First time checking valve clearance

650ed wrote: Still no model in signature line? Why?

Thought i changed it the other day on my phone. Guess it didnt take. Should be there now

Yes; it's there now. Thanks!

Regarding the noise you hear at low rpm - how low are the rpm when you hear it? The KZ650 engine can make some rather nasty sounds if the rpm are below normal idle setting which is 950 - 1050 rpm. Also, if the carbs are not properly sync'ed (not just bench sync'ed) you can can noises deep in the engine at idle rpm. I believe both the low rpm and carb sync noises both come from the primary chain area. Ed

It makes the noise all the way up to about 2k then starts to quiet down

Have you adjusted your cam chain?
Steve

I have reset the timing since I accidentally dropped the chain while doing the valves. I'm not sure mine is adjustable? If so, how do I go about doing it

Do you have a manual?
Steve

Yeah. I don't recall seeing seeing anything about adjusting the timing chain but I'll look

The cam chain itself is not adjusted, but the 1977 KZ650 engines have a manual cam chain tensioner that should periodically be adjusted. Do NOT fiddle with it though unless you have the service manual in front of you, because when adjusting it you MUST FIRST turn the crankshaft to a specific position or you will makes things much worse. Adjusting it is easy to do, but impossible without the instructions. Ed

Think I found it

Sorry I don't think that picture posted. It sounds similar to the procedure for finding top dead center

If adjusting it doesn't quiet it down then opening it up and looking at the guides is in order,
Steve