Valve cover bolts

I just checked and adjusted my valves on the kz900 but can someone tell me how tight the valve cover bolts should be. If someone has a manual with the torque specs. that would be great.

95-113 INCH pounds,BudB)

I'd go less personally, as valve cover bolts will strip at 8 ft-lbs (96 in-lbs) trust me. Go 5.5 ft lbs (about 65 in-lbs). It does absolutely no good overtightening the cover as it won't help on leaks and the bolts won't vibrate loose at 5.5 ft-lbs. Go by the manual, but get your helicoils ready at 100 in-lb because you're going to need them. Same with the camshaft caps, don't care what the manual says as they will strip at torque over 65 in-lb. Aluminum in the head is very soft and seems to get softer with age and extended heat. They will strip, trust me as I've put a lot of covers on over 3 or 4 hundred thousand miles on KZs.

And don't forget your anti-seize!

Hey thanks for this thread, I was wondering the same thing!

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but I have another question, too.


How many FOOT lbs. does the the 'cam-holder' (on each cam there is like this plate thing that goes on each side of the cam, and there is 4 bolts in each cover). How tight do those go?

That is exactly what I was looking forit seemed like these would strip out in a minute thanks ronkz650.

cuddies wrote:

Hey thanks for this thread, I was wondering the same thing!

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but I have another question, too.


How many FOOT lbs. does the the 'cam-holder' (on each cam there is like this plate thing that goes on each side of the cam, and there is 4 bolts in each cover). How tight do those go?

I think your talking about the cam caps. They should be a light 7 lbs. Go slow and be carefull and it should work out. Damn I shouldn't have said anything cuz I'm putting mine back on next week and I'm sure to strip out at least one now!