KZ305 Head Gasket issue.Welp...she might be done

My KZ305 has been getting harder and harder to start, and was burning lean on one cylinder. Then I noticed the tiny wisp of smoke coming from the lean side of the engine. Leaned over and saw the oil bubbling out of the cylinder head gasket.

Estimate: $850, which is about 750 more than I have. All my rather long life I've had a hard and fast policy: I do not open engines. I'll change oil, I'll replace alternators and do brakes. But I do not enter engines or transmissions. So I'm in a bit of a quandary. I really dont want to do the work myself but definitely can't afford to pay someone to do it. Furthermore, I don't have the time and mechanical work takes me about 10 times as long as anyone else because I usually break at least one thing for every other thing I fix. I can probably find another KZ for that much.

Just looking for ideas...

Are there any training programs for bike mechanics in your area that require a training bike?

Not that I know of. There is an auto mechanic training program. I doubt they'd take it but it won't hurt to ask.

How many miles are on the bike?
Yeah you may be able to find another one for 850 bucks but what will be wrong with that one?
I don't know where you live but around here Winter is coming and that's a good time to crack it open.
www.kzrider.com/modules/ServiceManuals/K...0KZ250%20-%20305.pdf

I don't have the time, not this winter anyway. Among the other consideration that I'm really not mechanically inclined enough to want to take engines apart. What should take me 4 hours usually takes me 40.

I only paid $350 for this bike which was a steal, and I just missed getting the same bike for $350 this spring. Mine only has 14,000 miles, so its worth fixing if I had the money. BUt there are also deals out there.

With only 14,000 miles on her I don't think it needs a valve job or rings so replacing a head gasket is not that big a job for someone who's mechanically inclined.
You should hopefully get at least what you paid for it if you decide to sell her.

82KZ305Belt wrote: I don't have the time, not this winter anyway. Among the other consideration that I'm really not mechanically inclined enough to want to take engines apart. What should take me 4 hours usually takes me 40.

Taking it apart is actually quite easy! Putting it back together...not so much!

Good bike to learn on. You'll have to learn sometime, might as well be now. There's no better satisfaction in knowing what is going on between your legs. :woohoo:
Steve

I'm sure I've studied whats going on between my legs far too much already.

Hmm, there's a CB550 for $300 bucks nearby. All it needs is to start....

If not already done, won't hurt to torque the head when stone cold, run again to normal operating temp, allow to cool overnight, and torque the head again when stone cold.

Good Fortune!

82KZ305Belt wrote: I'm sure I've studied whats going on between my legs far too much already.

Hmm, there's a CB550 for $300 bucks nearby. All it needs is to start....

There ya go. You can probably sell off the bad running one and recoup the money to buy one that doesn't run.

Personally, I would fix the one I presently own, AND buy the other one and fix that one too.

Of course there needs to be an interest and the desire to fix anything, or it will never happen. You may have more interest in the dead one for sale than the one you already own.

I've always wanted a Honda. A bit easier to find parts on some of them, though I dont know if the 550 is one of those. Don't really need anything that large though. I kinda like light bikes and thats about 80 pounds heaver