Cam chain adjustment, and engine tick, tap

Hi again,

I have an 81 kz550. I tried searching this one but turned up little or no results.

After the engine warms up it begins to tick or tap. If it were my car making this sound, I would say a lifter tap.

Anyway, I am going to be checking the valves soon, just gotta find the time. I had a similar sound from my honda, and adjusted the cam chain, set the valves, and it went away.

I cannot seem to find out how to adjust the cam chain on this bike. I do have a manual, and it only gives a slight description on how to remove and install the chain and tensioner. can the cam chain be adjusted on this bike?

Thank you

Cam chain adjust is done automatically. 90% of all valve noise is actually exhaust leaks. Check around the emissions ports on top of the engine and your exhaust pipes into the head particularly if they have been worked with recently. Funny how exhaust leaks can really throw a curve and the fact it's worse when hot points more to the exhaust than the valves.

shizzomynizzo wrote:

Hi again,

I have an 81 kz550. I tried searching this one but turned up little or no results.

After the engine warms up it begins to tick or tap. If it were my car making this sound, I would say a lifter tap.

Anyway, I am going to be checking the valves soon, just gotta find the time. I had a similar sound from my honda, and adjusted the cam chain, set the valves, and it went away.

I cannot seem to find out how to adjust the cam chain on this bike. I do have a manual, and it only gives a slight description on how to remove and install the chain and tensioner. can the cam chain be adjusted on this bike?

Thank you

The cam chain tensioner, attached to the cylinders underneath the carb holders, is supposed to keep the cam chain tension adjusted correctly. Designs have evolved toward requiring less active maintenance. On models where periodic attention is required, it is typically a routine maintenance item which should be covered in the manual, and doesn't involve removing the cam chain or valve cover.

Cam chain noise (as opposed to tappet noise) may be reduced by having correct tension. And is further reduced by having closely synched carbs.

Even correct valve clearances often tick.
When there're clickin' they aint stickin'. :lol:

Good Fortune!

So am I supposed to adjust the cam chain? at one point you say its supposed to be automatically, and then say its covered in the manual. I can't find anything in the manual, looked in the index, everything with reference to the cam chain and maint.

I don't think its an exhaust leak, but I could be wrong. I will check it out. I do have to sync the carbs, I just received my carbtune today.

thanks again

shizzomynizzo wrote:

So am I supposed to adjust the cam chain? at one point you say its supposed to be automatically, and then say its covered in the manual. I can't find anything in the manual, looked in the index, everything with reference to the cam chain and maint....

Z1 and KZ900 tensioner has a bolt that's loosened to allow an internal spring to apply correct pressure against the cam chain slider. Then the bolt is re-tightened, whereupon the tensioner adjustment is completed.

This pic from kawasaki.com of 1981 KZ550 tensioner doesn't seem to show any adjustment potential. So perhaps none is needed.

Maybe an internal tensioner spring has weakened, or possibly the cam chain has stretched beyond specs --- just guessing.

Good Fortune!

[Click on image to enhance view.]

Is the ticking a normal sound for these engines?