TO BREAK IN OR NOT TO BREAK IN THAT'S THE QUESTION

This winter, the plan is to do a top end rebuild on my 77 KZ1000. Using Std bore Wiseco pistons and rings, also doing a valve job. So after all is said and done , should a guy baby it for the first tank of gas or ride like you intend to from the start?? What is best to seat new rings? Any thoughts ?

first question, are you sure you will be able to use standard pistons and rings, the cyls may not be in spec and oversize may be needed.
I have always had the opinion, fire it up, set everything, timing carbs etc, retorque the head, make sure there are no leaks, and ride it, no baby stuff here

Std pistons ? Yes, If not the cylinder That's on it. I have a backup that checks out good. Just needs a quick honing.

Your bike was broken in 30 years ago. It doesn't need break-in again. The piston rings need to seat. Vary engine speeds and don't drone along at one constant speed.

wiredgeorge wrote:

Your bike was broken in 30 years ago. It doesn't need break-in again.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I follow the decal on my tach. It was good enough 26 years ago and should be ok now. I picked up a set of gauges off ebay last year and the tack still had the break in decal on it. Ring seating is the most important part of a break in so I take it easy. If I want to go fast, I just ride one of the other bikes....chris3

I just did a top end on my my 1100, for the first 500 I took it easy, tried to vary my engine speed as much as possible, as I got closer to 500 I started rev'n it a bit more when I drove. when I first got it together it smoked a bit, now it does not smoke at all, so the break in I did must of work.

Ive seen the downfalls of improper break in, mostly on the harley twincam engines I put together, break them in right, no problems, and ive had customers hop on the freeway and blast home for 100 miles, only to be back at my shop 2 days later with the cyl's and pistones scored up and destroyed.

If you're already going to the trouble of spending money on a top-end rebuild with Wiseco you may as well go for one of their oversized, big bore piston kits-I know I would.

My ring seating procedure is pretty simple. I ride it like I stole or rented it, change the oil and filter after 20 minutes, let it cool down, re-torque the head bolts, then just ride it.