bg

Here is the deal on the parts bin. Imagine you are a multi-dealer. You take on the whole brand including the water bikes an rototillers. Imagine the inventory you would have to have and then all of a sudden, the brands change the whole design next year. Nothing fits in inventory. You have no clue what happen to the Z1 owners you have everything needed is a gold mind me charging you for a new part is you came in for factory service buy the book and now buy some parts is no, I rather keep the old part so it leaks on you down the road is a drain plug washer that is thin as onion paper, I think I can get one more drain out of the gasket is obsolete parts in the back is tie up my money like that is....

"We need to order that part for you is at the big bin is let them hold the parts is hold on for a cup pull of days you tear your hair out waiting. I know going in I will need so many parts. So I order way before hand is hand me the parts is pre-paid is how I pay.... I mean, play the parts game.

Just my two cents is; "No return on electrical parts." Your cam sensor is you eat it!

Yeah, I think there's good reason for the dealership not carrying everything we need - my own dealership is struggling to stay in business right now and excess inventory is money sitting on a shelf.

At the same time, if they had to order something as basic as an oil drain plug crush washer or oil filter then I would be a little peeved (haven't seen that).

-Dennis

I'll have a spare IF I ever need one?LOL.(cam sensor).Ya-it's something to go in and say-"I need a quick rivet and a couple of well nuts"-"okay,we don't have those in stock,but I'll order em for ya"...What's the deal?Twenty sportbikes(specific)-not one 5mm well nut-come on-NO quick rivets?Yeah,sure.So as Gordon said-HOW do they do a job on your bike in say one hour,that needs a quick rivet replacement(or something similar).They're gettin em from somewhere.Plenty of oil filters though!!(they didn't have any problem replacing my PLUGS though(at almost 20 or so bucks a pop!)-In all honesty-I didn't NEED new plugs!!!!!(checked one before(few thousand miles before)-looked great!Nothing changed engine wise-so I'm pretty sure they were good.(didn't ask them to change plugs-nor did they offer to give me my "old ones" back)(never did get to look at them).I was quite disappointed.Guess I could have asked for them back-BUT-how embarrassing would that be for the mechanic IF he never changed em IN THE FIRST PLACE-didn't want to do that-he had a hard enough time gettin my bodywork back on there right(which I had to do down the road-took another 30 minutes of MY TIME(which he was paid to do).So............?THAT's why I DREAD the thought of those guys doin my Valve check.THAT'S why I've been puttin it off.No one over at my dealer has EVER done a valve check on an inline four,overhead cam.WTF????Kawasaki Trained Technician- Intruth,I'm REALLY considering the Yamaha Dealer for the valve check!!!!You guys think they could handle a zx14 design?Or would I be risking some guy purposely not being good to my Kawasaki.Those guys over there "seem" way more competent.(I hope "my" mechanic aint readin this LOL!!!)Oh well,that's how I feel about it.I ought to be able to walk in there with a situation-lay it out(I aint stupid) and get some positive feedback?Like maybe-"sounds like 'this or that',"what was happening?'You know,some actual informed possible answers.In all fairness though,he did change my plugs-I checked.But at the time I didn't know that-so..........No ASKY on my part.(unfortunately,she wasn't running ANY better than when I took er in

* Last updated by: blue07 on 7/20/2009 @ 2:35 PM *

BIKE BANDIT.COM

BIKE BANDIT.COM

Are you meaning that there is such a kit on bikebandit.com, or that you purchase parts there??? -bg

I think that's rotty feeding something to his mouse. Make the poor wheel hurl spark plug cheater readers are alleged.

Well, bg, if you mean we kit up every replacement part it says to do in the book? We would have to establish a list what most of the bike rotates through.
Then find a jobber that would take on how much of a kit of parts is that list? Is it worth his profit margin if you cannot pull in a profitable number of members, and where is that line drawn where it benefits both sides.

Are you meaning that there is such a kit on bikebandit.com, or that you purchase parts there??? -bg

no i'm saying ..thats were i store all my in a hurry to get OEM parts ..

They get them to the house faster than ANY dealer ever has..

* Last updated by: Badzx14r on 7/20/2009 @ 5:46 PM *

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/kawasaki-motorcycle-zx1400c8f-ninja-zx-14-2008/o/m17219

Assumptions make the ass in gumming my lips azz usual.

Family dealership is kill that service wit a smile is a multi-franchise. What a gold mine.

