Rear Axle fitment error in FSM???

Installing the rear wheel on my 82 KZ1000K2 LTD, and the FSM shows the axle going in from left to right in the pictures. However, in the parts diagram drawing it shows it going right to left? I checked the parts diagram on kawasaki.com and it shows right to left as well. Not sure if it makes any real difference, but wondering if anyone has any advice on this one.

Thanks!

Bill

Doesn't make any difference which way it goes on.

Thanks

Not that it really matters, but nut on left tends to tighten with forward wheel motion and nut on right tends to loosen with forward wheel motion, either tendency being negligible with good well maintained wheel bearings, not to mention the cotter key or clip pin on the castle nut.

As a practical matter, with 4>1 exhaust on the right side, may be easier to pull the axle with nut on the right, where the nut is usually accessible, and the muffler may block pulling out the axle. Could of course first remove the muffler or the entire exhaust system, but would prefer the simplicity of just removing the right hand side nut and pulling the axle out from the left side.

Good Fortune!

My KZ650-C1 came from the factory with the nut on the left side. Also, the KZ650-C1 Kawasaki Assembly and Preparation Manual (used for uncrating and assembling the bikes) shows the nut on the left. Ed

Original 1973 Z1 Owner's Manual has rear axle nut on the right.
Which is consistent with large Kaw four 1973~1976 FSM diagram and several pics.
Am guessing '74~76 Owner's Manuals also show it on the right.






FSM for 1977~1979 KZ1000 A and D models consistently shows the rear axle nut on the left.

Go figure. :huh:

Good Fortune!

I think they switched the nut to the left side (see pic from 1977 KZ650-C1 Assembly & Prep Manual) after the rear wheels fell off thousands of Z1's That's why Z1's are so rare in good condition. :laugh: :laugh: :woohoo:

" after the rear wheels fell off thousands of Z1's That's why Z1's are so rare in good condition. "....

God damn it Ed.... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:


Well one thing for sure, with the nut torqued to spec & that huge cotter pin in place, hard for the nut to back off... :ohmy:

All my KZs I've ever owned, the nut was on the right side, but it makes no difference.

The castle nut on my 81 650 is on the right & it came stock w a re-usable hitch pin.
If I was left handed, I guess I'd install it the other way. But on a chain drive bike, the castle nut will stay cleaner on the right.

What really makes a difference is using a classy aftermarket hitch pin clip instead of a nasty 'ol cotter key that'll cut-ya!





And Oh-so-quick-and-easy to remove and re-install. Almost makes chain adjustments fun.
Be saying, Wow, hope it needs a chain adjustment! :woohoo:

Good Fortune!

Patton wrote: What really makes a difference is using a classy aftermarket hitch pin clip instead of a nasty 'ol cotter key that'll cut-ya!

And Oh-so-quick-and-easy to remove and re-install. Almost makes chain adjustments fun.
Be saying, Wow, hope it needs a chain adjustment! :woohoo:

Good Fortune!

You know, I actually thought about using a clip Thanks for the input guys.