kz750 cam tensioner

I just picked up a 1976 KZ 750 . 17000 miles showing on odometer. Could someone tell me how I could check the cam chain tension and adjustment.Is there anything else I should check before heading out for shakedown trip
Thanks

1)remove contact breaker cover
2)remove cam chain tensioner cap and o-ring
3)Turn the crankshaft counter-clockwise (use a 17mm) while watching the tensioner pushrod. Keep turning the engine over counterclockwise until the rod at the center of the tensioner reaches its innermost position and stop. DO NOT TURN THE ENGINE CLOCKWISE.
4)Loosen the locknut and screw the pushrod guide until the ends of the pushrod guide and the pushrod are flush.

Thanx for a good description.

Does it matter if the engine is hot or cold ?

I suspect tha ny cam chain is a bit slack since it rattles when engine is cold and runnin on low revs.
Hope some tension will help.

/Arnold

You should do all this with engine cold. Most these engines rattle when they are cold, at idle. Mine rattles cold below 1500 rpm, but is OK when warmed up. The fact that they don't have a water jacket makes it more audible. With an automatic tensioner, there is really no adjustment. There is reset after you have disassembled it.

You could change the spring for a new one, or go with a manual. Some people say a manual tensioner makes it quieter, as you can simply make it tighter, but I, personally, am not so sure this does not promote more wear on the chain.

These engines also have a primary drive with not tensioner which may slap a bit. Kawasaki put a tensioner there on the last version of the KZ750 sold in the US; the ZR-7,to make it quieter and compete with the liquid cooled Suzy SV650.

Putting an automatic tensioner from a KZ after 1981 will solve the problem. They are a double wedge type and are foolproof. I had the same problem on my 650-E and it made it very quiet. Good luck. Bob

I saw that I had the automatic type so I could not adjust it. I still think it rattles a bit too much.

When I pulled the oil pan out I saw some bits of plastic probebly form the cam chain guides. Will replacing these reduce the rattle ?

[img size=(01-499)]H:\My Documents\My Pictures\Z750\Kawa 750 motor.jpg[/img]