TOPIC:

I was just wondering about the cam chain timing for a kawasaki z500.
In the FSM diagram it shows the chain starting from the first pin of a new link. described as pin 1 and so on all the way to 44 - 43 for the inlet cam.

My question was do you have to start on the first pin on a link or can you start from the second pin on a link if that is what lines up with the Head, or does that upset the timing?

As long as all the marks, crank, intake cam and exhaust cam, line up properly and you have the correct number of pins between, you should be good to go.

+1 Texas.

My zx550 motors have minimal camchain top run indent, (the top chain guide inside the cam cover indents the straight stretched chain )

On my 750 if I just tap the top run of the chain a little so just put a bit of slack in it, it pulls the inlet cam timing mark around a few degrees to be level with the gasket face.

I went back, and didn't worry about what link of the cm chain I started at and it is lining up flush with the Head.
Thank you for you help.

Please read the valve train warning in my signature. It explains why you don't install the valve cover before releasing cam chain tension. (The warnings are hard to find in the manuals.)

Also, there are better drawings of how to set up the cam chain timing. Some of the manuals are slightly vague.

... and just count pins. It doesn't matter where the side plates line up.

Thanks loudhvx I will make sure to do that.

Pin #1 is circled below.

Re camchain warning

I remember my 81 had more of a top run indent, my 750R1 and zx550 have very little. Maybe the later ones are like this?








Dialled out my zx550 cams, couldn't remeber the settings but i liked it. It was 108 / 112 very retarded, way off the factory settings, I was thinking lobe centres 105 and retarded a few degrees for max rpm power. This is with a skimmed head too, but with the earlier flat top pistons...before i melted one..

I don't know about the 750, but the ZX550 should have been about the same. It uses the same chain and sprockets (with different holes), and the pin count is the same. I doubt they would have changed the camshaft-to-camshaft spacing, as that would have changed a bunch of other things. It's probably that the chain was newer and less stretched, maybe?

Peraps kawasaki worked out that the front and tensioner blades take the stress and the top run can be tight, reducing friction here. Both my zx and 750r1 have the more modern squared off CV carb cylinder head .

But my 81 GPz550 motor I remember there was a definite indent in the top run, maybe thats why I went 112 lobe centre on the exhaust thinking the top run indent would take a few degees out.

Kaw advertises the ZX550 intake cam is 10 degrees advanced from the KZ550 intake. But using just the timing marks and lining them up with the head, (assuming pistons at TDC), the ZX550 is only about 7 degrees advanced over the KZ. If the chain were to go straighter, that would retard it further. It would be interesting to see where the actual cam lobe center ends up with the valve cover on and pistons set to TDC with everything assembled.

Correction: Thinking more about this the 750R1 does have an indent...I had it all lined up from the EX cam with the corrrect number of pins. The IN cam marking was just below the gasket line, upon pressing the cam cover on it moved the IN cam around a touch to line up.

It would be interesting to see where the actual cam lobe center ends up with the valve cover on and pistons set to TDC with everything assembled.

Makes no difference on my zx550 motor as I can see. replacing the cam cover and expecting to see some indent on the zx550 it didn't happen. On my 81 motor it was very noticeable, on my zx it isn't.

I'll recheck this very carefully in due corse, the next version will have oversize inlet and exhuast valves, a skimmed head, 0.5mm more cam lift and wiseco pistons, so the rebiuld cam timing needs to be very precise. Next time a more converntional lobe centre, but advanced a bit to pick up most midrange.