TOPIC:

I just got off the phone with Kawasaki. Total price with taxes for a set of 6 is CAD 514.22 - that's roughly £ 300 or 50/set. (or USD 390)

Ouch!

Stan, that is double what you paid for the ones you bought off IMD through Ebay.

Are those no good, or, are those significantly worse than the Kawasaki ones you think?

Paul

Yeah, I think the Kawasaki were cheaper when I asked first a year or so ago. Quite expensive now and you are right, the IMD are about half price - can't beat that!

Unfortunately I haven't taken any photos of the IMD rings, and the mental image of them right now is a bit fuzzy. I remember asking around about them and got a very good feedback. I also asked IMD and they told me they are identical to the Kawasaki stock. I remember for sure that the top ring was shiny like chrome, second dark like cast iron. So, no question there. I somewhat remember double checking them up close to make sure that bevel goes the same way on all of them, but maybe that's just my imagination after all this talk about rings.

Anyway, they work great so far on my bike after rebuilding. I'm not an expert and don't have extensive experience on these bikes, but I think IMD would be the best safe bet for the money.

Just to be a devil's advocate, would I buy those Kawasaki rings if price wasn't an issue? Probably. Thinking in term of years, let's say 10, that extra cash divided by number of months of riding would not add to much. From that perspective, it would make sense to just get the oem set and forget the issue. It crosses my mind that perhaps those new cheaper rings might actually be better - technology advanced so perhaps the properties of currently made rings improved? That can't go beyond pure speculation though, unless putting both under microscope and lab testing. On the other hand, there are people with 30+ year old bikes with original rings and they ride just fine.

Final thought, I'd maybe ask again IMD specifically about the bevel and whatever else and then decide what to do. From what you said you will be putting a set of inverted forks, etc. etc. - not the cheapest things out there. Perhaps you'd go for the stock? In my case, with my budget, I was really happy to get those cruizingimage rings but unfortunately I know I'd be always feeling like I did a halfassed job, knowing there is a better set. So, in my case, I will be aiming at the IMG rings. My feeling is that they are a good replacement for the Kawasaki rings.

Thanks Stan, I think I'll email IMD to ask about the rings; chrome and bevel etc. and if they are indeed like you remember them, I'll probably go for them.

You are right about other stuff that will go on that is pricey, but if I can save 50% on all the bits that are to go on, IF they are of equal quality, that will save a HEAP of cash... and my budget being zero (as in: I plan to buy things as I need them, when I need them AND have the cash for them ), all the pennies will count.

Paul

I see. I am on a similar boat. Hell, I don't even have parts to put an engine together! I still don't have the crankshaft and still missing two connecting rods. The biggest hurdle will be the bushings - all should be replaced. They are not that bad when they show up. They are all available on the German site, but way too expensive. So, it's going to be when I find things affordable. This is not something I need to hurry with, like the bike which I recently finished.
Stan