TOPIC:

It was recommended by my local mechanic that I needed to get new gaskets and rings for my top end reassembly. I have ordered the full gasket set before, but never the rings. Can someone please point me to the correct rings for my 1982 KZ-550 LTD C3?

I have ordered parts for my bike before, and gotten pieces for a slightly different model, and I do not want to waste any time on reordering if at all possible.

Thank you!

I don't know where you can get rings for that, but I'm curious how you know you need them. Have you done a compression test (hot/throttle wide open/choke off/tester with check valve in the tip/fully charged battery)?

I'm not doubting you, but we get a lot of people who tear down a perfectly good motor because of some electrical or carb issue. My buddy ran across someone about to completely rebuild a motor, but talked her out of it. Later tests showed the motor was like new, internally. It wasn't even leaking any oil. But someone told her to start disassembling the motor, and that's what she was going to do. It only needed the charging system repaired.

Hi Lou,

I brought in my top end for the local mechanic to inspect for warping and other standard checks. I was also going to have them check out the bottom end, but they steered me away from that option, warning me that it would probably be an investment of a couple thousand dollars. So they advised me to slap everything back together, and run her to see what issues still came up. They said that I would need new gaskets, and that I might as well get new rings while I have it apart.

The background to this tear down, was that one of my cylinders was not firing at all. I let it sit for a couple months and started her back up, and she ran fine for a few minutes cruising around 40mph, then the issues would come up again once she was warmed up. We tested compression, and the measures for the cylinder that was not firing was almost a third of the other cylinders. There was also an oil leak somewhere, and with these two items, I decided to take her apart.

That could be caused by a valve badly out of adjustment. If one of them has no or very little clearance, when the engine warms up and the metal expands, the valve will not be able to close fully.

If you can get rings, might as well put them in now that you have it apart. Valve guide seals too.
Steve

At this point new rings are a good idea. It's just money! Check Partzilla for rings. Regarding gaskets, aftermarket gaskets range in quality from passable to pure shit. If you have green gaskets all hope is lost!

Do you recommend greasing the gaskets, or applying them dry? I have seen it done both ways, but I do not know what is best practice.

Thank you all for the replies!

I grease the valve cover gasket only. A dab of silicon where the cam plugs are.
Steve

Do you have brands that you can recommend or advise me to avoid? There are not may choices for gaskets on this model.

Kawasaki brand gaskets are by far the best. You can often find them for good prices on ebay. You have to buy piecemeal since Kawasaki didn't make kits.

rings can be had here
www.disastermotors.com/collections/pisto...-1980-1981-1982-1983

gaskets sets here
www.disastermotors.com/products/have-one...-1980-1981-1982-1983

oil seals here
www.disastermotors.com/products/kawasaki...-engine-oil-seal-kit