[Avgasser]

G'day troops. I recently began the process of bring back to life a very nice 1992 ZX1100-C3 (ZZX1100) that has been sitting unoperated in a garage for more than 5 years. Obviously, lots of things require checking and some a bit of restoration (such as fuel lines, etc.) if the bike is to be brought back 'on-line, as it were. One of the subsystems I have addressed in my restorations is the ZX11 thermostat and housing assembly that perches on the right side of the frame near the top of the radiator. There seems to have been a slight coolant leak where that housing fastens to the frame, so I removed it and took it apart, thinking I'd replace the two 'O'-rings used on that thermostat housing, one being a 53.5 (Kawa Part # 92055-112) and a smaller 27.7 'O'-ring (Kawa Part # 92055-091). Both these 'O'-rings must be replaced when you change out the thermostat since they get compressed over time, leading to possible coolant leaks; but to my considerable consternation I found...after trying to order the smaller 'O'-ring (90255-091) from at least 6 other sources...that the 27.7 ring is unavailable (the orders all listed the ring as 'Unavailable from manufacturer; uncertain when it will be available'. WHAAAAAAT?!

That unhappy discovery has been quite perplexing, since the new thermostat is an important and necessary part of my 'restorative' work on this beautiful bike. Believe me, everyone I've tried (Babbitt's, CheapParts, RevZilla, CMS, GenuineKawasakiParts.com, etc., has all responded the same way!

The small 27.7 'O'-ring is also used as a sub-component (also listed as Kawa Part # 90255-091 'drain plug') on some Kawasaki front fork systems, so it's not just an isolated and otherwise inconsequential part! Surely this is a 'preventable' problem that deserves immediate resolution?!

At any rate, I am completely flummoxed by this status quo! Anyone out there have any helpful insights on sourcing out this small but important 'O'-ring, so I can get my thermostat back operating again? Thanks.😟

 

[rbentnail]

Have you tried Google? It's your friend, don't be afraid! Apply the KISS method and simply search for the part #, nothing more.

A quick search shows 4+ places listing it as "in stock". It might be a simple phone call away to verify.

 

[tooter]

In situations like this,
silicone is my friend.

Gently remove the O ring fill the groove with hi temp automotive silicone gasket sealant, reinstall the filpped over O ring into the groove and wipe off the excess. Then put a thin coat of silicone sealant on the surface and install the part. Don't touch anything until the silicone has completely set up.

 

[Avgasser]

Have you tried Google? It's your friend, don't be afraid! Apply the KISS method and simply search for the part #, nothing more.

A quick search shows 4+ places listing it as "in stock". It might be a simple phone call away to verify.

Hi Rbentnail. I'm well used to sourcing out parts for my Yammies, Kwikasfuckis and Hondas using exactly that technique and I did so in this instance. All the multiple places that indicated they sell this part and had it' 'instock' sold me that part, took my money, and THEN said "Gee...terribly sorry, but: Out of stock and unavailable at this time with no firm date as to when it will be available'" This happened to me at least 6 times, ordering that bloody 'O'-ring from various Kawa parts outlets that listed the item as 'in stock' (when in fact, it was not). You'd think they would keep track of their control inventory more adequately and immediately indicate when a part was no longer in stock, or on 'back order' (another frequent seller trick, I've learned, that translates to 'Currently unavailable').

When I say I've exhausted all the possibilities known (to me), I really mean exhausted! However, thanks for that suggestion. It's exactly the sort of interactive 'melding of the minds' information-sharing that makes these forums so valuable to all of us! Cheers, AvGasser. 🍻

 

[Avgasser]

In situations like this,
silicone is my friend.

Gently remove the O ring fill the groove with hi temp automotive silicone gasket sealant, reinstall the filpped over O ring into the groove and wipe off the excess. Then put a thin coat of silicone sealant on the surface and install the part. Don't touch anything until the silicone has completely set up.

Tooter, I went down to my friendly neighborhood auto parts emporium this afternoon and briefly considered buying that heat-resistant silicone sealant material you suggested. It seemed a good alternative (good last fall-back, I guess I should say), but I filed the idea in the 'back burner' file and returned home to see if any of the 'donor' thermostat units (from parts-bikes) I have acquired (for ZX11s) would produce a still-usable 'O'-ring. Since I had earlier purchased a small tube of that stuff and had also found a reasonably decent ring in one of them, I put some of it into the ring's groove, laid in the ring and went with that combination. We'll see how it turns out once the system is pressurised and the machine running again. As you say, it's probably about as good as any idea for jury-rigging a replacement, but the idea of Kawasaki failing to have that important item in stock and immediately available is still irkatating (I'm easily irkatatable, LoL).

Thanks for sharing the idea! 👌

 

[rbentnail]

Hi Rbentnail. I'm well used to sourcing out parts for my Yammies, Kwikasfuckis and Hondas using exactly that technique and I did so in this instance. All the multiple places that indicated they sell this part and had it' 'instock' sold me that part, took my money, and THEN said "Gee...terribly sorry, but: Out of stock and unavailable at this time with no firm date as to when it will be available'" This happened to me at least 6 times, ordering that bloody 'O'-ring from various Kawa parts outlets that listed the item as 'in stock' (when in fact, it was not). You'd think they would keep track of their control inventory more adequately and immediately indicate when a part was no longer in stock, or on 'back order' (another frequent seller trick, I've learned, that translates to 'Currently unavailable').

When I say I've exhausted all the possibilities known (to me), I really mean exhausted! However, thanks for that suggestion. It's exactly the sort of interactive 'melding of the minds' information-sharing that makes these forums so valuable to all of us! Cheers, AvGasser. 🍻

Ah, but you're not doing as I suggested. You're not calling before you order.

This is what I (and many others who will actually listen) learned many years ago from working in the business:

The distributors list the part "in stock" meaning "we have one or more stored somewhere in our corporation". What they're not telling you is that most have multiple storage locations throughout the country (or world) but they ship to you ONLY from the one nearest you. If that SPECIFIC warehouse doesn't have the part in stock then you get backordered until the part(s) are received from the manufacturer/supplier. Even though it makes sense to us, they do NOT transfer stock from one warehouse to another and they do NOT ship from a warehouse not nearest to you unless you call them and specifically ask them to do so prior to placing the order. This is important- most find it a major inconvenience to alter "the business procedures" after the order is placed and will often flat out refuse to do it. You must call prior to placing the order and then place the order right then and there with the person on the phone. This is imperative- any arrangements made over the phone for delivery become null & void the moment the phone is hung up b/c "the business procedure" requires an order # to be associated with the arrangements. And no order means no order #, and that means all attempts at efficient delivery are gone.

Seriously, try it. I have parts delivered from the stocking warehouse regardless of location and distance all the time.

 

[WFO-KZ]

Partzilla lists both o-rings as in stock. I have used Partzilla a lot over the years and I have never seen them advertise something as in stock and then have them come back and say it's not available. I would do as rbentnail suggests and call them. Speak to a human. You get a lot more information that way.

However if that fails, take both of your o-rings and the thermostat down to your friendly hydraulics or industrial supply house and they can match up some o-rings for you. Kawi even provides one of the critical dimensions for you on their parts listing for the larger o-ring. Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Avgasser]

Ah, but you're not doing as I suggested. You're not calling before you order.
...........
Seriously, try it. I have parts delivered from the stocking warehouse regardless of location and distance all the time.

Aha! Well, that certainly makes a lot of sense! I usually try to avoid telephones, owing to a slight high-frequency drop-out (from years of being around jet turbine engines) that makes phone conversation slightly problematic; hence my failure to try your approach at the git-go. But I guess I'll bite the 20mm cannon round and call up the blokes FIRST from here on! Thanks for those insights! It's very helpful having those personal experiences and associations to draw upon! Cheers, AG

 

[Avgasser]

Partzilla lists both o-rings as in stock. I have used Partzilla a lot over the years and I have never seen them advertise something as in stock and then have them come back and say it's not available. I would do as rbentnail suggests and call them. Speak to a human. You get a lot more information that way.

