Cam end plugs

I have been riding the KZP quite a bit. Fresh oil and many heat cycles later, we have a leak(s). The plugs on both sides are aluminum and look to have been installed with some sort of sealant (looks like copper rtv).
I ordered the VC gasket from Z1. Is there something else I need for the cam plugs? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Dino

Those plugs, are they "actual" billet aluminum or just aluminum "looking". Originals are aluminum looking but rubber where cases/bolt goes thru. If as often becomes the case, the rubber gets brick hard and shrinks. Explains the goo. They offer those in aftermarket versions but i would shy away from those, just buy fresh OEM ones.

We've had aluminum cam end plugs in two of our Z1's for decades.  One set is APE, the other set is unbranded.

   Initial fitting is important.  Clean the cutout in the head and the plugs squeaky clean.  Make sure they seat down completely into the cutouts.  In a perfect world they'd stand proud of the head VC gasket surface be only a thou or two.  The cutouts in the head may have a slight burr at the top corners that can be removed with very gentle use of a very fine file, such as a points file.  One  stroke & test fit.  If your plugs have two lips, the cutouts in the head might be a thou or so too thick for the lips to straddle the cutout.  Again, judicious file use; one  stroke across the outside of the cutout & test fit.

   Last time we had any of them out, we used Permatex Ultra Black #82180 RTV.  Doesn't take much, just enough to extrude a tiny bead around the cutout.  Once cured the bead can be trimmed away, but don't pull.  A very light wipe across the top where the plug meets the head and where the VC gasket contacts the plug. That's been many years ago.  Once installed, we don't disturb them.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Thanks Gents!
The existing plugs are, in fact, petrified silver rubber plugs. Im going to go back in with the black rubber plugs from Z1. Thanks for the help and keeping me from potentially doing this twice. I think the toughest part will be removing this fairing 🤣

I would rethink the ones from Z1E. I would go with the CNC units. I but them from this guy. Those rubber plugs can blow out. IOnce you but the Aluminum plugs you will not need to replace. Just follow the advice from Slim
www.ebay.com/str/gunsbluemoon?_trkparms=...542580.m47492.l74602

He has the "J" motor, different plugs. But Yes Z1E sells Vesrah, NOT OEM.

Gasket and plugs are in. The fairing was a piece of cake to remove. Coils out. 
I started removing the bolts and broke one on what looks like a “smog cover plate”. It has a hose that attaches to the top. Can I remove the hoses and get the APE block offs without doing any harm? 

Yes, that is a very common modification. If you are going to have the cam cover off, it would also be good to thread the ports and install some grub screws to insure that there is no  exhaust leakage past the reed valves. PMC also makes some nice looking block off plates.
You will also want to remove he rest of the system and put a plug in the hole in he air filter box, where the system originates. Oh, also you will need a couple of vacuum caps to seal off the carb vacuum ports that provided vacuum to operate the system.

I think i'm going to join the plates using the tubing that goes to the airbox. Should I remove the reeds or leave them in? I'll plug the holes in the airbox and cap the two ports from the smaller air lines. 

That's exactly what I did on my KZ750.  I left the reeds in.   It's working fine

KZP5 wrote:

I think i'm going to join the plates using the tubing that goes to the airbox. Should I remove the reeds or leave them in? I'll plug the holes in the airbox and cap the two ports from the smaller air lines. 
 

If you do not leave the reed valves in place, hot exhaust gasses will come up into the rubber hose and melt it rather quickly. Based on the discoloration in the picture, I suspect at least one reed valve is leaking already. Carbon can build up on them and hold them open.

Should i give the reeds a cleaning before I put this all back together? Do i need to seal the plates (gasket sealer)?