TOPIC:

I have a newly aqquired 1976 KZ750 twin that I wanted to do some clean up on... The engine is in nice shape exept for those stupid philips head screws that Kawasaki used to attach the engine covers... they are all rusty. I tried using a screw driver but the screw heads crumbled...they seem stuck.

My question: Is there a trick to get the hardware out without damaging the treads and loosing the heads of the screw completly? Like by heating the area with a torch...

Impact driver.

Not the best picture, below, but it's the general idea.

Nice, low tech way to convince a stubborn screw that it's God, then you, then IT in the grand scheme of things...

Post edited by: Pterosaur, at: 2006/05/16 00:42

Yes...an impact driver,for sure.
AND...You'll want to replace all of those screws with either a complete engine bolt kit(stainless steel,from Z1 enterprizes...pretty sure Jeff Saunders has them for the 750)...or You can get Yourself a set of the valve-cover bolts that are chromed(from a 900 or 1000).Those have a 10mm head,and are much easier to loosen off and tighten.
By the time You get the screws removed,You won't like how they look anyways...got vice-grips too? ...You'll need em!
Good luck,BudB)

After your philips-head screw morphs into the rather disgusting and tool-proof cone-head screw, one thing to do is to use a small cutting disc on a dremel-type tool to change it into a slotted-head screw. then you need

• WD-40
• Liquid Wrench

or

• PB Blaster

to spray on it, and then the slotted-bit on the impact driver should turn it. Substitute hacksaw for dremel when necessary. Don't cut the slot all the way down the head or you'll wind up looking for a drill and left-handed bits when half the screw head breaks off.

Pterosaur wrote:

Hey, that's not a motorcycle!

And didn't your Dad ever tell you not to leave the hammer out in the treehouse or it will get all rusty?

Seriously though, who makes that impact tool?

Looks like a Craftsman to me Nevco

Definatley the way to go though. Along with a manual, and a digital camera, some of the most important things to pick up after picking up your old barn bike.