Stripped rocker box bolts on KZ1000P

Hey Everybody,
I have a 1996 KZ1000P that has four stripped rocker bolts, the four outside ones, that I am guessing are responsible for the oil weepage I am getting in those areas. I understand that this is a fairly common occurrence on these motors, but I have never had to deal with it myself.

Can anyone tell me what size these bolts are? I would also welcome some suggestions from those who have dealt with this problem, i.e. how did you fix it, heli coils, time serts, etc.

Thanks in advance!
Skip

They are M6 x 1.0 mm thread .
Helicoils or timeserts will do the job.

You need a manual. It's called valve cover AKA cam cover. No rockers.
Steve

The leak you see is often caused by dried out cam end plugs. They are rubber, half-moon shaped plugs that seal the cutout left from machining the cam journals. There are two on each side of the engine. They hide behind rectangular bits of aluminum bling. When properly installed, they will be leak free for a long time. Since you will have the cam cover (there is no rocker box) off anyway, you should replace the plugs and the gasket. A thin coat of Three Bond on the curved part of the plugs will help insure a leak free install.

As long as you are in there, checking the valve clearances would also be a good idea, especially if you do not know when it was last done, or if the guy who stripped the bolts was the last one to check.

Yes, a genuine Kawasaki Service Manual will be the best tool you ever buy for the bike.

Thanks for all of the replies, swest, I already have a manual, such as it is(Clymer). I keep watching online for something better, but they seem few and far between. TexasKZ...I have already had the cam cover off once when I adjusted the valves, and I do not remember plugs where you are talking about. I even looked at a blow up of the parts fiche on ronayers.com and did not see them there, either. I'm going to have to take that cover off to fix those four bolts, and re-check the valves, Ill see then.

The plugs are the ones facing the outside where the cams are. If they're loose I use High Temp. copper silicon to seal them. Mine are billet aluminum not black rubber.
Steve

Billet aluminum end plugs are notorious for leaking, due to the fact they cannot isolate engine vibration due to being solid vs the flexible black EDPM plugs, rubber is not the correct term for the ones that work the best, and don't forget the "Permatex Ultra Black Sealant".... Just my 2 cents.....
EZ

I use the high temp ultra copper silicon. I't stickier than regular and my caps don't leak. I started using clear silicon 40 years ago. It had a tendency to weep but it was better than nothing or anything else. The term "rubber" is generic. The problem with sealants is, some people use too much. Just make the surface tacky, don't gob it on. If some gets into the thread holes it could cause threads to strip or cause a crack in the casting when a bolt is installed. :ohmy:
Steve

Only way to heli-coil is with the proper kit, with the special tap & tool for heli-coil inserts.
The copper spray is great! (sprayed my Harley cyl. heads 18 yrs. ago) still don't leak.
Ultra black is great also!
Now, let the debate continue!
"HYLOMAR" permatex product. In the late 1980's The infamous "Elmer Trett" Top Fuel record holder at the time on his moutain magic III fueler built by another infamous person, chassis builder"Puppet" race visions design.
We'll Elmer told us that HYLOMAR was the only sealer that would seal up the head on his nitro kaw engines.
Back then the 4 cylinder nitro bikes would make about 6-700 horsepower. Elmar always put a full load of nitro in 95%. He could get 4 to 8 runs on a set of pistons.
But the head always sealed with hylomar. He used a credit card to smooth it out like a spatula.
Sorry for the tangent, but I learned a lot from that humble quiet Man!
Here is a tech sheet it is a pdf file.

Where's the tech sheet? I'd like to see it.
Steve

Won't load to this forum. PDF file. I'm lucky enough to load pictures.
But a little google will work.
High tech stuff for high end industry.
I used spray back in the day. On copper head gasket. Stuff never hardens, stays pliable. And reusable.
Here is the basic link.
hylomar.com/