KZP engine rebuild

swest wrote: Looks like a low spot at the ridge.
Steve

Yeah, Now that I've had some time to look more closely at it I think I am going to go with new pistons.
I noticed several Wiseco kits on eBay but they stop at 1980. Mine is a 2001.

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationAnyone had experience with IMD?

Those IMD pistons look pretty good but I don't have any information on them. They make pistons for the 750/4 engines too. In my opinion I'd rather have some 1mm or .5mm oversize pistons compared to 3mm oversize like a big bore kit because the liners tend to get quite thin.

Thanks Nessism, I agree about the liners getting thin. I want to build this bike to put on a lot more miles.
Partzilla has stock OS pistons for between $375 and $396 including rings, etc. Hopefully someone has run these IMD pistons, I hate being the guinea pig...

Why not hone a nice set of low-mile jugs (off ebay), and fit a good set of Std. ART pistons with new Kawasaki OEM rings?
IMO that would go a long way down the road, and save $$$ to get you there.

Could be an option. If I can find low mileage jugs. Where do you find ART pistons? I went to their web site and they look like they are made in India like the IMD pistons. Not necessarily a bad thing.

Original, genuine, OEM Kawasaki pistons have "ART" molded in the side of each piston. I don't know what it means beyond that.
I went that route primarily because of expense, and wound up with essentially a new original top-end below the cylinder head on my engine.
Had four new STD size pistons and ring sets purchased for about $130 (ebay), and the low-mile jugs were $80 (ebay) plus $50 to have professionally honed.
The Spring 2015 top-end project (including the 84' cyl. head and cams) cost about $700, plus my spare-time investment to do it.

daveo wrote: Had four new STD size pistons and ring sets purchased for about $130 (ebay), and the low-mile jugs were $80 (ebay) plus $50 to have professionally honed.

That's pretty cheap. I haven't seen new pistons and rings anywhere for the post '81 KZ1000 for that amount.

I've spent considerable time searching for deals on parts that would be useful for my bike and the 1100 KZ engine. :blink:
Came across the piston set back in 2013 I think, from someone who had them listed for $15 apiece, and bought the rings sometime prior to that for about the same price, with genuine Kaw. gaskets and o-rings found as well.
That is what I love about ebay...you never know what you can find for little or no cost, but you have to be a hawk that is ready to pounce!

Just know what you need; think and plan ahead, and be willing to wait...just buy that stuff and sit on it until you are ready.

Hello,
How far are you willing to take down this motor to have it welded? For me cast aluminum is not an issue. But like you stated we need to see more once you have all the crap off of it. The more you tear down motor and expose the damage the better you insure yourself a sound weld job. (I Have welded aluminum for a living for over 30 years and would be happy to help if I can. Are you anywhere near Ohio?)

Thanks WestMIlton, I am in GA so not too close to OH.
I ran this past my machine shop guy and he said to clean it as much as possible and bring it in. Right now it's down to where I would have to split the cases to go any further but still in the frame. I was going to take it out this weekend, turn it over and get to work getting the JB weld off. It might just be a better option to replace the cases.
We'll see.

I understand. I didn't know if saving the correct serial numbers was a big deal or not. Your machine shop guy is correct. Aluminum has to be clean. Any contamination will effect the repair. Let me know if I can help. I don't charge for favors.