1977 KZ650 Manual Cam Chain tensioner

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1977 KZ650 Manual Cam Chain tensioner

28 May 2015 14:45
#674237
Hello all,

Being new to me, I have no idea when it was last adjusted. Any tricks or is it as straight forward as in the manual? Align timing loosen holder bolt, adjust tensioner bolt and tighten? Engine warm or cold?

I am not hearing a ton of noise, but as I mentioned I have no idea on when last done and am not terribly familiar with the raquet made by these fours what is considered "noisy".

What say ye?

R
1980 KZ 1000E2
Crashed 6/2016

1980 KZ550A
Sold 3/2016

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  • 650ed
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Re: 1977 KZ650 Manual Cam Chain tensioner

28 May 2015 15:01
#674240
No tricks, and the engine can be cold or warm. I've always used the instructions in the Kawasaki Service Manual for adjusting the tensioner on my '77 KZ650-C1 since the bike was new and never had problems. Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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Re: 1977 KZ650 Manual Cam Chain tensioner

28 May 2015 18:33
#674274
Yea, there is nothing to it. Set the engine to the correct mark, loosen the 6mm nut, then the 6mm bolt. This allows spring pressure in the tensioner to take up slack in the chain. Tighten the 6mm bolt, then the 6mm nut and you are done. The whole thing takes 5 minutes max. There is actually no adjusting that you actually have to do. The tensioner does all that for you. All you do is unlock it, let it do its adjusting, then lock it. It works well and reliable.
321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.

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Re: 1977 KZ650 Manual Cam Chain tensioner

28 May 2015 18:52
#674280
RonKZ650 wrote: Yea, there is nothing to it. Set the engine to the correct mark, loosen the 6mm nut, then the 6mm bolt. This allows spring pressure in the tensioner to take up slack in the chain. Tighten the 6mm bolt, then the 6mm nut and you are done. The whole thing takes 5 minutes max. There is actually no adjusting that you actually have to do. The tensioner does all that for you. All you do is unlock it, let it do its adjusting, then lock it. It works well and reliable.

Are you referring to the manual (aftermarket) tensioner, or the stock automatic adjuster?
1980 KZ750H LTD-- pods-- vance & hines 4-1 --speedo/tach/blinker/switch deletes -- brat style

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Re: 1977 KZ650 Manual Cam Chain tensioner

28 May 2015 19:20 - 28 May 2015 19:24
#674286
Randombeat wrote:
RonKZ650 wrote: Yea, there is nothing to it. Set the engine to the correct mark, loosen the 6mm nut, then the 6mm bolt. This allows spring pressure in the tensioner to take up slack in the chain. Tighten the 6mm bolt, then the 6mm nut and you are done. The whole thing takes 5 minutes max. There is actually no adjusting that you actually have to do. The tensioner does all that for you. All you do is unlock it, let it do its adjusting, then lock it. It works well and reliable.

Are you referring to the manual (aftermarket) tensioner, or the stock automatic adjuster?

Unlike some later models, the stock tensioner on the 1977 KZ650 is manual - not automatic. It is spring loaded, but not automatic, so you should follow a maintenance schedule to unlock it and let it take up the slack properly. Later models were automatic in that they didn't require manual intervention to set them (until they broke :laugh: ) Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Last edit: 28 May 2015 19:24 by 650ed.

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Re: 1977 KZ650 Manual Cam Chain tensioner

28 May 2015 19:23
#674287
Randombeat wrote:
RonKZ650 wrote: Yea, there is nothing to it. Set the engine to the correct mark, loosen the 6mm nut, then the 6mm bolt. This allows spring pressure in the tensioner to take up slack in the chain. Tighten the 6mm bolt, then the 6mm nut and you are done. The whole thing takes 5 minutes max. There is actually no adjusting that you actually have to do. The tensioner does all that for you. All you do is unlock it, let it do its adjusting, then lock it. It works well and reliable.

Are you referring to the manual (aftermarket) tensioner, or the stock automatic adjuster?
The stock tensioner that was labled as "manual" used up tihrough 1978. If he's talking of true manual aftermarket tensioner, disregard the instructions. No need to go aftermarket manual when the stock manual one never caused any problem in my opinion.
321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.

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Re: 1977 KZ650 Manual Cam Chain tensioner

28 May 2015 19:25
#674288
RonKZ650 wrote: The stock tensioner that was labled as "manual" used up tihrough 1978. If he's talking of true manual aftermarket tensioner, disregard the instructions. No need to go aftermarket manual when the stock manual one never caused any problem in my opinion.

+1 I've never had problems with mine either. Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

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Re: 1977 KZ650 Manual Cam Chain tensioner

28 May 2015 19:38
#674292
650ed wrote:
Randombeat wrote:
RonKZ650 wrote: Yea, there is nothing to it. Set the engine to the correct mark, loosen the 6mm nut, then the 6mm bolt. This allows spring pressure in the tensioner to take up slack in the chain. Tighten the 6mm bolt, then the 6mm nut and you are done. The whole thing takes 5 minutes max. There is actually no adjusting that you actually have to do. The tensioner does all that for you. All you do is unlock it, let it do its adjusting, then lock it. It works well and reliable.

Are you referring to the manual (aftermarket) tensioner, or the stock automatic adjuster?

Unlike some later models, the stock tensioner on the 1977 KZ650 is manual - not automatic. It is spring loaded, but not automatic, so you should follow a maintenance schedule to unlock it and let it take up the slack properly. Later models were automatic in that they didn't require manual intervention to set them (until they broke :laugh: ) Ed

Dag nabbit... Thought I could "adjust" mine...
1980 KZ750H LTD-- pods-- vance & hines 4-1 --speedo/tach/blinker/switch deletes -- brat style

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Re: 1977 KZ650 Manual Cam Chain tensioner

28 May 2015 19:41
#674293
Bought a new NOS spring for mine and there was a big difference in strength of it. Old one was notably shorter and weaker.
1978 KZ650 b-2
700cc Wiseco kit 10 to 1.
1980 KZ750 cam, ape springs, stock clutch/ Barnett springs.
Vance and Hines Header w/ comp baffle and Ape pods, Dyna S and green coils, copper wires.
29MM smooth bores W/ 17.5 pilots, 0-6s and 117.5 main
16/42 gearing X ring chain and alum rear JT sprocket.
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Re: 1977 KZ650 Manual Cam Chain tensioner

28 May 2015 21:49
#674311
So the question to be answered here is it a stock tensioner or aftermarket. Pics please. I replaced my stock one for a aftermarket one. I don't like it. Too easy to get it too tight. For a novice it could ruin the motor.
Please show a pic of what you have.
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

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Re: 1977 KZ650 Manual Cam Chain tensioner

28 May 2015 22:06
#674315
Stock tensioner. Job done. By the book went fine. Thanks. R
1980 KZ 1000E2
Crashed 6/2016

1980 KZ550A
Sold 3/2016

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Re: 1977 KZ650 Manual Cam Chain tensioner

31 May 2015 09:33
#674627
So, after a longish ride, the tensioner is leaking some oil at it base, not a lot but it is leaking. How does removal and replacement of the gasket go? Is it bolt and unbolt or is there load and little parts? Any help appreciated.

R
1980 KZ 1000E2
Crashed 6/2016

1980 KZ550A
Sold 3/2016

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