1982 KZ1300 rescue and rebuild

Scotch:

Ah yes, The bent needle syndrome. Mine did the same after 35+ years.

There are some things only a guy with 30+ years around these bikes would know!
Funny to see both needles bent exactly to the same profile. Builds my confidence knowing they were made consistent! haha And with two long eyelashes, would it be safe to assume my bike is a girl?
I've never taken these apart, but I'd imagine there is a spring which is hooked up to these needles pulling them back towards zero for reset when the bike is not running. The curvature certainly let them go over the stop posts.

You're on the "down-hill" now ! It's been interesting to watch your progress and determination ! Can't wait to see the finished project in person.

Yes, that's how it feels, but with that the pressure actually builds up! There are lots of small things to take care of, some very simple but very time consuming. Be it even ordering something from Europe (like the air ducts) and waiting for arrival. If something else would pop up, then again another order and another wait time. It turns out that despite cleaning up the starter motor from rust, it doesn't work due to an internal short (not confirmed yet). It's a major road block that has to be solved.
Saying this, I will do everything so we can enjoy a ride together this summer scotch!

Biltonjim:
We were discussing the decals back in a day, and I am just glad to know all decals are available as perfect after-market copies.
I haven't purchased the decals, that would be the last thing to buy on my list. I wouldn't slap any decals on any visible space - imagine that on a beautifully painted gas tank! On internal, not visible surfaces, I'd apply them. So, one day, I might get a set just to have it available.

When I took apart the swing arm it didn't have this piece.
When I put it back together there is no play. I can't even see where it would fit as all fits snug.
I don't think I'm missing anything. The gears and everything are like new, so definitely it worked well as is. What do you think?

Without going to the manual to see how Kawasaki wants you to set up the fit of the drive coupling on the shaft, item 92026 appears to be a nominal shim and 92055D is a selectable shim to set the lash of the fit of the drive coupling on the drive shaft. If 92026 is missing I would expect a lot of lateral play between the coupling and the spline collar (back and forth movement of the coupler on the shaft.) Are you sure the spacer isn't stuck to the coupler and you're just not seeing it? Something's funky.

Positively no shim. AND there is no play on the coupling. Hmmm....
I would bet on it my mother's name (if that word is soon allowed instead of parent number 1 or parent number 2? me being first born unit number 1??? - Canadians would know what I'm talking about...), that the swing arm has never been removed. It just doesn't look that way. So, I'd go on a limb and say that shim wasn't inserted there by Kawasaki when manufactured.
It is a funky think indeed, with no lateral movement of the coupling. I don't think I have anything to loose and will keep it as it came.
I wonder if there are some discrepancies in those drawings.

Follow up....

Just removed the swing arm, and what a smooth 10 minutes it was!! Such a pleasure after it's been serviced. I could do it all day! haha

I removed the grease and took a look again. There seems to be a space where that shim could fit indeed. After pushing in the coupling, the gear edges seem to be somewhat flash from where I look at it, so there could be a shim there - if someone put it there in the first place!
I am still with my first observation that the swing arm has never been removed, so I'd risk a conclusion that it came like this from the factory. I still can't laterally move the coupling, and perhaps that's what the grease packing and a tight o-ring does, but I haven't used vise grips to pull it with a greater force.

I am going to call Kawasaki and see if they have this shim. Other than that, just an appropriate size washer should do the job, as there are no significant forces or movement there. Everything worked fine until now with no wear and tear, and I think after attaching the final gear things just stay in place.

UPDATE! BUsy mornig! Thank you for being a part of this process! haha

Just called Kawasaki and ordered this part. They have it, if anyone wonders. 2-3 business days so I should have it next week by Wednesday. $6.86 +tax Canadian funds.
Hope it fits in! lol