1982 kz1000 j...stagger the rings???

hello guys..i am finishing up or should i say trying to finish the top end of my bike..the questions is i went by what my clymers book said on how to position the rings,,i have rings 1 and 3 in the front facing foward and 2nd right turned 180 to the back...is this the reason why i have no compression?? i have had the cams out 5 times thinking this was the problem but i followed directions to put them in time and still no compression...please can some one enlighten me on this stupid ass problem?? lol thanks in advance john..

that's not your problem try doing a leak down test it sounds like you may have installed the cams out of phase and bent some valves that will give you no compression. what did you use for timing marks.

well i used the T mark on the right side to set at top dead center as per clymers manual...and followed directions on setting the marks and did the count of the 44 pins to the rear mark....i never felt any binding whatsoever and this dam thing still has no compression..lol..i just got the head back from a motorcycle shop and the valves seem to open and close ok when cranking...i was starting to think it was because i put 1 and 3 rings open end foward..man this thing is driving me nuts..lol

trust me it won't be the rings it sure acts valve train related to me. even if the rings were completly out off the engine or broken it still would have some compression but if its got bent valves you are getting any have you double checked you valve clearances. because if the valves are staying open it wont build any compression either.

well it all started last year i lost compression in 3 cylinder..all the others had at least 140psi of compression..except 3cyl which had maybe 30psi..sent the head out had one valve replaced now after re-install none of them have compression..granted this is the first time for me doing anything major like this but i do work on cars and know how to read directions..lol..funny thing is the pics i took of how is was before i took it apart and the directions on how to set cam timing by the book is totally different by looking at the marks..could someone have moved the sprockets on the cams to cheat to advance the timing? i know usually with the stock cams the timing is non adjustable it only goes together one way..

usally if the cam timing is changed they use slooted sprockets and about the most difference you would be able to move them would be ten degrees thats not enough to bend any valves i know this may sound like a dum question but are you sure you have put the right cam in the right spot. you might be able to mix up the two.

man i am open to any suggestions at this point...that could be a possible...i could swear that i have the right ones in the right spots but im not one hundred percent sure..it seemed like they were in the right spot according to the manual...idk man i am so frustrated at this point.

the timing gears on the j cams are very strange compared to the older kz's i have to always double check my self. when your installing the cams the exhaust cam lobe on number 1 should be in line with the head toward the exhaust and the the intake should be inline withe the head toward the carbs the cam lobes in other words should be pointing 180 degrees apart in a horizontal line across the top of the head. hopefully this helps you figure out was done wrong or even to verify that you did it right.

so the intake arrow on the intake cam should be facing the carbs?? hhhhmmmm:dry:

if the sprockets are throwing you off just look at the cam lobes they have to be 180 degrees apart at tdc on no1.no 1 is the first cylinder on the left side of the engine. i have seen people get really confused trying to set-up cam timing on no4.

and thats what i am using to is number 4 cyinder,,,hhhmmmmm starting to become clearer...just figured 1 and 4 are at top dead center anyway..man this is really making my brain hurt..lol thank you so much for helping with your input...hopefully i will be able to ride before the end of the year..lol..god what a mess..lol..something that seems so easy

you wouldn't be the first that thought this stuff was easy, if you where the first i'd have to make my living as plumber or a proctoligist or something. sorry plummen i couldn't help myself.