Leaderboard

I might start calling Kawasaki and asking them now. I would expect once the pipeline of steering parts started it will do nothing but increase as long as needed. It seems to take most dealers around a week to get the part installed. If I had to guess... I would say over a month to pick it up. Hope i'm wrong.=

I agree with Kawasaki making it easier, like packaging the top and second rings in sleeves marked top or #1 and second or #2 as some other manufacturers do...

Just wanted to pass along my little project after not finding any ready made accessories for adding a rear winch. I always say a front winch is to get others out of trouble. A rear winch is to get me out of trouble. I had my local steel shop bend up a rear bracket and integrated it into the rear frame of the machine. I extended the rear hitch and utilized the existing rear pin with the new bracket. The bracket bolts to existing holes on each side of frame and is super strong. I bought a 3500lb winch from Harbor Freight that matches the OEM front winch in all respects except the labels. I added a second corded remote to the dash and extended the power leads to reach the rear with the control box mounted with the front one. Total project cost was $225.

IT'S ALIVE!!!!! Yesterday morning, I decided to give Babbitts a call, well chat anyway, to see if they could verify the order of the first and second rings. Their chat line is the parts department, so I was told by them. They had no clue as to the order of the rings. Funny, most parts departments have some knowledge or at least will ask a mechanic and try to get an answer. Not Babbitts!! But, while I was waiting on the session to begin, I took a closer look at the new rings. Low and behold, under the light of my desk lamp, I found the "R" mark on the solid black ring but nothing on the shiny edged one. Just so you know, I had the red paint mark on the left side and the mark was right near the ring gap. Took the ring out from under the bright light and couldn't make out the mark. Travis, you might want to take a look at yours again and see if it's in the same location. I tried to take some pictures but the mark wasn't visible. Anyway, after that frustrating chat session, I took the new rings and other parts out to the shop to compare with the old ones. I think I said earlier that I remembered the second ring had the "R" visible on the top side, it did. When I looked at the old top ring, it had the shiny edge. So, I figured since that's the way it came apart I'd put it back together the same way. Checked the ring end gap in the bore, both rings in spec. So, black ring on bottom, red mark to the left, shiny ring on top. Since there is no orientation mark on the top ring, it can go either way. Got it all back together and torqued down, new oil filter and oil, adjust the valves. Now for the moment of truth... It fired right up!! Had to adjust the idle just a bit but she idled good. Rode it around the back yard just a bit at low speed, seems to run better and quieter than before. Today, I'll finish the clean up and get the bed back on. Sure is nice to have the old girl running again!!! Roger