KZ1100A2 Oil Cunsumption

My 1982 KZ1100A2 needs an oil top up at least every full tank of gas, maybe more. It has some leaky seals but It's not dripping anywhere. So I'm assuming I'm burning some as well but I'm not getting a smoky exhaust or oily looking exhaust pipes.

Is this normal?

I'm planning on tearing down the top end of the engine at the end of the summer and replacing all the usual suspected gaskets and seals but if my oil loss is excessive I'll plan on doing it earlier.

How much oil are you having to add ???

Street Fighter LTD wrote: How much oil are you having to add ???

Give or take, from the bottom line to the top line. What's that about a 1/4 qt? I buy Rotella by the gallon.

Can only speculate but if motor hasnt been apart or not in many years brittle valve guide seals are a big consumer of oil and maybe rings too. Keep an eye on oil level and spark plugs and ride it until you can do the planned rebuild
Dave

GPzMOD750 wrote: My 1982 KZ1100A2 needs an oil top up at least every full tank of gas, maybe more. It has some leaky seals but It's not dripping anywhere. So I'm assuming I'm burning some as well but I'm not getting a smoky exhaust or oily looking exhaust pipes.

Is this normal?

I'm planning on tearing down the top end of the engine at the end of the summer and replacing all the usual suspected gaskets and seals but if my oil loss is excessive I'll plan on doing it earlier.

Does high engine rpm operation contribute to above average oil consumption?

Street Fighter LTD wrote: Can only speculate but if motor hasnt been apart or not in many years brittle valve guide seals are a big consumer of oil and maybe rings too. Keep an eye on oil level and spark plugs and ride it until you can do the planned rebuild
Dave

I know about the valve guide seals and that's one of the first things I plan to address. The PO's mechanic, he didn't interested in doing much wrenching himself, seems to have been a lazy ass. I can see that he's used RTV instead of gaskets in a few places when he's serviced it so I'm guessing all the seals and gaskets need attention.

TBH I haven't even pulled the plugs on this bike yet. I've been so busy elsewhere and have just been happy it runs right now. I've been planning on doing the front end since the fork seals seem to have just given up over the weekend. I was planning on some bearings, tires and brake pads too. Actually planning on mounting the 18" rear wheel that came off the KZ1000E I parted.

daveo wrote: Does high engine rpm operation contribute to above average oil consumption?

Thanks,

IDK if the oil consumption is dependent on Avg revs. I ride, I fuel, check oil repeat. I check it every 100 mi. or fill up whatever comes first. It usually is at least just above the top of the window. I did go for a ride on Sun up a couple of canyons and it does look a little lower than typical.

daveo wrote:

GPzMOD750 wrote: My 1982 KZ1100A2 needs an oil top up at least every full tank of gas, maybe more. It has some leaky seals but It's not dripping anywhere. So I'm assuming I'm burning some as well but I'm not getting a smoky exhaust or oily looking exhaust pipes.

Is this normal?

I'm planning on tearing down the top end of the engine at the end of the summer and replacing all the usual suspected gaskets and seals but if my oil loss is excessive I'll plan on doing it earlier.

Does high engine rpm operation contribute to above average oil consumption?

Just to follow up on this question, and regarding Shell Rotella T 15W40 oil...
Autozone has both Shell Rotella T, and Shell Rotella T4 on the shelf. Which one do I want to use.

I don't know about "Rotella T", but Rotella T4 is JASO-MA compliant so it won't hurt the bike's wet clutch. Rotella T4 is what I would use. Ed

650ed wrote: I don't know about "Rotella T", but Rotella T4 is JASO-MA compliant so it won't hurt the bike's wet clutch. Rotella T4 is what I would use. Ed

+1
T4 is non-synthetic
T5 is a blend
T6 is full synthetic
All of them JASO-MA

Not any more, see below.

I just saw on the Shell website that there is now a T6 Multi Vehicle. The specs for it DO NOT list JASO-MA. AVOID IT.

The T5 and T5 Ultra do not list JASO-MA either.

I used Castrol GTX 20-50 40 years. When I got Bossie back on the road in 13, she burned oil like crazy. Went to Rotilla and it stopped. I use the 15-40 in the bike and my 69 Ford F250. I check the oil on the truck and it's clean. I wish I could say that about Bossie.
Steve

Kawasaki considered 600 miles to the quart whithin spec on the 1100 when new. The KZ1000/1100 line in 1981 was not among the best engines ever produced by a long shot.