78 kz1000 shifting/head questions

I've removed the engine out of the kz in the process to finish my project before summer is gone. I noticed that while I spin the inner clutch basket I can shift the bike from Neutral to First, now when I spin the output shaft I can't get it to shift from First to Second. I understand that I'm no where near normal operating RPM's on the output shaft but is this normal?


The next question is about the head porting and polishing. I've already got to remove the valves from the head to clean the old oil and paint off so it's going to already be bare, how hard is it to use a dremel tool and port/polish it out. I've got a 1075 kit to install so I think it would make a difference on the bike. Anyone with good information please let me know.

Anyone recommend a specific timing chain?

I personally wouldn't want to polish my ports myself... there are specific flow chart diagrams that those guys use to maximize flow... send it to Larry Cavanaugh... he just did my valve work and polished my ports and did a wonderful job...
as for the shifting, I would imagine you'd encounter a lot more resistance going from first to second than first to neutral, but that's just me.

the transmission has to be moving in order for it to shift from first to neutral in other words it wont shift from neutral to second it is a design feature. porting is a very specilized art form you won't be able to do much with a dremel tool just can't remove enough material and if you don't know where to take material out it can actually make it worse. i use tusbaki heavy duty cam chain or d.i.d heavy duty cam chains latly i have been using d.i.d alot more .

It's a normal feature...Accually the bike will shift from first to neutral while the bike is stopped, the tranny does not have to be moving. But the bike won't shift from first to second or from neutral to second unless the tranny output shaft is spinning.
This is a great feature that the Kawaski built into the tranny so when you come to a stop you can knock the shifter up and alway hit neutral and not go into second by mistake.
You can disable this feature if you're so inclined but you have to remove the tranny to do it.

DON'T TRY TO PORT YOUR HEAD YOURSELF unless you have a few extra heads to play with first and some sort of flow bench to test your work.
You can install your 1075 kit, add some .410 drop in cams, some carbs and have a very good street engine, you dont' need port work unless this going to be a race bike and then the 1075 kit is way to small for a serious race engine.

Good luck,
Buzz

yes i miss typed what i was trying to say it won't go from first to second without it moving, stock. sorry about that

call Larry c. he is a very easy guy to talk to and very reasonably priced.

www.flowbenchtech.com/porting/CRH/kz-data.htm