Do i need to replace the head on my KZ1100R

Hi, I'm looking for some advice about my cylinder head. I have lost No 1 Camshaft bracket due to a restoration I started in 1998 and just hoping to finish now, My bike has been moved several times and this part has been lost.
I understand that it can not be ordered and have heard the Camshaft Brackets are machined to match the head.
is there any one that can help, is it possible to get a replacement made and machined to match the head!
would seem such a shame that an otherwise good head could be useless.
Is the only answer to find a replacement second hand Z1100R head (Probably non existent) or try and hope to find a GPz1100 A1 Replacement I believe is the same, also hard to find!
I hope there is a way to save my original Cylinder Head! I kick myself for loosing this part.
advice appreciated.
Thanks.

You can get one and have it fitted. You might get lucky. The tolerances are pretty loose.
Steve

Thanks for your reply Steve, any idea where I could get one from?

Try Larry. He may have one available, and may be able to assist you further.

www.cavanaughracing.com/

Thanks for that info, I will contact Larry see what can be done.

Anything can be made, or at least made to work, at a cost....

As Davoe said, you can try and fit a cam bearing cap from another head (any 81 and up KZ1000J or KZ1100 head's cam bearing caps will "bolt on" as long as it is the same positions' cap), but it will need to be checked carefully to be sure you will have the correct cam bearing oil clearance - all over. If the cap is the thrust bearing, that has to be checked for alignment and clearance as well. In my own experience, it is probable it will work, but worst case is you might have to test fit and measure a few caps to get a good fit. If the head is off, an automotive machine shop can check the thrust faces and radial clearance for you with a small dial bore gauge. If it is off, some shops would be able to face and line bore the two caps and head. I've done that in the past myself. Not cheap, but as you have already guessed, getting an exact, original correct replacement head for your 1100R will be difficult, and expensive...the GPz A1 is closest, but not exactly the same. The 84 - 85 ZN1100 LTD head is similar too, but not exact, either. None of those heads are cheap or easy to find...

BTW - Don't ever think about scrapping your original head, in any event. It might be usable, or at least of some value to someone (like me) at some later date. Remember - they aren't making anymore of them....ever again.

Good luck - hope you get it sorted with as little pain as possible....

oh - nice bike - wish I had one of those!

Thanks Kray-Z for your Help, good to know there are other possibilities for Cap. I wont ever let the Head go, I was even contemplating buying a GPz1100A1 just for the Motor for parts to help my rebuild/Restoration, shame in some ways to Brake an old bike but it is hard to find spares Like heads.

I don't know any machine shops in the UK or any one that could Make a new cap and do the necessary work required with the Camshaft and bearing to ensure the tolerance and alignment is correct.

All the other jobs on the restoration are mainly paint, re-chroming and some anodising and ordering a few parts. this Cam caps is the main stumbling block to having a Working bike.

They are lined bored, not ideal but a choice of several donor caps and some plastiguage and select the best fitting one.

Better remove the valves and you can turn the cam and feel it for any tightness or pinch points.

Do you still have the bearing inserts for the lost cap?

Hi Tyrell, I have added 2 photos, wont really help much, but shows my missing Cap.
I have just had a look and the top part of Bearing's that would have been fitted to the Cap are gone too!
The lower parts of the bearing's are still seated in the head under the Cam Shaft.
Thanks for the tip about removing Valves.
I hope one day to find someone in the UK like that can sort this head out for me.

cruzi wrote: I hope one day to find someone in the UK like that can sort this head out for me.

Plenty of people here in the UK that could sort it out, ever heard of Debben performance.
They specialize in Z9's, 1000's and 1100's if you want to pay a shop to do it.
You also need to get on the Z1 OWNERS CLUB GB forum if you want to find spare camcaps or another head.

Thanks Zed, That info is realy useful, I just had a quick look for them on Google. I will contact them tomorrow to see if they can help. I don't mind doing any other work on bike except for the engine internals.
I nearly joined Z1 OWNWERS CLUB, but didn't due to a fee to pay.
People on this site have been really helpful, but I will take all of your advice, Join the Z1 Owners Club and Contact Debben Performance to see how they can help.
Hopefully this might be the solution to my problem. will keep you and this thread posted.
Thanks again
John

cruzi wrote: Thanks Zed, That info is realy useful, I just had a quick look for them on Google. I will contact them tomorrow to see if they can help. I don't mind doing any other work on bike except for the engine internals.
I nearly joined Z1 OWNWERS CLUB, but didn't due to a fee to pay.
People on this site have been really helpful, but I will take all of your advice, Join the Z1 Owners Club and Contact Debben Performance to see how they can help.
Hopefully this might be the solution to my problem. will keep you and this thread posted.
Thanks again
John

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