Identify my new engine rattle - 1981 KZ750 LTD

So using my stethoscope, I've determined that it's definitely coming from the left-side cover, so most likely that either the stator or rotor has come loose.

So my next question is, that side cover has a gasket. Does that mean that it's holding in oil and that I'll need to get a new one for this repair? I think it's likely that I'll need to take it off, see what's wrong and then order any parts that are required, but I want to know if that means catching any oil, or if it means draining oil first. The service manual says nothing about oil.

I use a gallon oil container with the side cut out of it to catch the oil. When taking that cover off there may be a small amount of oil coming out. You will need a gasket but if you're careful you may be able to save the old one for the time being. When I did mine I had to reuse the gasket many times until I was sure I had it right. I used high temp copper silicon to seal it. I've yet to get a new gasket but will soon.
If that cover hasn't been off the screws will be hard to remove. I have Allen heads but before I used this.

Every toolbox needs one of these.

This is a larger four but the principles are the same.
Steve

I've always had good success with the proper JIS bits and and impact driver for taking out the bolts. I'll give it a go on the weekend.

There is no oil inside the cover on the 750/4 bikes.

Nessism wrote: There is no oil inside the cover on the 750/4 bikes.

Ah, that's what I thought (since there was nothing mentioned in the manual), but since there was a gasket there and so many mentions of oil elsewhere I wasn't sure.

That will make life much easier.

All fixed - perhaps the easiest repair I've ever done. One of the stator bolts had wound out and was fouling the rotor. Tightened them all up with a little loctite and no more noise. Thanks for all your help.

Good thing you caught it early. Good job.
Steve

Yeah, I can imagine it coming out just a little too far and shearing off completely, leaving a bolt head in there to bounce around and destroy the stator, and probably the magnetic surface of the rotor too. But it started to suddenly and sounded too mechanical to just leave it. And the fix cost me nothing except time - and I spent more time on this thread than I did on repairing it.