KZ1000 Engine vibration

I have a 79 KZ1000 LTD with over 30k miles and I have the same problem. At 60 mph, my engine is running at 4000 rpms and it vibrates. It's tolerable, especially after you ride an old ironhead Sportster. I've never checked the rubber mounts on my engine though, as I always figured it was just solid mounted, thus why it vibrates. I don't have any baffles in my 4-1 header, so it is very loud, but I doubt it contributes to the vibration. I can't see out of my mirrors at 60 mph either, which I would like to fix. Anytime I go wide open on the throttle, the speedometer bounces around like crazy. I don't know if its just a bad cable, the gauge itself needs rebuilt, or if the vibration is causing it. Let us know if you figure it out!

your 79 is solid mounted the j model were the first with rubber mounts

timebomb33 wrote:

your 79 is solid mounted the j model were the first with rubber mounts

:laugh:
I guess I was right then. Thanks for the info

is having a hole rusted in one of my mufflers a problem. like 2 cylinders breathing better and causing it to be out of synch or something. i am just brainstorming here for something obvious maybe.

88alltrac wrote:

is having a hole rusted in one of my mufflers a problem. like 2 cylinders breathing better and causing it to be out of synch or something. i am just brainstorming here for something obvious maybe.

I 've always used a small rubber "motor mount" sandwiched between the cannister and bike frame to eliminate vibration from this area between cannister and bike frame. The mount is a small rubber cylinder with 1/4 inch bolts coming out both sides, about one inch long with male threads. Works like a charm.



Another pic in following post.

Here's a link, courtesy of "The Gringo"
www.karman.com/

Good Luck!

i wasnt worried about the vibes from that. i was more wondering about the difference in exhaust flow or back pressure. i guess it should be evened out by the pipe that connects both sides.

could something like exhaust or a centerstand or something be vibrating so much that i feel it in the whole bike. it isnt just something i hear. i feel it in the seat the pegs the handlebars. the whole bike buzzes. i find it hard to believe that a loose bolt somewhere could cause that much vibration.

is there anyone on this board that lives in or near Lincoln NE that I could meet and get a second opinion?

I completely tore the carbs down and cleaned them again and went back to using the airbox. no help.

Is there anyone somewhere here in southeast nebraska that would be willing to help me out? I could drive to you. Im just looking for someone who could drive it and try to help pinpoint what it could be or maybe just tell me it is normal. this will bug me until it is fixed.

does the vibration go away if you pull in the clutch. at that rpm.

not certain about when i am driving. but if i rev it in neutral on the center stand it vibrates.
i have been paying more attention to it lately. i realized that i barely feel it if at all in the grips. i feel it in the seat and more in the footpegs.
i have looked for loose bits but cant find anything so far. my exhaust isnt in the greatest shape. but i am not so conviced that something inside the exhaust could cause that much vibration.

i think it would help to get a second opinion on it. i can fix something pretty well if i know what is wrong. i guess i am just not so great at figuring out what is wrong.

will my bike run ok with the mufflers pulled off.
i think my next step might be pulling the mufflers and see if that changes anything. since it still happens when the bike is on the center stand i think i can rule that one out.