Engine knocking noise

Hey guys, my 78 kz650 SR D makes a noticable knocking and clacking noise when it first starts up cold. At cold, low-RPM idle, it is very noticable, and on the center stand I can feel the knocking vibrating through the ground. Once it warms up, the noise goes away and the motor runs great, until I turn the motor off. Then you can hear it clack and clock as the motor turns off.

Any ideas as to what this could be? It's very embarrasing and annoying.

Omaha Rider wrote:

Hey guys, my 78 kz650 SR D makes a noticable knocking and clacking noise when it first starts up cold. At cold, low-RPM idle, it is very noticable, and on the center stand I can feel the knocking vibrating through the ground. Once it warms up, the noise goes away and the motor runs great, until I turn the motor off. Then you can hear it clack and clock as the motor turns off.

Any ideas as to what this could be? It's very embarrasing and annoying.

I have gotten the cam chain adjusted and it still makes the same noise.

A "click" is usually a loose valve. A "clack" is usually a rod bearing but it might be the primary drive chain slapping on things as it bounces around.

Primary drive chain?? Where is this located?

Sounds like the primary drive chain. It connects the crank shaft with some other shaft. Dont worry. Just synch the carbs. Maybe bring the idle up to 1100 or so

Omaha Rider wrote:

Primary drive chain?? Where is this located?

The primary chain is located in the approximate center of the motor and connects the crank to the secondary shaft that in turn drives the clutch.

Can I put this seat:

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OEM-Kawasaki-KZ6...&hash=item3ef5716d74

And this fender:

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KAWASAKI-KZ650-S...&hash=item53e496ad88

On my 78 Kz650 SR D?

try doing a carb sync lots of times the motor running uneven at low rpm will cause noises in the primary drive or in the clutch basket.also what rpm does your engine idle at.

Omaha Rider wrote:

Can I put this seat:

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OEM-Kawasaki-KZ6...&hash=item3ef5716d74

And this fender:

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KAWASAKI-KZ650-S...&hash=item53e496ad88

On my 78 Kz650 SR D?

Am pretty sure that neither of these would fit your 78 Kz650 SR D.
At least not as simple bolt-on replacements.

Fitment would likely entail frame alterations.

Perhaps someone having actual experience with this situation will come along to offer better or different advice.

Good Fortune!

Patton wrote:

Omaha Rider wrote:

Can I put this seat:

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OEM-Kawasaki-KZ6...&hash=item3ef5716d74

And this fender:

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KAWASAKI-KZ650-S...&hash=item53e496ad88

On my 78 Kz650 SR D?

Am pretty sure that neither of these would fit your 78 Kz650 SR D.
At least not as simple bolt-on replacements.

Fitment would likely entail frame alterations.

Perhaps someone having actual experience with this situation will come along to offer better or different advice.

Good Fortune!

Really?? So not all 78 kz frames are the same? Damnit! I don't like the fender and giant brick tail light on my current setup. That seat and fender would look soo slick.

Per kawasaki.com, 1978 KZ650 B, C, and D models each have a different frame. (see image below)

If needed, here's how to navigate kawasaki,com:
Click here > kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...w&catid=13&id=376734

Good Fortune!

[Click on image to enlarge view.]

D and B look very similar except for a few small brackets around the seat area. Hmmmm, one would think it would be cheaper to make the frames the same for all models.