kz750 ltd 1981 cam chain rattle

hi rt

thanks for your message!
i don't give up easily.
my dad, RIP, taught my biking brother
and i, 'do a job right, do it once!'

the bike hasn't run for a while. i've been
working away. it started perfect in the summer.'
idle steady at 950rpms.
then it got colder, like you're standing in a
freezer colder and then the cam chain/other
rattle started, it sounds like nuts in biscuit tin!
well nearly!

the tensioner was worn. just ordered
an ape manual one from the U.S
a lot cheaper than the UK.
$97 in the UK, $57 incl. shipping!

getting very excited about a quieter engine


i don't understand how your bikes work,
in your climate, yet mine suffers in cold
weather.

the fuel is fairly new, some weeks old.
i bought a por-15 fuel additive to stop
it going off, thoughts on this additive?
is it beneficial or a waste of $... ?

many thanks kzr's!

angel

my current bike doesnt additives dont seem to make much difference (allot of mile on her) my old harley and my goldwing run better with 104+ additive

stay after it i am sure you'll have her purrin again in notime the weather where i am is crazy wet rainy 20's-70's in same day cloudy wet to warm and dry

My '80 750 LTD will NOT run below 40*F here.And with the crazy ammount of "Black Ice" we get,I think sometimes it's smarter than I am!!!

My KZ650 will run at any temp. I've had it out and running when it is well below freezing. In fact, I run it for about 15 minutes every 2 weeks all winter (sometimes only in the driveway when the roads are salty or icy) to keep everything lubed and the battery charged. It likes the cold, dense winter air.

hi ya' all!

wishing everyone a happy xmas!.. not long to new year either! hic!..

i've been away and wanted to thank everyone with all the help with my bike!..

i've now removed the seized oem cam chain tensioner, this was one of the rattles that
sounded mechanically wrong!.. i've now replaced it with an APE KT1000 manual cam chain
tensioner and it certainly has quietened down the CCT. highly recommended!

i've now got another 'metal on metal' noise on start up?
the bike won't fire up due to this noise?
i've checked the following:-

1) starter solenoid/relay - it 'clicks'.
2) starter motor, great torque, this part has never been apart.
3) while the started was out of place. the oem manual advises
check the starter idle gear for turning freely CCW and this it does.
then i checked CW and it locks like it supposed to do.

Could it be a worn starter clutch? i can't do this myself as i feel it's too technical.

i've had someone make some videos for me, does anyone recognise the start up metal on metal sound.
it's sounds wicked?

many thanks for any advice given and wishing you all a very happy new year wrenchers and riders!..

angel
x
kz750 starter motor idle gear testing.MOV

3) while the starter

was out of place. the oem manual advises
check the starter idle gear for turning freely CCW and this it does.
then i checked CW and it locks like it supposed to do.

Could it be a worn starter clutch? i can't do this myself as i feel it's too technical.

Anybody who can convert this .mov file of Angels to a more PC friendly .mpeg or something would be appreciated. Post it in her thread so we Microsuck users can watch/ listen.

hi riders

can someone explain how to post videos
on here please. it has been a festive time
guys!....

many thanks

angel

hi kzr's

please see the attached videos, i've now converted them to *.mpg.

so sorry about not converting them. i've many formats on my complex system.

i don't know what this noise is. the usa engine in my bike has only done 6,800 miles.
on a 81. so very little use.

i showed the little videos to a local bike mechanic and he seems
to think that it's unused fuel that is caused a gas lock. he has asked
me to remove all spark plugs, then cover the cylinders with a sheet and start it up
to blow out any used fuel. this is give the false impression that it's a starter clutch
problem.

quote: "i need to take the engine out to do the starter clutch!"
this is not the case is't wrenchers?

many thanks for your constructive advice!

kind regards

angel

You don't need to take the motor out to do the starter clutch, you can get to it by taking the sump off. But first check that the battery is healthy - weak batteries don't have enough power to turn the motor over fast enough to engage the starter clutch properly.

You can get a replacement starter clutch if you need it from your Kawasaki dealer.

steelhorseangel wrote: hi kzr's

please see the attached videos, i've now converted them to *.mpg.

so sorry about not converting them. i've many formats on my complex system.

i don't know what this noise is. the usa engine in my bike has only done 6,800 miles.
on a 81. so very little use.

i showed the little videos to a local bike mechanic and he seems
to think that it's unused fuel that is caused a gas lock. he has asked
me to remove all spark plugs, then cover the cylinders with a sheet and start it up
to blow out any used fuel. this is give the false impression that it's a starter clutch
problem.

quote: "i need to take the engine out to do the starter clutch!"
this is not the case is't wrenchers?

many thanks for your constructive advice!

kind regards

angel

Attachment kz750adstartupnoisedec3112002_mpeg1video.mpg not found

Attachment kz750startermotoridlegeartesting_mpeg1video.mpg not found

Hi Angel, you will first need to upload the video file to a media hosting site such as YouTube. Photobucket or flicker may also allow video. Which ever you have an account on. Then edit this post and you can remove the bad links and replace them with a link to the YouTube or whatever site by pasting in the URL that you copied from that site. If you would like to embed the video in the post instead, there is a film strip icon that you will see when editing a post. Just click on that icon and paste the URL in there instead. Good luck.

Thanks for re-posting the videos in .mpeg Angel.
Now the second one where your turning the gear in one direction then it holds in the other, you cannot apply the same amount of pressure as will be applied under starting conditions. It does sound like the starter clutch. As others have posted you can service it with the engine installed on the 4 cylinder bikes. I would pull it out and inspect it, look close where the gear hub bolts to the Flywheel/ Rotor. There are three allen headed bolts that come loose. This could be your problem. The only special tool you might need is the Rotor Puller Bolt. Some use either the axle sahft or maybe the upper steering stem bolt, as one or the other is probably the correct thread and size. 18 x 1.5 mm I believe. All the parts should be available, and repalcing the roolers and springs would be the minimum. z1enterprises has a kit and the parts seperate for most models.