Valve stem seals replacement cost?

  • Toecutter
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Valve stem seals replacement cost?

26 May 2020 14:37
#826583
Greetings, after sitting for the winter, my KZ1000 smokes like crazy when starting it up from sitting for so long. What is the usual cost to have a shop replace the valve stem seals? ( I have no clue) If I ride the bike weekly, it does not smoke, if THAT means anything. LoL. Thanks a bunch!
Just acquired a 1977 KZ 1000 LTD after riding Harleys for 30 years. I remembered these bikes back in high school with the Kerker pipe and figured what the heck? A very fun bike!

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  • Scirocco
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Re: Valve stem seals replacement cost?

26 May 2020 15:21
#826585
How much is your oil consumption and bike milage?

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  • cb900f
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Re: Valve stem seals replacement cost?

26 May 2020 15:47 - 26 May 2020 15:49
#826589
If you've got a good mechanic (or do it yourself), the seals can be replaced without removing the head in about an hour - the only caveat is how much room you have in the frame to use the valve keeper removal/insertion tool. You'll need to remove the cams of course.

On my Honda, I had to remove the motor from the frame as there wasn't room to use the tool.
Last edit: 26 May 2020 15:49 by cb900f.

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  • SWest
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Re: Valve stem seals replacement cost?

26 May 2020 15:53
#826590
REMOVE THE HEAD AND DO THE JOB RIGHT.

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Re: Valve stem seals replacement cost?

26 May 2020 16:50
#826595
What's not 'right' about swapping valve seals without removing the head?

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  • Scirocco
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Re: Valve stem seals replacement cost?

26 May 2020 17:42
#826600
You need the right tools, skills and know how to do it. I had all the requirements.

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  • Mikaw
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Re: Valve stem seals replacement cost?

26 May 2020 18:02
#826603
Will swapping out the valve seal change the valve clearance?
1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.

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Re: Valve stem seals replacement cost?

26 May 2020 22:40
#826628
Mikaw wrote: Will swapping out the valve seal change the valve clearance?

Just the seals? No.

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  • hardrockminer
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Re: Valve stem seals replacement cost?

27 May 2020 05:10 - 27 May 2020 05:11
#826636
This is a KZ1000. You cannot change the seals with the head in place. The valve head sits between the combustion chamber and the cylinder. How do you get the compression tool on the head of the valve without removing the head from the engine?

Steve is correct. You must remove the head to do the job correctly. And yes, you will change valve clearance when you remove the valve.
I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.
Last edit: 27 May 2020 05:11 by hardrockminer.

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Re: Valve stem seals replacement cost?

27 May 2020 05:13
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cb900f wrote: If you've got a good mechanic (or do it yourself), the seals can be replaced without removing the head in about an hour - the only caveat is how much room you have in the frame to use the valve keeper removal/insertion tool. You'll need to remove the cams of course.

On my Honda, I had to remove the motor from the frame as there wasn't room to use the tool.

This isn't a Honda. It's a '77 KZ1000. The only mechanic that could do it is God.
I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.
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Re: Valve stem seals replacement cost?

27 May 2020 07:44
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I ran mine until I could get in there and check the valve seats then make a list of what was to come. If you remove the head don't clean the pistons unless you are going to remove the barrels. The carbon will scratch the cylinder walls.
Steve

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Re: Valve stem seals replacement cost?

27 May 2020 08:41
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hardrockminer wrote: This is a KZ1000. You cannot change the seals with the head in place. The valve head sits between the combustion chamber and the cylinder. How do you get the compression tool on the head of the valve without removing the head from the engine?

Steve is correct. You must remove the head to do the job correctly. And yes, you will change valve clearance when you remove the valve.

The tool in Scirocco's post is a valve spring compressor that works without removing the cylinder head. Whether or not there is room to use it with the engine in the frame IDK. If the valves are returned to their original locations after removal, I don't believe the clearances will change. IMHO, Mike
Former M.E. at Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing, Lincoln, NE
1966 W1 (the Z1 of 1966-50H.P. and 100mph!)
1974 Z1
1978 KZ1000 LTD
1976 KZ900B pile O parts
1980 KZ750E
1980 Honda XL250S (I know, wrong flavor!)
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