Time sert

I recently traveled 606.6 miles to denver to remedy a sick Kaw. first was to install a light in the garage with 10,000 lumins led from harbor freight and install the rubber dampers on the spedo tacho. Second was to was to pull #4 plug and inspect the threads in the head, EEEEWW I tried a reverse tap and was semi successful and was able to get the plug in and out carefully by hand and inspected the cylinder with a $25.oo bore scope and noted the valves were closed. then tapped and added the time-sert sleeve with the recomended  High temp red loc tight.easy peasy japaneasy with an american made tool. Then used a shop vac and detail end fittings and a tube with a now discontinued coat hanger tool taped to the old fuel line to get all the swarf out from the top of piston. after being satisfied with the results and tripple checking with the bore scope We left it set over night. the next morning, I rolled on to the floor from an air mattress. and being as Im getting old and my toes dont bend much any more, and no furniture to help stand up.I finally managed my way out to the garage, and fired the old boy up. For a 78 kz 1000 ltd and just over 18 K miles.It runs Great with fresh fuel!!! I still want to add the air corrector jets and dyna s but it will have to be at a later date when grand pa can get off the floor in the morning with a chair or something. And in that area its a 40 minute drive to shop for Hardware if they have it. Im definitely not a fan of that area. Its why I call home in western Colorado. Further from Kansas suburbia
 

Did you use the expanding tool?
Steve
 

Yes I did I also put water around the plug and checked for leaks, I watch all your vidios man religiously,You are a super star at my house pard. At $178.00 Im using the whole kit.

Good job wish I did.
Steve

Next, Im going to shim the valves. Ive never tried it before so Ill practice in his bike. I want to order an assorted kit from z1 or should I, as far as genuine kawasaki parts. Im not sure if it has been done on this bike before. But Im willing to give it a shot!! No one in denver will even try.

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationI'd get them here plus a valve cover.
Steve

Its really hard to guess what size shims will be in any bike. Unless someone sunk the valves big time doing a valve job, the common shim range is 230~285.

When you do your valve clearance check remove the spark plugs. It makes it so much easier to turn the motor over. Use the 17mm nut on the advancer unit, not the smaller bolt head.

After you replace the valve shim with another, rotate the cam around a few times to like seat the shim in the bucket. Then check the clearance.

That way you are sure that the shim is fully seated and there is no extra oil under the shim. If you don't do this, sometimes your clearance will be a bit tighter than what you will have after it runs for a while.

If you plan on keeping your bike for a few more years, spend the bucks and buy the real Kawasaki shim tool. It makes the job go so much faster than those other shim tools!!!!

That tool ain't cheap, but its worth every penny of its cost in my book!!!!!!  Part number is still 57001-113

  

You might only need a few shims. Its time consuming but worth it, pull the cam cover and gauge out #1 intake valve, then pull the shim. Record the clearance and the shim size. Reinstall and Repeat this for all valves. You will be surprised that most times only one or two shims will be necessary. Most times you can say for example swap shims from one valve to another to get the correct lash. You will need one spare shim to complete the swap. 

NEVER rotate the engine without a shim in the bucket. I only buy and use OEM Kawasaki shims. 

See if there is a Kawasaki dealer near you. Most times they are willing to “trade” you shims without any cost. 

By moving shims around I can usually get it down to 2 or 3 shims needed. I order those individual shims rather than a whole kit.

See if there is a Kawasaki dealer near you. Most times they are willing to “trade” you shims without any cost

People/Dealers must be nicer in Michigan Matt!  They would laugh around here if you tried to swap your "used" shim for theirs which is probably made out of gold!  They want to sell you new ones for retail+.  As has been mentioned by swapping around you usually only need one or two sizes that are not already in the head.  It's even  possible that a Forum Member might be able to help with the needed shims!

Mike

wrote:

See if there is a Kawasaki dealer near you. Most times they are willing to “trade” you shims without any cost

People/Dealers must be nicer in Michigan Matt!  They would laugh around here if you tried to swap your "used" shim for theirs which is probably made out of gold!  They want to sell you new ones for retail+.  As has been mentioned by swapping around you usually only need one or two sizes that are not already in the head.  It's even  possible that a Forum Member might be able to help with the needed shims!

Mike

Mike, maybe, my local Kawasaki dealership has even offered to loan me their spoke wheel truing stand. They have drawers full of shims they say will never be used. I asked them about doing a one for one shim trade upon a recommendation by Rick H. His local dealership offers him the same trade options. My dealership has even sold off 95% of their Kz specialty tools. I happen to get one back that I found on evilbay. I bought This factory sync gauge set from a seller in Florida. 

 

 

I have all the Kawasaki tools, and have found places to buy the shims, Thank you Guys.