However if that fails, take both of your o-rings and the thermostat down to your friendly hydraulics or industrial supply house and they can match up some o-rings for you. Kawi even provides one of the critical dimensions for you on their parts listing for the larger o-ring. Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Thanks for that idea, WFO-KZ. I hadn't thought of that but it certainly would be 'do-able' (having critical parts custom-made by a qualified supply source). These insights have been quite helpful to me. Most appreciated, all! 👌

 

[WFO-KZ]

Although make-your-own o-ring kits are available, I was referring to off the shelf o-rings.

Stores like this one, can help you out with off the shelf o-rings.

Common Metric O-Rings and Hard to Find Metric O-Rings in Stock

All O-Rings Online: An extensive selection of Metric O-Rings in Millimeters (mm), ISO 3601, Japanese Standard JIS B 2401 P, G, S and V O-Ring sizes in Viton®, Buna-N Nitrile, Silicone and EPDM. We make getting o-rings easy!

www.theoringstore.com

 

[Avgasser]

Although make-your-own o-ring kits are available, I was referring to off the shelf o-rings.

Stores like this one, can help you out with off the shelf o-rings.

Common Metric O-Rings and Hard to Find Metric O-Rings in Stock

All O-Rings Online: An extensive selection of Metric O-Rings in Millimeters (mm), ISO 3601, Japanese Standard JIS B 2401 P, G, S and V O-Ring sizes in Viton®, Buna-N Nitrile, Silicone and EPDM. We make getting o-rings easy!

www.theoringstore.com

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Copy that, thanks.

 

[Avgasser]

G'day troops. I recently began the process of bring back to life a very nice 1992 ZX1100-C3 (ZZX1100) that has been sitting unoperated in a garage for more than 5 years. Obviously, lots of things require checking and some a bit of restoration (such as fuel lines, etc.) if the bike is to be brought back 'on-line, as it were. One of the subsystems I have addressed in my restorations is the ZX11 thermostat and housing assembly that perches on the right side of the frame near the top of the radiator. There seems to have been a slight coolant leak where that housing fastens to the frame, so I removed it and took it apart, thinking I'd replace the two 'O'-rings used on that thermostat housing, one being a 53.5 (Kawa Part # 92055-112) and a smaller 27.7 'O'-ring (Kawa Part # 92055-091). Both these 'O'-rings must be replaced when you change out the thermostat since they get compressed over time, leading to possible coolant leaks; but to my considerable consternation I found...after trying to order the smaller 'O'-ring (90255-091) from at least 6 other sources...that the 27.7 ring is unavailable (the orders all listed the ring as 'Unavailable from manufacturer; uncertain when it will be available'. WHAAAAAAT?!

That unhappy discovery has been quite perplexing, since the new thermostat is an important and necessary part of my 'restorative' work on this beautiful bike. Believe me, everyone I've tried (Babbitt's, CheapParts, RevZilla, CMS, GenuineKawasakiParts.com, etc., has all responded the same way!

The small 27.7 'O'-ring is also used as a sub-component (also listed as Kawa Part # 90255-091 'drain plug') on some Kawasaki front fork systems, so it's not just an isolated and otherwise inconsequential part! Surely this is a 'preventable' problem that deserves immediate resolution?!

