replacing the cam chain

I'm gittin ready to replace the cam chain, guides and cams. Also gona do the shims and got the ape manual cam chain adjuster. Iv worked on a lot of chevys rebuilt a small block but this will be the first kawasaki. Any advise any thing I should know.
Thanks
Tom

Z1 Enterprises sells the cam chain and a master link, so you don't need to split the cases. Give them a call and they'll be glad to assist you with what you need. They have a different links for different years:

www.z1enterprises.com/SearchResult.aspx?...yWords=master%20link

depending on what you know of thehitory of the motor its not that big of a deal to split the cases and check the bottem end out,then theres no doubt about what you have down the road.

The engine has 25000 miles and started making a strange noise last fall and I read a post on this forum that suggested it might be the cam chain and with 25000 miles I might as well change it out. I looked at using the master link but then can u change the guides with out taking the cylinders off? I would like to do that because next winter i was going for more displacement and would be doing the complet5e tear down then. I will do it twice if I need to.
What do u guys think?
Thanks
Tom

thomas ed wrote:

The engine has 25000 miles and started making a strange noise last fall and I read a post on this forum that suggested it might be the cam chain and with 25000 miles I might as well change it out. I looked at using the master link but then can u change the guides with out taking the cylinders off? I would like to do that because next winter i was going for more displacement and would be doing the complet5e tear down then. I will do it twice if I need to.
What do u guys think?
Thanks
Tom

there is one rubber roller that you are gonna have to pull jugs to replace....the others you can get if you pull head..on my 78 1000 thats the deal...those rollers and sprockets are pricey little buggers.....keith

thomas ed wrote:

The engine has 25000 miles and started making a strange noise last fall and I read a post on this forum that suggested it might be the cam chain and with 25000 miles I might as well change it out. I looked at using the master link but then can u change the guides with out taking the cylinders off? I would like to do that because next winter i was going for more displacement and would be doing the complete tear down then. I will do it twice if I need to.
What do u guys think?
Thanks
Tom

Imo, 25000 miles is relatively low mileage and below that which might ordinarily suggest need for camchain replacement under normal spirited use and maintenance.

Strange noise -- what strange noise? At what rpm? Under what circumstances? Could result from any number of things besides something requiring an engine teardown.

For example, abnormally loud cam chain noise, especially at lower rpm's, is often attributable to carbs being out of sync, or other tuning needs arising from incorrect timing or advancer operation, or improper cam chain slack adjustment, etc.

Even a kinked drive chain can mimic engine noise.

Not to say that it couldn't possibly be a worn out cam chain at 25000 miles, just thinking it would be good idea to more postively acertain the source and reason for the "strange noise" before proceeding with replacement of the cam chain.

Just my opinion from the peanut gallery.

Good Luck!

since we are on the topic, what is the correct way to set the cam chain tension. I know there is an auto-tensioner but there has to be a right way to do it.

After motor is assembled, preload the adjuster...back out the bolt and snap....tighten bolt easy and set nut. Hardest part of a motor rebuild IMO.:laugh:

1978 or earlier works like Arai mentioned, 1979 or newer it is full automatic and no adjustment necessary. 1982 KZ1000 has a hyvo chain camchain I believe. I doubt a master link is available for that type chain, but I've never looked either so entirely possible. One more thing jzanutto, you'll be banned from here by having a non-KZ avatar :laugh: Well you're allowed as long as it's a RD, those bring back the good memories for sure

yeah well,,, why do they put so many extra unnecessary parts in the top of the engine??

also, I looked at Z1 for chains and one is like 35 and the other is 41. Is that 41 dollar one a lot better?

jzanutto wrote:

yeah well,,, why do they put so many extra unnecessary parts in the top of the engine??

The dealer's mechanics have to put their kids through college......:laugh: