Top end time

Don't forget to get those funny shaped, high dollar o-rings that sit in the head gasket around the four outer studs.

I always used a good paint stripper and a good supply of new razor blades on those J model base gaskets!!!!
That base gasket is the very worse gasket I have ever had to remove from any bike I have ever worked on!!!!!

Bought 2 sets. The originals and the replacements..
10 bucks each. Must be gold.

2 days later the base gasket is mostly gone.

Cylinders are well within tolerance.
Bores need crosshatch hone.
Need new rings.
Pistons scuffed.
One has a strange light shading bands though.
Never seen that.
Thinking stock rings will still fit.
Only have 20 to 40 ten thousandths variance anywhere. 0.002 - 0.004 Spec is 0.05

Rings. Lookig for marks to indicate which side faces up. Not seeing any. Any help?

Look closely for an "N" near the end of the ring. You may need a magnifying glass.

No marks on those. Probably why they were still around after 40 years.Z1 has them for $300 for all 4. Seems a little excessive.

It's an 83 shaft drive. Bike doesn't have the value to justify the kind of money I'm putting it at 40 bucks a valve and 75 bucks for a ringset. Rethinking this.

Did you already buy the parts? As I remember some rings have a bevel and others a step in them. They face down.
Steve

Greybeard wrote: It's an 83 shaft drive. Bike doesn't have the value to justify the kind of money I'm putting it at 40 bucks a valve and 75 bucks for a ringset. Rethinking this.

Good to consider the expense of doing it right before diving in. I've gone in half-right more than once, and have consistently come up short in the long run trying to save money. Best to use OEM Genuine Kawasaki parts in your engine, whenever possible.

Last of the valves and rings came today. And a 71-73mm ball hone.
I looked under magnification and only saw any stamp on the one with the outer groove in it. N is up and groove is up on old set still on piston.
All the others look to be able to go either direction. No markings, no bevels, flush ends.
Second ring has groove and facing down.
Going to remeasure bores one more time and make a record so I remember later and doubt myself.
Come this far guess I'll finish blasting the cylinder and head and think it over some more.

Shinier anyway