TOPIC:

By Jove I think he’s got it. Nice work Martin!

Looks like an equivalent that will work! I have made the purchase, and very hopeful. I will keep looking in order to purchase a good spare...considering the difficulty in finding this part.

THANK YOU

That extra casting is kind of weird.  If it's from a 750-L3, that model uses the same gasket, so it might work. I haven't tried comparing the crankcases, which might shed some light.

Edit:  that transmission cover is probably part #14025-1486 for the 1983 KZ650-H3 & KZ750-L3 plus a few other models. same gasket as the -011 mission cover.
 

I thought I would share the images of this failure. Again, I missed a shift at high RPM, then this happened. It's likely that my chain needed an adjustment, as well. I am using an RK530 O-Ring style chain. I have been running these on this series of KZ for many years. Has anyone use the RK530 XRing Sealed Chain? I have ordered one, and will measure the total width of non O-Ring, O-ring and this XRing type. You can see by the images that the chain left quite a scrape mark on the cover. I don't recall this happening before, but this was not the failure. you can see that the chain guide was snapped off the boss features but the chain expanding in diameter, and then came unglued. Also the chain guide bent the clutch push rod severely.

So, it looks like I will soon have all the part in my possession to continue the investigation and repair.

Take Care, Mike

Looks like you need a new offset front sprocket.

You mean the front 16T sprocket? Actually, did not look deformed, but I purchased a new one while we were in there.
 

wrote:

Looks like you need a new offset front sprocket.

I think Scirocco is talking about a sprocket with this thicker center. See the rub marks from the chain on the cover. A shoulder on the inside of the sprocket will move the chain away from the cover and eliminate the wear on the cover. 



 

Each day is an opportunity to learn something new. An offset sprocket never occurred to me? There were many equivalent part numbers for sale, so I am on the hunt.

Outstanding.

I purchased this KZ650SR with a 16T non-offset sprocket in place. Never had an issue to draw my eye to this important detail.So, what is the preferred chain for a KZ650? RK520 or RK530? I have been using RK530 for as long as I can remember and never witnessed the chain scraping on the cover.Thanks for the input. Again, gathering up parts and waiting patiently.

Owners often make the mistake of putting an o-ring chain on a bike originally designed for a non-o-ring chain.  Because it's wider the o-ring chain will rub.  When Kawasaki switched from non-o-ring to o-ring on the Z1 series they went to a front sprocket with a spacer and they added a spacer to the rear wheel to keep the chain in proper alignment.  

In the early pages of the service manual it will say what chain is recommended.  You should buy something similar.  If you go to a sprocket with a shoulder but don't add a rear spacer your chain will be out of alignment and will wear more quickly.  It will probably also cause a torquing effect to the rear wheel, causing increased tire wear.

Completely agree. I am looking over Z1 for a comparison of the components that you have mentioned.

The Z1B had a wider chain guard to accommodate the wider chain.  It had a modification to the left engine mount.  There's a service bulletin detailing all of the changes that were necessary to go to the o-ring chain.