kz1000p engine vibration

I recently purchased a non running 1988 kz1000p. I changed the oil and cleaned/synced the carbs. The bike runs strong but has quite a bit of engine vibration with RPM. I have no idea when the last valve adjustment was done. Could this be the culprit?

If the engine has the automatic cam chain tensioner, get a manual one for better tightness of the cam chain. Follow the directions for installation.

This is a good one:http://www.clems-garage.com/CCT/
and a similar one is available at www.aperaceparts.com

Check the tightness of your engine mount bolts, as well as the condition of the mounts.

Define "vibration" if you are comparing it to alests a BMW then yes the KZ1000 vibrates more but if you are comparing it to harley davidson then it vibrates less.
My GPz1100 engine which is the same design as the KZ1000J is not as smooth as my KZ650 but it's not annoying.

The vibration is tied to RPM. When riding if I put in the clutch and drop the throttle the vibration goes away. If I then rev the bike the vibration goes up and down with RPM. The vibration is rather fast. More like a buzz in my feet when I have them flat on the boards. Also there is a whirring noise. If I were to guess I would say it is coming from the overhead cam or from the timing chain.

the crank is probably twisted

dbc92s10 wrote: the crank is probably twisted

Find TDC with a degree wheel on 1 AND 4. they should match.
Check the motor mounts and swingarm bolt.
Make sure the rear top one isn't bent.

Checking for a twisted crank will have to wait for the weekend. I sure hope that isn't my problem. When I bought the bike I knew it might be a pig in a poke. The bike only has 30k miles on it and looks good considering it is an '88. I have been riding for 30 years and have always worked on my own bikes. That experience tells me that the worse possible outcome is generally not likely. Maybe I got caught this time.

Keep the ideas coming. I'll keep you posted.

Okay, I set it up for TDC on 1 and 4 and measured through the spark plug holes on 1 and 4. The measurements were the same (1.130). I measured several times after rotating the crank one full revolution and was never off by more than 0.002. I think that's pretty good considering the carbon on the top of the piston. So I don't think the bike has a twisted crank.

Compression Test. Valve Adjustment. Dynamic Carb Sync. Check these for Power Balance, if off it can cause uneven running/ vibration.

I believe my vibration problems are nearly done. I did a better carb sync and replaced the motor mounts. I would say the motor mounts were shot. When I removed them they pushed out with no resistance. The holes into which they fit were gummed up with rubber from the mounts which I had to scrub out with solvent and then clean with soap an water. I then had to drive in the new ones, lubricated with KY jelly, with a dead blow hammer. I'm in the process of adjusting the valves now. Several were out on the high side of the range. I did check the compression and found them all to be at 150 psi +/- 3 psi, which I believe is good.

Thanks for all your help.