81 ltd1000 cam timing

I can tear down a small block chevy and rebuild it. I have to replace the head gasket on my 81 LTD1000 K model and am unsure of the cam timing part. I would appericate any tips on this. Otherwise the Kawasaki dealer told me 300 labor plus parts today. I want to learn to tear this down if I want to build it.

The best tip is to get hold of a Kawasaki Service Manual for your specific year / model bike. It will have all the info you will need, including how to, pictures, torque specs, etc. I wouldn't begin that task without having the book in hand. Ed

I do have the factory manual and the clymer manual also. I am just trying to figure what all I will need to do it myself. head gaskets, valve cover gasket, igintion cover gasket. Isn't there copper gasket around the stud for the oil going to the head? Is there any tricks to getting the cams right?

Any tips?

Top end gasket set is all u need gasket wise. Complete set is nice so you will have the others if you need them. Copper gaskets you're talking about are just washers on the four corners. There's an o-ring between the head and jug assembly too. Some people use other products instead of o-rings but I used them w no problem. You are supposed to use new studs because they are stress bolts but I re-used the old ones. Re-surfacing your head is always a good idea. Make sure all gasket surfaces are totally clean before install. As far as the cams go, set your timing mark at crank , install exhaust cam first ,then intake. Tighten in a star pattern a little at a time before torquing to keep from stripping cam cap bolts. Don't over torque. Those bolt holes strip easy. Make sure marks are pointed the right way and install tensioner always make a few revolutions w a wrench on the crank before hitting starter button to make sure you are not bound or hitting a valve. Refer to manual. It's a life saver!

jonarmstrong wrote: You are supposed to use new studs because they are stress bolts but I re-used the old ones.

Where are you getting this information that says they are stress bolts and need to be replaced? Maybe on a different bike? The Kawasaki shop manual for this model says nothing about changing out the studs. The only time I have ever changed them is when I replaced them with APE studs when doing a performance upgrade.

Either from this forum or kawisaki motorcycle forum. My manual doesn't state it either but I had a broken stud and was told they were stress bolts. As I said, I re-used mine along w one from another engine I have to replace the broken one because ape studs were out of my price range a year ago when I rebuilt my engine. And as I also said, I've had no problem w them. Thanks for the info. I thought it was a little overboard to replace them every time the head was taken off