So, one of the first questions someone encounters when embarking on a bobber project is…how do I find parts for this old bike?
Thanks to the depth and breadth of the internet, the answer is not as hard as you might think. If you know where to look, you can find replacement parts for most bikes just a click away.
For vintage bikes like my ’84 Kawi, I look on three sites: Partzilla, Z1, and Bike Bandit. There may be others, but I use these. Partzilla has the parts microfiche schematic that’s easiest to read.
So, let’s start there using my bike as an example. Go to Partzilla and, in the red banner, click OEM Parts – Motorcycles – Kawasaki – 1984 – ZN1100-B1 LTD Shaft. You’re now on a page with a list of component parts specific to my bike. Click on a component like ‘Air Cleaner.’ You’ll see the air cleaner component broken down into individual pieces. Each piece has a number next to it which is the Part Number. For example, look for Part Number 92081 on the schematic. They look like four thin rings. Scroll down the page and find a list of parts organized by Part Number. Find 92081 which is Spring, Coil, Black (the last item on the list). To replace them all, I need four at the cost of $5.12. That’s all there is to it.
Ever wondered if a similar part from a different model will fit your bike? Let’s check a 1982 Kawasaki KZ1000-J2. Click OEM Parts – Motorcycles – Kawasaki – 1982. Find the KZ1000-J2. Then click on ‘Air Cleaner.’ Look for PN 92081 (last item on the list again) and, yes, those parts are interchangeable between the two bike models.
And there you have it. An easy way to find replacement parts for your old bike. If you know of other good sites for OEM parts, let me know below and I’ll add it to the Resources page.
Next: First steps to getting an old bike on the road