cam timing/chain wear

hey all,

just a question regarding timing my cams. When i line up my cams (before tightening everything down) at 36 pins, the arrows line up nicely with the mating surface of the head. The problem is, that once i tighten all the caps down, and adjust the tensioner, the intake cam arrow is about 1 pin under the mating surface of the head....

I have taken the cams out and made sure i haven't missed a tooth about 8 times now. Tried with the arrows at different locations on the head trying to get them to line up properly after tensioning everything to no avail. If the spec was 35 pins, this would line up perfectly, but it just isnt the case.

I am assuming this is likely due to the cam chain being stretched

beyond service limit? What i wonder is, can i ride the bike this way while i wait for a replacement chain? I have rotated the engine by hand, and the pistons havent come in contact with any valves. Any thoughts on this?

I have attached a picture showing what my setup sort of looks like. Imagine the red line is on the intake side of the engine.




Thanks for the help.
It is a 1977 kz650.

I just had this same problem on my 79 kz750 twin. Everything lined up but after tightening the cam chain adjuster it was off by a pin or two.

I just kept at it and after about 5 attempts or so it finally lined up correctly.

I think the slack in the cam chain is the issue.

I see that your diagram is not from the Kawasaki Service Manual. Do you have that manual for your specific bike, and are you following the instructions in the manual for setting the cam timing properly? Below is the correct diagram. Ed

Ed, i do have the correct manual. just grabbed a quick picture off google to demonstrate the issue.

pbmax wrote: I just had this same problem on my 79 kz750 twin. Everything lined up but after tightening the cam chain adjuster it was off by a pin or two.

I just kept at it and after about 5 attempts or so it finally lined up correctly.

I think the slack in the cam chain is the issue.

hmmm maybe i will just keep trying. sure takes a lot of time removing all 16 bolts and the idler sprocket every time!!!

Ed, i do have the correct manual. just grabbed a quick picture off google to demonstrate the issue.
hmmm maybe i will just keep trying. sure takes a lot of time removing all 16 bolts and the idler sprocket every time!!!
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Yup!! Time, fear of the unknown, money if you won't do it yourself and it's a PIA.... is why there so many KZ bikes out there running poorly with lousy cam, chain and valve clearance problems.

Here here. Don't forget to count starting at the next pin up.
Steve

Mine was always a tiny bit lower on the intake (half a pin) and a half a pin higher on the ex....... Are they equal with the 36 pins count ...... slightly down on the in and up on the ex ? Mine lined up perfect after the new rubber wheel and Liska was put on but at the 100 mile mark it moved slightly and after the 600 mile check it was back to a half a pin under the surface on the intake and a half a pin higher on the ex .......... like you said from chain and sprocket wear.

I didn't replace the chain as I didn't want to split the case and don't trust a re rivet job on the new link. Then you've got 3 sprockets to replace too if you want it all new so I kept them too..........See what others think but from what I've read everyone's are slightly retarded from wear on here...... Maybe a close up pic ?

KZB2 650 wrote: Mine was always a tiny bit lower on the intake (half a pin) and a half a pin higher on the ex....... Are they equal with the 36 pins count ...... slightly down on the in and up on the ex ? Mine lined up perfect after the new rubber wheel and Liska was put on but at the 100 mile mark it moved slightly and after the 600 mile check it was back to a half a pin under the surface on the intake and a half a pin higher on the ex .......... like you said from chain and sprocket wear.

I didn't replace the chain as I didn't want to split the case and don't trust a re rivet job on the new link. Then you've got 3 sprockets to replace too if you want it all new so I kept them too..........See what others think but from what I've read everyone's are slightly retarded from wear on here...... Maybe a close up pic ?

Appreciate the input. I really dont feel like i have missed a link or anything due to improper installation. i will take a photo when i get home from work for you guys to have a better look.