First, is my bike an '86, or an '87? My registration says '86, but from things I've read on-line, the '87 was the first year with a 4 speaker Clarion stereo; which my bike does have. Maybe my bike is an '87 that was first sold in '86?
Second, I have a mystery knob just below the left side dash storage box. It is a rotating type knob. I'm not talking about the headlight height adjustment knob. I can't find any reference to it in the owner's manual, or the Clarion stereo manual. My suspicion is that it is a front rear fader for the stereo volume, but I have not noticed it do anything when I rotate it.
Welcome to the association. The paint colour and the vinyl covered LH pocket are 1986 only. 1987 through to and including the 1989 model were a very light metallic beige with dark beige accent panels. Some owners added the rear speakers to the '86 models.
The knob is not OEM and may be what you surmised: an owner installed accessory/fader switch. The only way to tell is by tracing out the underneath wiring.
Dave
I currently have the front apart, and the radio unit is at Sierra Electronics, hopefully being repaired. So it was easy to trace the wires and conclude that it is a fader, based on that the amplifier output goes to the knob, and then from the knob to the speakers.
Pop the Kawasaki cover off just below the knob and see what it is attached to.
It may be the fader for the add on rear speakers.
Does it have cruise control.NO . it's an 86
When I open the cover there is just a square opening into the space beneath the knob.
Another question: When I took the radio out, I saw on the back, the connection for the intercom. I also saw on the Peter Franchi video on how to take the radio out that his bike had a electric component screwed to the left side of the radio that he said was to reduce squeal noise from water getting into the helmet audio plugs (I think).
Right now my wife and I use a Nady intercom unit that is a little blue box that 2 helmet audio sets plug into.
My question is, can I buy certain components, and attach them to my current system, that would enable me to used the HS (Helmet sound) button on the radio? If yes, do you know what I would need and how to install them?
Go to "Voyager Accessories" of the "Voyager XII Index" said index located on the "Voyager XII Tech Tips" page, which is accessed from the "Tech Center" menu of the AVA Home Page. At the bottom of the accessories data sheets is the "Y Cord" selection. Click it and you will find all you need.
Dave
First, is my bike an '86, or an '87? My registration says '86, but from things I've read on-line, the '87 was the first year with a 4 speaker Clarion stereo; which my bike does have. Maybe my bike is an '87 that was first sold in '86?
Hello and welcome to the AVA. These bikes are somewhat interchangeable . Pull the left side covers off , and on the fuel tank will be a data sticker. and tire info ; and the engine number is right below the right side carb. Is there cruise / control ? The fader/control on all the 1200s I have been around have a bezel/text under the fader knob -( with a different knob also, 2 flats ) And I do not see a cassette pocket-door in the black / panel , forward of the fader. That may be an 86, Before my time on these bikes. I ran Yamaha's in most of my youth.
I can't remember what the outside difference is on the clutch cover on the beginning of production , but there was something different with the clutch or just a size difference with the cl/basket/ and cover.
PS------------- Does it have any broken plastic on it, just an FYI the plastic is
( black ABS ) One just needs a trip to Home Depot and get some fresh Primer/Glue,
Let us know what you find to be the true year of production. Any thing is possible with the ability and time on hand to change things on these bikes. Post a picture of the bike. OH- THE site doe's have a search you can use if you want some good posts to read...
Gene Kap.
"Its not bad if you don't know something, but when you don't know you don't know; That's when your in trouble". Joe Place 1912-2008 (my grandfather)
I have determined that I have an '86. I guess the previous owner installed the rear speakers and fader after it was new.
I'm getting my radio tape player fixed, buying a y-cord for intercom, and replacing all the original speakers.
I love this bike and have owned it for about 18 years. I think it handles really well. I plan to keep it until that sad day comes when it's just too big.
I also ride a Honda CRF230 when I'm dirt biking, which isn't often enough.
While you've got the false tank cover off, be sure to check which igniter you have. If it doesn't end with-1248, replace it ASAP. Try searching the forum for ignitor. Lots of info as to why to replace it. There's a few things different on the '86's compared to the 87-2003 models. That is also talked about else on this forum. How many miles on your bike? Do you have any service history? Any idea of how many owners, etc? Welcome to the club.
Well this is embarrassing, but what's an igniter? I can say that the thing has run very nicely ever since I bought it. I think I bought it in 1999. I've done very few repairs over the years. Mainly oil changes and new tires.
I'm the second owner. It has about 27000 miles. You can see that I don't ride it often, but I love it when I can ride. Usually my wife and I go for rides in the Sierras, doing hikes and staying in out of the way places.
I misspelled. Ignitor. It is the electronic ignition. It sits on top of the air filter box. The first 2 years of production had problems. It can and will break the starter chain. If that happens, the chain ends up down in the crankcase. Don't ask how I know.... Let me know which one you have, and be sure to search and read up on the importance of having the newer one installed.
The igniter is that rectangular black plastic item mounted to the top of the air filter box, opposite the opening of the air intake.
It has 2 plastic connectors and a rubber vacuum line attached to it and is mounted with 2 hex bolts onto the cover of the air filter box.
When the 86s and early 87s came out they had an igniter that was too advanced for starting with a low charge battery and could in some cases cause a kickback due to the advanced timing. Over time this did in some cases lead to broken starter chains with catastrophic crankcase fracturing. This igniter had the part # 21119-1179 and later 87s until the end of the model run in 2003 used a 21119-1248 igniter.
Kawasaki replaced the early igniters under warranty and may still do it as a good will gesture should one have the 1179 unit.
Mine had the early igniters and never had a problem, but that could be either dumb luck or the previous owners always kept the battery at top condition, unknown which was the case. I have since changed them out in case it was dumb luck.
Dave
Wow! I want to thank everyone who has helped me so far.
I checked, and I do have a 1179 igniter. Wow. I can just see starting the thing in the middle of nowhere and bang, that's all she wrote. Nights coming on, I'm in the mountains miles from the nearest civilization, and my wife ain't happy.
So I need a 1248.
Dave. You suggested that Kawasaki might replace it for free. Should I contact my local dealer to check that out? Anyone out there have experience getting a free 1248 igniter in recent times?
Otherwise I'll pursue other sellers. Does anyone have a suggestion on the best source?
Ebay has a used one right now for $125 or a new one for $500. $125 is a good price IMHO. There might be someone here with a spare from a parts bike, but don't know who.
Paul;
yes try your local dealer as there was a recall back in the day. The dealer will have to contact Kawasaki U.S.A. probably.
The igniter Barry wrote of is eBay ID #333067139568
Dave
PaulRanda11,to the wonderful AVA family.There is an abundance of information free for the asking.
