Broken crankcase bolt. How boned am I?

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24 Nov 2020 09:15 #838846 by jaeger1002
Broken crankcase bolt. How boned am I? was created by jaeger1002
Full disclosure: this is my first motorcycle, I'm a decent car mechanic but I've just entered the motorcycle world with this project bike.

Hi all, I just picked up a running and riding 1977 KZ750 twin and I'm excited to get it fixed up and looking and running as good as possible. It's not without it's minor issues, but I just noticed something that I think could be major.

With the bike running, I noticed this bolt head spinning. I reached down and grabbed onto it and it pulled right out. Great. Looks like someone snapped it before I took possession. How boned am I? I was planning on doing a full gasket replacement, but extraction a bolt this small has me worried.
Anyone have any similar experience they can share? Or maybe just some reassurance that the engine isn't a ticking time bomb without this bolt? 
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  • SWest
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  • 10 22 2014
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24 Nov 2020 09:57 #838852 by SWest
Replied by SWest on topic Broken crankcase bolt. How boned am I?
It should be replaced but it won't go BOOM. You'll have to split the cases to do it. I'd silicon it in until you know if you have to go in there. :unsure:
Steve

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24 Nov 2020 10:09 #838856 by krazee1
Replied by krazee1 on topic Broken crankcase bolt. How boned am I?
+1 to what Steve said. I wouldn't worry about it until it's necessary to split the cases, there are plenty of other fasteners holding them together. I doubt if one 6mm case bolt missing would even cause an oil leak.

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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24 Nov 2020 10:33 #838858 by jaeger1002
Replied by jaeger1002 on topic Broken crankcase bolt. How boned am I?
Thanks for the reassurances. I'm still waiting for my manual to come in. Plenty more to do in the meantime

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  • Scirocco
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  • Never change a running system
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24 Nov 2020 13:44 #838880 by Scirocco
Replied by Scirocco on topic Broken crankcase bolt. How boned am I?
You don´t have to wait for it, your service manual is here: kzrider.com/modules/ServiceManuals/Kawas...l%20KZ750%20Twin.pdf

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24 Nov 2020 14:12 #838884 by jaeger1002
Replied by jaeger1002 on topic Broken crankcase bolt. How boned am I?
Thank you! I went ahead and ordered the manual though, something about paper is easier to read/manipulate to me

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