Top End Failure

I just got my kz1000 1977 fired up last night after changing the timing chain and notice oil dripping from the front of the head above the exhaust. There was a hole in the head. Took it apart to find that a shim had dislodged and was smashed thought the front wall by the cam. Can I fix the whole or do I have to replace the head? Has anyone seen anything like this happen before?

Surprised you didn't hear the shim come out and clatter around. I suspect you can get the hole welded shut; perhaps even JB Weld it. If I tried to JB Weld, I might use some modeler's clay to form a dam to hold the epoxy in place as it dries/cures. I suspect plumber's putty would also work.

so the bike actually ran like that, no clang clang, misfiring, ect ect?

are you running some big cams? (maybe you need to go with shim under buckets?)

It can be welded.

Jay