You know you're getting old when you are a little surprised and rather disappointed that neither a motorcycle dealer nor a big-box auto parts store carries a condenser for your 1976 Kawasaki KZ400.
Discontinued. Sigh.
You know you're getting old when you are a little surprised and rather disappointed that neither a motorcycle dealer nor a big-box auto parts store carries a condenser for your 1976 Kawasaki KZ400.
Discontinued. Sigh.
You mean like this one?
In reply to EastCoastMojo:
That's close, but they don't actually list my '76 model KZ400-D3. Pretty sure I can find it somewhere, though. I just wanted it today! 
Dangit. And I wanted to be somebody's hero today. 
Had something clever to say here...but I forgot what it was.
Bruce
EastCoastMojo wrote: Dangit. And I wanted to be somebody's hero today.
I found it here: http://www.z1enterprises.com/Ignition-Condenser--Kawasaki-KZ440-KZ400-4461.aspx
Maybe not my hero, but I still think you're pretty darn cool.
4cylndrfury wrote:
your doing it wrong.
BARNCA wrote:4cylndrfury wrote:your doing it wrong.
"The .30-06 is never a mistake" -Townsend Whelen
I can't imagine the looks you got asking for a condensor at a big box auto parts store.
Actually, I totally can, because I love asking those questions. When I was tracking down parts for my dad's Lancia one afternoon, I was escorted into the back of an O'Reilly's and told, "If you find it here, you can have it, on me." (I found it.)
Like going to Radio Shack and asking about capacitor values. "You've got questions, we've got blank stares."
And I ain't even as old as some of you fogies!
I just checked http://www.kawasakipartshouse.com/ and the condenser does appear to be NLA from the factory, but that's not surprising for a 35 year old Kawasaki. The thing about owning old bikes is you need to find the places that sell NOS parts for your particular machine. I know a couple guys who sell old Suzuki parts but I'm not up on the old Kawasaki world - there has to be a couple places out there someplace.
You know you are getting old when the you go to Auto Zone and ask for a set of points for your MGB
and the guy behind the counter doesn't know what points are and doesn't know what an MGB is.
I have a hard time finding any of the parts I need for my bike and the auto parts stores don't really carry much in the way of two of my parts for parts... Does that make me old?
Touch my elbow, Helpin me up or not.
Ha! Got the condenser and the bike is running great! To all you stinkin' snot-nosed kids running around with your fancy transistorized ignition systems: Thanks for nothin'! And get the hell off my lawn!
You know you're getting old when...
the kid in the shop makes ten moves to your one move to accomplish the same task
... but that's a good thing, eh 
93EXCivic wrote: I have a hard time finding any of the parts I need for my bike and the auto parts stores don't really carry much in the way of two of my parts for parts... Does that make me old?
Naw, just means the bike is as old as you are.
And that's says something else about you.
j/k, only because I know you.
wlkelley3 wrote:93EXCivic wrote: I have a hard time finding any of the parts I need for my bike and the auto parts stores don't really carry much in the way of two of my parts for parts... Does that make me old?Naw, just means the bike is as old as you are.
Actually the bike is 15 years older then me.
I guess it's just me, I wouldn't even go to an auto parts store for bike parts...unless I was super desperate, and had no other source.
My experience with finding "vintage" Datsun parts at Nissan dealerships makes me think a Kawasaki dealership "should" have the part for you.
Snowdoggie wrote: You know you are getting old when the you go to Auto Zone and ask for a set of points for your MGB and the guy behind the counter doesn't know what points are and doesn't know what an MGB is.
You don't have to be very old for that to happen.
integraguy wrote: I guess it's just me, I wouldn't even go to an auto parts store for bike parts...unless I was super desperate, and had no other source. My experience with finding "vintage" Datsun parts at Nissan dealerships makes me think a Kawasaki dealership "should" have the part for you.
I WAS desperate!
Kawasaki quit making/stocking parts for these bikes long ago. Fortunately, some online vendors still carry aftermarket parts. As ubiquitous as condensers were just a few short decades ago, I was hopeful that somebody would have some laying around.
And for the record, I have recently found the correct oil filter for the bike on the shelf at the local Advance Auto.
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