Valve seals

  • daveo
  • daveo's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • Premium Member
  • Premium Member
    Registered
  • Posts: 2929
  • Thanks: 752

Valve seals

19 Mar 2015 07:24
#664919
I pick up my 84 ZN 1100 head from the shop, and the guy says the original low mile OEM "valve seals are in great condition, and there's no reason to change them" :huh: That after I sent along a set of Viton seals to replace them with.
Even after 31 years, he says "they are still nice and soft, and there was no evidence of oil seeping past"

I like working with the guy, and trust him...so, why change them?
1982 KZ1100-A2

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • barney
  • barney's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 443
  • Thanks: 36

Re: Valve seals

19 Mar 2015 07:32
#664920
Well its up to you but Viton is far superior to OEM rubber
The following user(s) said Thank You: daveo

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • zed1015
  • zed1015's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 3149
  • Thanks: 1763

Re: Valve seals

19 Mar 2015 07:41
#664922
False cheapskate economy and to be honest I,d be dubious of his judgment and competence.
You need to fit new ones at this stage.
It's a no brainer not to replace them and could/will result in a costly and unnecessary top end strip in the very near future.
The suppleness of the material does not guarantee that they are not worn out or on the verge of failing.
AIR CORRECTOR JETS FOR VM CARBS AND ETHANOL RESISTANT VITON CHOKE PLUNGER SEAL REPLACMENT FOR ALL CLASSIC AND MODERN MOTORCYCLE CARBURETTORS
www.kzrider.com/23-for-sale/611992-air-c...lide-mikunis?start=0





The following user(s) said Thank You: daveo

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • daveo
  • daveo's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • Premium Member
  • Premium Member
    Registered
  • Posts: 2929
  • Thanks: 752

Re: Valve seals

19 Mar 2015 07:50
#664924
zed1015 wrote: False cheapskate economy and to be honest I,d be dubious of his judgment and competence.
You need to fit new ones at this stage.
It's a no brainer not to replace them and could/will result in a costly and unnecessary top end strip in the very near future.
The suppleness of the material does not guarantee that they are not worn out or on the verge of failing.

:cheer: Well, I'm glad I asked...the head is going back, and the Viton seals are going-in.
Thanks guy's!!!
1982 KZ1100-A2

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • zed1015
  • zed1015's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 3149
  • Thanks: 1763

Re: Valve seals

19 Mar 2015 08:22 - 19 Mar 2015 08:24
#664925
Sounds like he may have forgot to fit the new ones and then made up an excuse so as not to have to strip out the head again to fit them.
Probably hoped you would buy his explanation and not lose his hourly rate having to rectify the job for free.
AIR CORRECTOR JETS FOR VM CARBS AND ETHANOL RESISTANT VITON CHOKE PLUNGER SEAL REPLACMENT FOR ALL CLASSIC AND MODERN MOTORCYCLE CARBURETTORS
www.kzrider.com/23-for-sale/611992-air-c...lide-mikunis?start=0





Last edit: 19 Mar 2015 08:24 by zed1015.
The following user(s) said Thank You: missionkz, PLUMMEN

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • daveo
  • daveo's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • Premium Member
  • Premium Member
    Registered
  • Posts: 2929
  • Thanks: 752

Re: Valve seals

19 Mar 2015 08:32 - 19 Mar 2015 08:36
#664926
Zed, that sounds about right...again, glad I asked!
Something I'd always question, if I hadn't.
1982 KZ1100-A2
Last edit: 19 Mar 2015 08:36 by daveo.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • SWest
  • SWest's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • Sustaining Member
    Registered
  • 10 22 2014
  • Posts: 23384
  • Thanks: 2902

Re: Valve seals

19 Mar 2015 08:55
#664927
At this point I'd want to inspect the valve job. Did he cut corners there too? OEM rubber gets hard in a relatively short time. I'd want to see the grind and then check if he didn't hog out too much material. I'd be there while he is doing it.
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • bountyhunter
  • bountyhunter's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 7245
  • Thanks: 338

Re: Valve seals

19 Mar 2015 14:49
#664953
daveo wrote: I pick up my 84 ZN 1100 head from the shop, and the guy says the original low mile OEM "valve seals are in great condition, and there's no reason to change them" :huh: That after I sent along a set of Viton seals to replace them with.
Even after 31 years, he says "they are still nice and soft, and there was no evidence of oil seeping past"

I like working with the guy, and trust him...so, why change them?

TERRIBLE ADVICE in my humble opinion. They are cheap and easy to change when the heads off. You will also get much better service if you get some VITON seals compared to stock rubber. Both times I hadto rebuild mine, it was because the seals failed.
1979 KZ-750 Twin

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • SWest
  • SWest's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • Sustaining Member
    Registered
  • 10 22 2014
  • Posts: 23384
  • Thanks: 2902

Re: Valve seals

19 Mar 2015 15:28
#664956
My bike sat for 15 years with a fresh valve job. When I put it beck one the road, it fowled plugs and smoked at start up. When I went to change them, they fell apart. Bad advice.
steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • DFIGPZ
  • DFIGPZ's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 618
  • Thanks: 121

Re: Valve seals

19 Mar 2015 18:38 - 06 Apr 2015 01:43
#664980
No way would I put one back together W/O viton seals
1984 750 Turbo
Last edit: 06 Apr 2015 01:43 by Patton.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • daveo
  • daveo's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • Premium Member
  • Premium Member
    Registered
  • Posts: 2929
  • Thanks: 752

Re: Valve seals

20 Mar 2015 09:17
#665029
DFIGPZ wrote: No way would I put one back together W/O viton seals I have them available.

Done...awesome advice!
Thanks guy's!
1982 KZ1100-A2

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • DSummerlin
  • DSummerlin's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 96
  • Thanks: 10

Re: Valve seals

20 Mar 2015 17:11
#665069
I took my head to my machine shop with new seals I had just put in (long story) and he requested a fresh set. I brought a fresh set.
78 KZ650
82 KZ1000 LTD
99 ZRX 1100

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: Street Fighter LTD
Powered by Kunena Forum