1980 kz1000 cam timing..searched, got manual, supp

Like i said, i bought a clymer manual for my bike (1980 kz1000 chain drive, EGR/SMOG motor
..thinks its an A4 pretty sure.) started to do the valve adjustment..screwed up my chain settings while doing it..there is no section for 1979 and newer in the manual i bought for cam timing marks.

I bought the supplement, must have got the wrong one cause it has no info on it either..i searched..my god did i search but the cam chain and timing marks are some of the only things with these bikes that are different..its like every year had a different set up.

I assume my crank to case mark should be on the line next to the big
T where the exclamation is- (T ! 1 4)?

exhaust cam arrow pointed towards head..then there is the info i can't get a solid answer on..do i count pins or line up the arrow for the intake cam or what? how many pins?

thanks for the help

the cams are timed with arrow facing forward centered on deck of front sprocket.
Starting with 1st pin above deck surface on front sprocket count 28 pins and that should land on timing mark of rear sprocket.

line right of T.....1 and 4 are top dead center

ADKBurntrubber87 wrote: ...1980 kz1000...started to do the valve adjustment..screwed up my chain settings while doing it....

For future reference, there's no reason to loosen the cams or to disturb the chain settings on the cam sprockets when checking and adjusting valve clearances on large Kaw fours.

One advantage of shim over bucket is that the shims are accessible for removal and replacement without loosening either camshaft.

Good Fortune!

I suggest you buy a Kawasaki Service Manual if you plan to work on your bike. If you have a table that is wobbly you may want to put that Clymer manual under one of the legs to make it more stable; that would at least make the manual useful.

Cam timing is same on 1980 as previous years, no new fangled marks were used, all were the same. Be sure and be sure 20x you use the correct marks or you'll bend valves.

Look Here:
www.kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/445033-79-kz1000-cam-timing-help

Thank you guys for the info..i was doing great last night i had everything lined up (i thought) lubed, went to put the tensioner in and whoops..i didnt have the lockbolt tight enough because the pushrod shot out and into my lower crank case.

I spent probably 2 hours trying to fish it out through the tensioner hole. i finally gave up and took the exhaust off, the cam cap and cams and then the cylinder head off. By the graces of god i fished it back out just barely. i let the head sit upside down with marvel mystery in the combustion chamber to see if any valves leaked and to clean the combustion chambers with scotchbrite.

spent another few hours putting everything back together..i'm glad i didn't put the headnuts back on because i'm pretty sure i'm off by a tooth looking at the pics from motorhead's link..i think i started counting on the wrong pin. now i'm going to loose sleep over whether or not i bent the valves playing around..oh well cams and caps have to come back off anyway.. i'll keep everyone updated thanks with the help so far, its much appreciated.

And Patton, I realize that now, was trying to get out of this without buying a shim changing tool (this was before i saw the motion pro one for $7) and it cost me in the long run.