Valve Clearance 78 KZ1000 B2

Nice, .003-.005 would have been fine.
Steve

Nice work. The engine sounds nice in your video!

Nessism wrote: Nice work. The engine sounds nice in your video!

Thank you, you were a big influence is some of my decision making. This is a great site. It was truly a joy to ride this bike after 20 years plus. It really brought back some nice memories. I took my time and made sure everything was a good as I could make it. I just wish i had used better paint. I used VHT chassis spray bombs and its just not a great quality but good enough for what I'm going to need for right now. I think the '76 900 A4 is next on the list. I tripped over a 1973 Z1 that was a life time deal for $600.00 but as soon as the sellers brother heard he was selling it he now wants it. He only want it for parts for a KZ. I trying my best to offer him parts I have and not destroy the Z1. Not giving up hope yet.

I like your positions and tried it. But, the service manual says to check valves: 1 & 3 or 2 & 4 when aligned on the cam marks? Not 1 & 2 and 3 &4? There must a difference... They are certainly a different gap. Please advise. I have been working on my kz1000 b4 for 35 years. Thanks. I am ready to button it up with your method. Thanks, George

ghovsepian wrote: I like your positions and tried it. But, the service manual says to check valves: 1 & 3 or 2 & 4 when aligned on the cam marks? Not 1 & 2 and 3 &4? There must a difference... They are certainly a different gap. Please advise. I have been working on my kz1000 b4 for 35 years. Thanks. I am ready to button it up with your method. Thanks, George

What manual says that? Ed

Hi Ed, I have the Kawasaki Service Manual 78 - 80....

For two valves (1 and 3, or 2 and 5) at a time, measure the clearance between the cam and the shim. The correct clearance is .05 - .10 mm.

Not 1 and 2......3 and 4. Thanks

I always check valves in adjacent pairs with both valves on the base circle at the same time (as detailed earlier in this thread). Doing this eliminates measurement error from having the adjacent valve pushing up on the cam and skewing it in the journal clearance.

i have the KZ1000/Z100-J1 manual open in front of me and they recommend this method. So 1&2 and 3&4 are always checked together. I don't have the earlier big KZ manual in front of me but it doesn't matter. Adjusting the valves in pairs like detailed here is the better method. BTW, the Suzuki GS bikes where are very similar to the KZ's also check the valves in adjacent pairs. This method is simple and easy and you don't even need to look at the crank trigger, just the cam lobes.

ghovsepian wrote: Hi Ed, I have the Kawasaki Service Manual 78 - 80....

For two valves (1 and 3, or 2 and 5) at a time, measure the clearance between the cam and the shim. The correct clearance is .05 - .10 mm.

Not 1 and 2......3 and 4. Thanks

Thanks. Yes I see that's what the manual at www.kzrider.com/modules/ServiceManuals/K...Service%20Manual.pdf says.

What strikes me strange is that Pages 2-6 and 2-7 of the manual at www.kzrider.com/modules/ServiceManuals/K...Service%20Manual.pdf says to check 1 and 2 at one cam position and 3 and 4 at another.

The instructions in the two manuals seem to conflict. Ed