I have ordered a couple extra of cheap gasket and seals when I put orders in. Just means I usually always have extra gaskets on hand when I or someone elses bike makes my gayrage.

Well, bg, if you mean we kit up every replacement part it says to do in the book?

Actually, I was just thinking of the parts the anyone who does simple stuff to his bike would need. Things like

• a few oil drain plug gaskets
• a few coolant drain plug gaskets
• a few of the rubber thingies with nuts in them that hold on the windscreen and the fairings, and some small replacement bolts that go into them
• a couple of the rubber thingies with nuts that go hold the bolts at the rear of the gas tank, and a couple of replacement bolts that go into them
• a few of the clear washers used with the small bolts (i.e., fairing bolts)
• a few of the black washers used with the larger bolts
• the plastic fitting that holds the two sides of the bottom cowling together in the front
• maybe a few other assorted bolts and washers

I'm sure we can identify a few other items.

I've had to order all of these things and wait for them to come in... -bg

Good to remember when sourcing parts that K.H.I. doesn't manufacture lots of the fasteners, washers, wellnuts, bolts, etc.. There are lots of supply houses that sell these parts at way lower prices than the dealership could allow. My Hardley AbleSons got tons of fasteners and washers from McMaster-Carr www.mcmastercarr.com and places like www.boltmotorcyclehardware.com are good for sportbikes, just to name two. Just get a metric caliper and start measuring what you need; in most cases it's out there.

I actually like my dealer and will give him whatever business I can, but it's going to be in bikes and sending him customers. I feel better doing my own work most of the time anyway. If you like your dealer and/or are rich and patient, then there's the way to go. But if I can get a bag of 10 crush washers for a couple of bucks the next day via UPS........

And like that fast fukker said: BIKE BANDIT.COM

* Last updated by: JayFell on 7/20/2009 @ 8:39 PM *

I have always carried all the consumables that need to be replaced regulary its just easier than having to wait for the dealer. I know its my money sitting on the shelf but its my shelf and its there when I need it. Always lots of oil and O rings and gaskets, plugs and brake pads and I usually carry a chain and sprockets

bg,

Those rubber thingies with nuts in them are called well nuts. I just found out the hard way that if you tighten their screws too tight, they die a horrible, premature death. I purchased some of those anodized windscreen screws, which came with extra well nuts. In fact, I purchased several packs to do all the screws in the fairings. So I have plenty of those extree. However, the next larger sized are used on a couple of holes in foreman grilles, and those are starting to die too. If someone is putting together a hardware kit, be sure to include a few of each size. The smaller well nuts for the windscreen can often be found at even smaller dealers, but the next larger size are much more difficult to find.

I personally put together my own spare hardware kit. I purchased one of the ZX-14 stainless steel hardware kits from a guy on eBay. I kept all the hardware that was replaced in the kit, plus a couple dozen other smaller pieces I purchased in a generic kit at Cycle Gear. I carry this when I take road trips, as well as a spare fuse kit and an extree set of levers. (Actually the stockers, as I'm running a pair of Pazzos). Oh, and a spool of safety wire and a small set of Vise Grips. I also carry some JB Weld, as well as a small container of red and blue Loctite. Also carry some electric tape, heat shrink and zip ties. This kit, along with a few "real" tools in my Kriega tool wrap have helped me and riding buddies out of several jams already. And it doesn't take up much room in my tail bag, either.

-Matt

Earlier this season one of the members of my riding club lost a front wheel bearing on a ride. He limped back to the motel and another rider has one whole hard saddlebag full of tools and parts. He had two kinds of wheel bearings for the bike in question, one for the "old" model, one for the "new" model. Put his bike on the center stand (another good reason to have a centerstand.... why did they ever start leaving them off?) and took the wheel off and was back on the road again in 30 minutes.

I was amazed this guy actually had wheel bearings and all the tools.

If I lost a wheel bearing, it would be park it, find a phone, call ROK for recovery services, trip over.

I'd love to have spare parts for my bike, even if just for in my garage. Last time I found a cowling bolt missing, it took a week to get a replacement. Then I promptly lost the little black plastic washer and had to wait a week for another of those. The dealer didn't even have them in stock....

"the next larger sized are used on a couple of holes in foreman grilles, and those are starting to die too."

Matt,

Since the larger ones are starting to go, I would change them now. Here's why, the large ones that are in the sides of the tank cover will fall right into the air box when they break. Now, you got to go fishing for them and that's just a PITA that you don't need! I know this from experience...

Yup, that's how I know too. :(

-Matt