KZ1000E (ST) cam chain

As I'm going to look at a KZ1000st with an engine rattle on saturday I was thinking of tensioning the cam chain to check if it is the rattle.

I'm just wondering if the tensioning process is the same as on a Z1 as I have the manual for the Z1 and know how to tension the chain on it. If it isn't the same, anyone want to give me a runthrough?

just like I did on mine

should be almost the same in fact it will be.they changed in 81 to the other style.i just roll it over to tdc no.1 and set the tension.

The ST has an automatic tensioner. No adjusting to be done unless someone replaced the tensioner with the manual type like you have pictured. Look at the tensioner on the ST, it should just have a 6mm bolt tightened flush to the body where the manual one has the longer bolt with several threads visible and a locknut like in your picture. If it has the manual type for some reason, adjust it, but never turn the engine over with the bolt loosened like those instructions say. There's a specific point the engine should be rotated to, then loosen the bolt and retighten it. On a 1000 I'm not sure exactly what that point is.

Some times the original ones stick a little and need help.Just lossen it up, 2 turns and retighten.The first automatic tensioners had some problems.

Thanks! Hopefully that is the rattle. If not, probably wont end up with the bike

it might also be the idler gear on top of the head

Well it has the rattle and it isn't running on #3 so if number three starts running with a new plug and if there's good compression across the board it may go either way even if it isn't the cam chain