At any rate, I am completely flummoxed by this status quo! Anyone out there have any helpful insights on sourcing out this small but important 'O'-ring, so I can get my thermostat back operating again? Thanks.😟

I seem to have a habit of answering my own queries and this one is no exception. I have received several of the 'totally unavailable' 27.4 mm Thermostat housing O-rings recently, and from suppliers that had previously responded 'SOL!' Also talked to a Kawa mechanic at a local service facility and he confirmed what rbentnail intimated earlier: that the pandemic has resulted in depleted inventories of a huge number of parts that are normally in plentiful supply. The fact that some previously 'not available' parts are now trickling back into suppliers' hands is proof of that, as the various parts suppliers & the Kawasaki Company scramble to replenish stocks and increase inventories. That's a real relief and as a result I've finally been able to finish the restorative work I've been engaged in on my recently acquired '92 Kawa ZX1100C-3 Ninja project. The bike now looks like what we in the aviation business call a '10-footer' (an aircraft...or vehicle that looks like a million dollars from 10 feet away, until you get closer and see the small imperfections, bumps and 'wear-rash' that miles and usage bring with them). I'll be cranking her up shortly for the first full test of the engine since 5 years ago. Can't wait! Green lights across the board, so far, and ready for launch. Thanks to everyone for your valued inputs on this topic!

 

[MichaelZZR]

I have checked these sites and they all have it available:

https://www.partzilla.com/product/kawasaki/92055-091

92055091 RING-O,27.7X2.4 Part Kawasaki - MSP

MSP is Europe’s most popular online parts supplier, buy new Kawasaki manufactured RING-O,27.7X2.4 from MSP, worldwide shipping using DHL

www.motorcyclespareparts.eu

These are the first two sites I have checked. It is fitted on so many bikes it is always going to be available.

 

[WFO-KZ]

A "10-footer", LOL. I have one of those. In fact one of mine is a 30-footer.

 

[Motoresto-LLC]

G'day troops. I recently began the process of bring back to life a very nice 1992 ZX1100-C3 (ZZX1100) that has been sitting unoperated in a garage for more than 5 years. Obviously, lots of things require checking and some a bit of restoration (such as fuel lines, etc.) if the bike is to be brought back 'on-line, as it were. One of the subsystems I have addressed in my restorations is the ZX11 thermostat and housing assembly that perches on the right side of the frame near the top of the radiator. There seems to have been a slight coolant leak where that housing fastens to the frame, so I removed it and took it apart, thinking I'd replace the two 'O'-rings used on that thermostat housing, one being a 53.5 (Kawa Part # 92055-112) and a smaller 27.7 'O'-ring (Kawa Part # 92055-091). Both these 'O'-rings must be replaced when you change out the thermostat since they get compressed over time, leading to possible coolant leaks; but to my considerable consternation I found...after trying to order the smaller 'O'-ring (90255-091) from at least 6 other sources...that the 27.7 ring is unavailable (the orders all listed the ring as 'Unavailable from manufacturer; uncertain when it will be available'. WHAAAAAAT?!

That unhappy discovery has been quite perplexing, since the new thermostat is an important and necessary part of my 'restorative' work on this beautiful bike. Believe me, everyone I've tried (Babbitt's, CheapParts, RevZilla, CMS, GenuineKawasakiParts.com, etc., has all responded the same way!

The small 27.7 'O'-ring is also used as a sub-component (also listed as Kawa Part # 90255-091 'drain plug') on some Kawasaki front fork systems, so it's not just an isolated and otherwise inconsequential part! Surely this is a 'preventable' problem that deserves immediate resolution?!

At any rate, I am completely flummoxed by this status quo! Anyone out there have any helpful insights on sourcing out this small but important 'O'-ring, so I can get my thermostat back operating again? Thanks.😟

Parts Fiche shows a number of watercraft (Jet Ski) applications. Check some dealers who sell and service Kawasaki Jet Ski's or even marinas who sell Kawasaki watercraft engine parts. I tried to find the "size" of the o-ring, but of course it's the only one in that assembly they don't ID by size. The Honda parts fiches are excellent for delineating o-rings sizes, bolt thread/pitch and length, all sorts of good info, but Kawasaki and Suzuki are hit and miss in that area. They make ya work for it. Cheers.

 

[rbentnail]

We Yamaha folks have also switched to Honda parts for just that reason- knowing what we're looking for. Screw and bolt sizes are fairly straightforward from Yamaha fiches but other small parts are not. Luckily Yamaha and Honda use many of the same suppliers for things like brake calipers and cooling systems.