KZ440 Timing advancer...Rebuild?

Hi guys,

I have a 1981 KZ440LTD. I was having some performance issues (wouldn't get up to speed at all) and started looking at the manual and at the forums. Realized my timing advancer was stuck. I did a stupid thing and put some oil on it and tried to work it loose. The trying to work it loose did not go well and I broke off the little tab on one of the arms. It is the little nub that makes the cam move. I cannot find any replacement parts.

This is an electronic ignition (no points).

So here are my questions:
1) how do you get the bolt loose in order to get the timing advancer out... My bolt is seized. So far a little WD-40 is what I have put on it...

2) is it possible to rebuild the timing advancer? As far as I can tell, all I need is one of those "arms". Has anyone pulled one of these apart and put it back together? If it is possible to rebuild it using the arm from another timing advancer, does anyone know any specific advancer model I should be looking for?

I have the shop manual and clymers manuals... but please explain like I am 5 years old.

Thanks so much,

This could be the Kaw number, 21148-1021

The bolt (not the locking nut under it) should just come loose but if the bolt breaks, you can slide the nut and advance plate off and the figure out how to get the bolt out of the crank end by various methods later.
As far as the advancing weight goes, I'd go to a moto junk yard and get one, the whole thing couldn't cost more the $25 at a moto bone yard... there were thousands of these made.
If not found, and there is no other solution, I think any small weld shop worth a darn could burp a little tab on there where you could file it to fit the groove in the advance cam bushing.

Use a penetrating oil. Kroil is supposed to be best. Liquid Wrench penetrating spray lubricant is good, readily available & cheap. (wd40 isn't really a penetrant). I would try to get a replacement advancer on eebbaayy. You can probably use one from any 440 w/ electronic ignition (1981-&-on. maybe an 80 model, but those are supposed to have points ignition, so maybe not).

I think mission nailed it. The bolt is a 13mm. The nut is meant to be used to turn the crank. It's 17mm. If you cant get the 13mm to budge, tap it with a hammer. I don't mean HAMMER ON IT. :woohoo: It should come off easally. :whistle:
Remember;" righty/tighty, lefty/ loosey." :laugh:
Steve

The crank turns backwards on the KZ400/440 com paired to the 4 cyl. engines.


.

That explains it. Left hand threads. :huh:
Steve

YIKES!! I did not know it had left hand threads on the crank end! The could really mess up a lot of DIY'r, home shop mechanics.

Yeah, that could make for a FK'ed up day alright. :ohmy:
Steve

bakerco3 wrote: Hi guys,

I have a 1981 KZ440LTD. I was having some performance issues (wouldn't get up to speed at all) and started looking at the manual and at the forums. Realized my timing advancer was stuck. I did a stupid thing and put some oil on it and tried to work it loose. The trying to work it loose did not go well and I broke off the little tab on one of the arms. It is the little nub that makes the cam move. I cannot find any replacement parts.

This is an electronic ignition (no points).

So here are my questions:
1) how do you get the bolt loose in order to get the timing advancer out... My bolt is seized. So far a little WD-40 is what I have put on it...

2) is it possible to rebuild the timing advancer? As far as I can tell, all I need is one of those "arms". Has anyone pulled one of these apart and put it back together? If it is possible to rebuild it using the arm from another timing advancer, does anyone know any specific advancer model I should be looking for?

I have the shop manual and clymers manuals... but please explain like I am 5 years old.

Thanks so much,

Kroil is way better than WD-40 for freeing stuck parts. Yes, you can rebuild an advancer. I did on my 750 twin, I had to make new springs which was a royal pain in the ass.

I have seen advancers on ebay.

swest wrote: That explains it. Left hand threads. :huh:
Steve

The timing advancer on the 440s, at least the two I own, are not left hand threaded.

dom2570 wrote: The timing advancer on the 440s, at least the two I own, are not left hand threaded.

That seems to be correct, as the 440s have the same timing advancer bolt as my 81 650-CSR & it is RH-threaded.
If the crankshaft spins counterclockwise, then I guess a locking agent is kinda important.

The only left had threaded bolt on the kz440 that I am aware of is the center bolt on the crank that holds the generator on.