Points cover question..

Just ordered a 1978 cover off ebay for my 1980...pretty sure it will fit. After examining it though it has a little notch in it as shown in the attached pics. Is this supposed to be here? Im guessing someone accidentally notched it in somehow (I know I have been guilty of this with a dremel on a stripped screw) and am leaving me to deal with it. I used JP Weld on my notch in my carbs and am thinking I can do the same here. Thoughts?

Is that notch where the wires from the points or electronic ignition exit? It looks to be in about the right place.

If not and if you have no need of it then JB weld will fill that no problem.

Thaaat's right...I haven't gone outside yet to check it out yet since I ordered it lol. Thanks for the easy answer, hopefully!

possible condensation hole?

I believe that notch is intended to prevent oil from accumulating inside the case and fouling the points if the crankshaft oil seal or oil pressure sensor leak. I don't know about later KZ650 models, but early ones also have a little hole drilled through the engine case near that notch in the cover for the same purpose. Don't plug it; it is supposed to be there. Ed

FSM pic of inner cover doesn't extend to the hole location area :



For comparison, Z1 has in the inner cover -- a separate part -- a wiring grommet hole and a vent (weep?) hole.






Good Fortune!

It's a vent DO NOT fill it with JB weld.
If the cover is sealed air tite it will ionize the air inside and will become conductive
grounding the point's.

zukdave wrote: It's a vent DO NOT fill it with JB weld.
If the cover is sealed air tite it will ionize the air inside and will become conductive
grounding the point's.

Interesting.
Wondering if for similar purpose with electronic ignitions such as J model.
Perhaps more correctly described as a "vent" hole instead of a "weep" hole.


Z1 has a separate inner engine cover:






Thinking, but not positive, that the KZ650 doesn't have the separate inner cover.

Good Fortune!

The hole, for whatever its designed purpose, should be left open.

Air vent
and/or
weep hole to allow water from condensation to escape
and/or
drip hole to allow unwanted accumulation of oil to escape
? ?

Good Fortune!

Patton wrote:
Thinking, but not positive, that the KZ650 doesn't have the separate inner cover.

Good Fortune!

Correct. The points cover on the KZ650 attaches directly to the engine case. Ed

Glad we have a consensus not to touch it. Heading to the garage this morning to take a look at my franken-cover shows that it has.its own notch. Going forward, do these older bikes develop any problems with the points that I should look for when changing the cover?

Here's some pics of what the previous owner threw together on the cover..

oredigger wrote: Glad we have a consensus not to touch it. Heading to the garage this morning to take a look at my franken-cover shows that it has.its own notch. Going forward, do these older bikes develop any problems with the points that I should look for when changing the cover?

The points and condensers should be replaced about every 6 - 8,000 miles as part of normal maintenance. If you don't know the last time yours were replaced they probably are due. Also, the little felt wick should have some (not TOO much) ignition grease put on it while you have the cover off. If you need some guidance on the procedure for replacing the points, let me know. Ed