Topic: Contacting Kawasaki Directly. Will it work?

[fendersrule]

Hi all,

So I've been really excited to get my hands on Kawasaki's service compression gauges and adapters. They so far are testing very reliably and are quality units.

I purchased the actual gauge from a Kawasaki dealer (who ordered it directly from Kawasaki) for $130. This is just the gauge, with nothing else. A little spendy, but I wanted the best.

The adapters show up on eBay.....but I haven't seen the 14mm adaptor show up in the past 6 months. I was able to get a NOS 12mm adaptor from eBay for about $30-40 when I purchased the gauge for testing my CB750, but I need the 14mm adaptor for testing my twins.

Here's what's absolutely frustrating and makes no sense. Ordering the 14mm adaptor from a Kawasaki dealer is a $160-180 expense. If you think paying $130 is stupid for a compression gauge, then paying that much for the adaptor is assinine on every level. I will place lots of money that this adaptor costs Kawasaki no more than $40 to produce, and even that number is probably an exaggeration.

So my next resort is to find some way to contact Kawasaki, and to figure out why in the #@$#ing hell do they want more for an adapter than the actual gauge. The adaptor is just a hose (specifically designed with small internal volume for motorcycle engines) with a 14mm fitting on one end (and a thumb grip) and a SPECIFIC kawasaki fitting (I think) on the other end.

This adaptor is all I need to be able to test all of my motorcycles from here on out. After 6 months of checking eBay a couple times a week, I need to get more serious about obtaining one. Does anyone have an "in" with Kawasaki?

Here is what they look like (this is a 12mm one, which are all over eBay brand new for $50 shipped):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Kawasaki-Compression-Adapter-Tool-Part-57001-1486-/160998864173?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item257c47b52d&vxp=mtr

I'm looking for part #57001-1159

[Carver]

Probably not, you're gunna have to do what I did, get a job at a dealership with your choice brand and use you're discount to get parts at cost 

[grcamna2]

Fenders,
That pic on Ebay doesn't give away much,does it ?! You need a Kaw. parts guy who'll give you an 'in' on that part#  This'll be a bump 
 Maybe if you could find a local Kaw. dealer in your area and hang out for a bit and wait for someone w/ influence(the Snap-On guy?)and ask him if he could put in a 'good word' for you w/ the parts Manager ? 

[fendersrule]

Yea…was hoping someone here would have an "in" for me. 

I would really love to speak to someone who works at the Kawasaki headquarters to see how they could explain their pricing confusion. That's like offering a Big Mac at $4, but the fries? That's $10.

[754]

TDon't worry about it just get one made.. Gotta be cheaper , if you know a machinist and suck up a bit, or treat them right.
 Too bad you only showed a pic of a bag, can't price out the part.

[dave500]

is this the start of another OCD thread?

[grcamna2]

Yea…was hoping someone here would have an "in" for me. 

I would really love to speak to someone who works at the Kawasaki headquarters to see how they could explain their pricing confusion. That's like offering a Big Mac at $4, but the fries? That's $10.

Fenders,We'll just keep bumping this until we 'hook you up' w/ a member who's also a Kaw. parts guy...

[ekpent]

Saw where my local dealer had it listed for 180.00 + also but for some reason the part number would not show up on their dedicated online discount site ?? Must be pretty special.

[Duanob]

If you do get in touch wih them tell them the W800 would be a hit in the USA, not all of us ride Hawgs and Squids as they may think.

[fendersrule]

I plan on also mentioning about the w800 as well. I would buy it right away.