KZ1000 Cam Timing - Strange Alignment Issues

Hi All,

I am totally confused by my cam timing (1977 KZ1000 - totally stock engine). It looks like it is 1/2 of a tooth off when the "T" mark is lined up. I've attached some pics. The carrot mark on the exhaust looks a touch too high, and the intake cam looks a bit too low when looking at the lobes together. If I moved both cams one tooth, I think it would be too much. The 28 mark lines up.

The bike runs pretty good, but there is a slightly buzzy feel to it in the pegs. It will pull to 100+ without too much trouble. This has me stumped.

There are three identical posts here. Do you want to delete two?
Steve

Yes, sorry. My phone kept saying error, so I didn't think it went through.

Happened to me too. Done.
Steve

The little > needs to be level or just below the edge of the head. Starting with the next pin count 28.
Steve

Looks pretty close to right to me. The photo angle is a bit deceptive though.
If the 28th cam pin mark on the intake sprocket lines up with 28 pins of the chain from the carrot, I think it is OK.
Mileage?
The cam chain and sprockets could be slightly worn enough to be that little bit off....

swest wrote: The little > needs to be level or just below the edge of the head. Starting with the next pin count 28.
Steve

Thanks, Steve. It is close to level, but just seems to high compared to the pics in the manual. If I were to go one tooth down it looks like it will be far under the surface of the head. I have a closer pic with the arrow highlighted on my computer I'll post tonight.

Thanks again!

missionkz wrote: Looks pretty close to right to me. The photo angle is a bit deceptive though.
If the 28th cam pin mark on the intake sprocket lines up with 28 pins of the chain from the carrot, I think it is OK.
Mileage?
The cam chain and sprockets could be slightly worn enough to be that little bit off....

Thanks Bruce. The bike has 35,000mi on it. I'll post a better pic that is on my computer tonight.

I've heard that some kz1000 cranks have different sprockets depending on year. I wonder if the bike could have had a different crank put in at one time? Not sure if that is even a possibility. The engine runs pretty good, but I've been chasing down a slight buzz since I've had it.

Thanks!

If you had a crank with the wrong number of teeth, you would know very shortly after it was installed, as after a couple of revolutions the valves would have been smashing into the pistons. :pinch:

I set my arrow just below the surface. 35000 miles is just broken in.
Steve

swest wrote: I set my arrow just below the surface. 35000 miles is just broken in.
Steve

Hello,
I've attached a close-up of the cam mark. I added an arrow over the arrow mark on the cam. To me, it looks like if I go 1 tooth down, the mark would be way below the surface of the head.

What do you all think?

Thanks!

Ship it. :woohoo:
Steve