Cost of machining a head

Can anyone tell me what an average ballpark cost should be for having my kz750 (4) head machined down around .020-.025?

Whoa, why so much?

Think we charge $80

APE charges $30.00 to surface a Cylinder Head. LC350 is the Part Number/Labor Code.

I would not expect to pay more than $75 to have it done. I paid $65 to have my turbocharged Z1 head resurfaced together with some cleanup on the intake mount area.

Things like that are relevant to where you live . Anything from $35 to $80 would be realistic. Pull the exhaust studs out and the intake boots off first or they may charge you a bit extra for their time to do that....

Kraz1 wrote: APE charges $30.00 to surface a Cylinder Head. LC350 is the Part Number/Labor Code.

Thanks for the input! Anyone know of a reputable place in the Milwaukee, WI area to have this done?

chrispysaki wrote: Thanks for the input! Anyone know of a reputable place in the Milwaukee, WI area to have this done?

There's a place called "The Shop" that works on vintage bikes. They are in Bay View. Call them and ask about machine shops. I have no experience with them. I do all my own work but my milling machine isn't large enough to mill a head. I sent my KZ1000 head to a shop in Fon Du Lac where my neighbor, who restores Austin Healys, has his machine work done. They did an excellent job. Beautiful finish and only took about .005" off and only charged me $30. PM me for more info.
Tom in West Bend

Jay if you happen to see this what does a .010, .020 or a .030 cut do for compression say in a stock kz750 or a kz650 with a 10.25 comp 700 kit?

Just pulled my kz650 head and I'm thinkin much more than .005 thou will touch the intake valve. I realize they'll remove the valves before cutting but Is this common for the valve to be sticking out of the head if you cut it .020 or .030?

wouldnt removing that much metal alter cam timing?

KZB2 650 wrote: Just pulled my kz650 head and I'm thinkin much more than .005 thou will touch the intake valve. I realize they'll remove the valves before cutting but Is this common for the valve to be sticking out of the head if you cut it .020 or .030?

I'm sure it depends on the head and whether or not it has been surfaced in the past, but I had seen it stated that about .020" would not clip the valve.

I would think that you would be able to keep (roughly at worst) the same cam timing but would want to check your valve to piston clearances to be certain.

But this is all speculation as I have not done this yet myself.