82 kz1000 cam chain removal

I can see from pulling my carbs, that the intake valve on cylinder 1 is really rusted, so I want to pull the head and put in new valves atleast, I figured I'd send the head to machine shop and get it decked, all new valve guides, new valves, etc.

Well I went to pull the head today, and realized I need to get the cam chain loose, I'm used to pushrod engines, but I cant figure the damn thing out.

In all the pictures I see, between the cams, the chain dips down and there's a tensioner, but my chain is straight across, and very tight, I don't see a tensioner, or a master link. I just don't see any logical way of getting the head off.

And while were here, do I have a J or M model engine?

The usual reply to this question about how to remove a cam chain or indeed any mechanical work is of course.......do you have a manual? All that info is in there, may even have the type of motor you have too. You will need the manual at the very least when you go to reassemble it all.

A factory shop manual is essential. If you want to pm your email address, I can send you a pdf version.

The cam chain tensioner is on the rear of the block. Once it is removed, you can remove the camshaft s and then the head. If you are not removing the block, then you should tie a string or wire around the chain so you can retrieve the chain later. If you are going to replace the chain, the usual method is to split the cases and remove the crankshaft.

A 1982 KZ 1000 should have the 998cc J engine. As far as I know, there was no M engine, but there was an M model.

The manual I have is black and says Kawasaki KZ1000 and KZ1100 Service manual on the front with a picture of a black bike. not year specific

Oh and about the J/M comment, I've gotten a lot of parts from KZ enterprises, and on their page, if you search by model, it lists

KZ1000 J1 1981
KZ1000 J2 1982
KZ1000 J3 1983
KZ1000 K1 1981 LTD
KZ1000 K2 1982 LTD
KZ1000 M1 1981 CSR
KZ1000 M2 1982 CSR

Mine is an 82 CSR,

If I understand the original post correctly, you asked about the model of the engine, not the model of th motorcycle. They are different. All the 998 cc motorcycles (M, K, l, etc) had the J model engine. The 1982 CSR 1000 had the J model engine.

Oh, and there is also the MKII engine, found in several models.

It looks like my tensioner is one the back side of the engine, the manual isn't very clear, but it seems that I can either remove it, or just loosen it. We will see.