No longer a happy rider

got my bike up and running, runs really well. couldn't be happier with everything there, only problem is I seem to have noise coming from the primary chain The hard on is where I work on it is an hour ride away, that being said I can't ride my bike and take my car up so I need to bring everything up with me and get it repaired in a couple days. so other than a new chain and a full gasket set what else should I have with me? the bike only has 20k miles on it. I guess one thing I have going for me is I'll be working on it right by Dennis Kirk also what recommendations as to where I should get the parts? I seen that Z1 has the gasket set but it don't have case gaskets.

I don't know what kind of bike you have (please add the year / model to your signature line) but I doubt you need a primary chain if it only has 20k miles - that is unheard of. The primary chains on KZ's are pretty tough, so if the bike was so abused (let's say run with no oil) that the primary chain was shot in so few miles you would most likely have other major issues (like no compression).

What makes you believe the primary chain is shot? If it's making noise at idle you probably just need to sync your carbs. Ed

oops, thought I had it in my sig. guess I should have paid attention, I have a KZ750F1 83

as far as why, when I put it on the center stand in gear, and rock the rear wheel I can hear the chain hit the case, as well as engine noise at idle, have used stethoscope and it's coming from the center of the trans case. I originally thought about out the carbs being out of sync but after hearing the noise when rocking the rear wheel....

Get the gasket set from Z1 and the main case's do not use a gasket
just a sealer.
I used Hondabond when I had mine apart.

If you drop your oil pan you may be able to measure the slack in the chain. On the KZ650 the service limit is 27mm; the Kawasaki Service Manual should show the limit for yours (it's probably the same as the KZ650). Ed

I really doubt your primary chain is bad. I would start with a tune up including cam chain tensioner adjustment and synching the carbs. Out of synch carbs will make the primary chain rattle really bad at idle.
I have over 150,000 hard miles on the lower end of my KZ650 and it is still in good shape. That includes wheelies, burnouts, drag racing and road racing. I don't think the primary chain is your problem. Do some trouble shooting beyond rocking the bike back and forth before you tear into it.

650ed wrote: If you drop your oil pan you may be able to measure the slack in the chain. On the KZ650 the service limit is 27mm; the Kawasaki Service Manual should show the limit for yours (it's probably the same as the KZ650). Ed

+1 Should be less than 25mm, about an inch. If it is more than that, or if you see a damaged link, then it will need replacing. But check it like 650ed said.

you have all gotten me thinking, I'm going to check the carb sync in the morning, if I don't find anything there I'll pull the pan. where is a good place to get a pan gasket? I appreciate the input about this problem. I normally work on cars this is the first bike I've really gotten into.

I'll bet we've had this conversation over 100 times here on KZR, and it always comes down to carbs out of sync. I've torn down a lot of 750 four motors and I've never seen a bad primary chain.

A screwed up ignition timing advancer on mine that was letting the timing jump around at idle which was making the engine buck and I could hear the primary chain clack every time it kicked back.

dnestvold wrote: you have all gotten me thinking, I'm going to check the carb sync in the morning, if I don't find anything there I'll pull the pan. where is a good place to get a pan gasket? I appreciate the input about this problem. I normally work on cars this is the first bike I've really gotten into.

The oil pan gasket is still an "Active" part so any online or local dealer can order it for you. Ronayers.com lists it at $13.32. Ed

Are you POSITIVE you hear noise from the engine and NOT your DRIVE chain?? You said you could hear it when you rock the rear wheel back and forth, your DRIVE chain could be REAL loose and hitting the swingarm , if so I'd replace a chain that loose!!!

The PRIMARY chains on the KAWs are ALMOST bulletproof. I had a Z1000 with close to 90K miles and it was USED and ABUSED but NEVER had PRIMARY noise!!



HOGEATER(CHUCK)