TOPIC:

replacing timing chain on kz 750 twin does the engine cases have to be split in order to replace camshaft chain, or is there a link in the chain which can removed and tied to old chain and fished through avoiding complete engine removal? sorry for stupid question I just need to to know how deep of an issue chain replacement is. thank you

There is no link. Some people have had success replacing the chain by riveting in place and others say split the cases and use an endless chain. My vote is the later.

As an aside, did you measure the chain elongation before coming to the conclusion that you need a new chain? Typically the chain lasts the life of the engine.

I haven't measured the chain yet , im in the process of getting all parts together for a rebuild nos pistons, rings, gaskets valve seals etc the only part I don't have is timing chain .which I thought would be prudent to change as part of the rebuild, however I do not want to split the cases, I was hoping there was an easier way, My mechanical skills are weak and I have to have help from friends on the technical aspects. this week will start tear down ,. hopefully like you said the chain is most likely good, . the bike has 19.000 miles and runs without any audible chain noise that I can hear. Thank you for your response, im grateful for kz rider and the members. that have helped me on questions that only kz people know the answers to,

19k miles is nothing. I wouldn't waste money on pistons or timing chains. Clean and reuse what you have. Also, be sure to use OEM gaskets where ever possible. If the gaskets are discontinued from Kawasaki look up the part numbers and search ebay. Aftermarket gasket kits range in quality from barely passable to pure crap.

As Nessism stated 19K miles is nothing. My KZ650-C1 has more than 62,000 miles on it and the engine has never been opened up or had anything done to it other than routine maintenance such as oil changes, etc. I've owned the bike since it was new, so I definitely know its history. Ed

I already have oem new old stock pistons ,rings,viton valve seals oem base,head and valve cover gaskets got cheap off ebay, the reason for rebuild is on start up the bike smokes bad out exhausts . like a fog machine. but after 5 -10 minutes it subsides, I m no expert but assume its valve seals, I rescued this bike eroding in someones back yard recently. winter project, rebuild is just for peace of mind. my motto is "leave it better than you found it" if possible

Get yourself the late model OEM head gasket. the green/brown one. the early black and red ones are terrible .

I did, 11004-1055 part number if you look at the gasket straight on its browm, but if you tilt, its green, I struggled at first between buying after market gaskets or getting 20-40 year old new oem gaskets still in the original packaging , firm believer in oem .just wasn't sure about the age. Anyway, at some point you just have to make a choice and go with it. The headgasket that is currently on the bike now is definitely "toasted"

This is the real green OEM head gasket DoctoRot is talking about.



www.z750twin.de/zylinderkopfdichtung.htm

unobtainable,cant find that gasket on ebay, many vendors passing 11004-1055 as the 11004-1267 but their not the authentic version, some place in the Netherlands ,or Sweden ,gernany claimed to have them but the color was totally brown. the name of the company was csml or something like that.

I have had both the green and the brown. I settled for the brown because i couldn't find the green one the second time. the brown version is as nearly as good as the green, very similar construction. No leaks for me with the brown. Just stay away from the red/black one.

thanks for info, that's reassuring,