NHTSA Complaint #10691918 — 2008 KAWASAKI KL650E8F

THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE MACHINING OF THE OUTER LEFT SIDE ENGINE CASE. THE SOCKET IN THE CASE FOR SUPPORTING THE SHAFT FOR THE STARTER GEAR WAS MACHINED TOO DEEP THEREBY ALLOWING THE SHAFT TO MIGRATE INTO THE CASE FAR ENOUGH TO ALLOW THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SHAFT ON THE ENGINE SIDE TO BECOME COMPLETELY UNSUPPORTED CAUSING POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE THRUST WASHERS ON THE GEARS TO FALL OFF INTO MOVING PARTS OF THE ENGINE CAUSING SUDDEN SEIZURE OF THE ENGINE RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH. *TR