KLE500 swinging arm rust
 

Hi all just thought I would ask if any one had started to see rust appearing on there swinging arm on the newer black painted KLE500's mine has excessive rust and its an 07 build, looking at a Y reg (silver painted arm) that had seen a lot of miles they don't seem to suffer in the same way.

Talked to Kawasaki uk and they don't think its a common issue, so I thought I would ask the group.
All I have to do know is wait for my local dealer to get a response back from Kawasaki as to weather they will accept it as a warranty repair.


Cheers John, rusting away in Bristol. :(

Hi
Mines an 07 aswell and has done 12500miles and its starting to rust on the inside of the swing arm where all the crud collects and around where the chain adjuster plates are, also the suspension links are also showing signs of rust. I'll probably strip the bike and paint the rusting bit at the 15k service

K-RAP poblems as well!
 

Mine is an 05 model, and yes the swinging arm is rusting up. I've also had a problem with paint on the frame and worse on the engine cases. I'm in the process of repainting the covers. I think they must have run out of primer because the seems to be no evidence of it on mine! It needs an etching primer before painting.
A dealer about 40 miles from me cited the paint problems as one of the reasons for dropping Kawasaki at their dealership. Looking forward to trying their Guzzi demonstrators soon.
Oh, nearly forgot.......Kawasaki Really Awful Paint......KRAP

Regards, Richard.

p.s. Is that a callsign John?

Rust
 

Thanks both for your replies.
Given the amount of rust I dont see myself purchasing another Kawasaki again.
I know that the bike was cheep compared to others but if it cant make it through the uk weather then its a real problem, Still I have to wait and see what the manufacture wants to do about fixing the problem. I will let people know what they do in the long run.

Cheers

P.S. Yes its a callsign Richard, 73's

John G4WOD Bristol

Final update on Rust problem
 

Just thought I would advise any one who decides to purchase Kawasaki, not to expect any warranty repairs if you hit rust problems, I have now been informed that given the general condition that I have let my KLE get into (its my fault then, that will teach me not to use one in the winter) that they will not fix it, they pointed out things like excessive rust on the exhaust etc.

I think as other people have said you get what you pay for, still lesson learned I will not be purchasing Kawasaki again as they dont make them for UK weather.

Cheers all.

John