Tach cable leak

My 1980 KZ1000 Shaft has developed a leak where the cable enters the engine block. My local dealer ordered me three parts...a gasket, an o-ring, and a washer. My repair manual was no help on how to install these parts. Any ideas?

You might find a parts diagram at www.kawasaki.com . Click on Owner info, parts diagrams etc etc which would show you what goes where. Is it possible to unscrew your cable where it enters the head. If so then maybe take it off and have a look. When the same happened on my 750/4 I just unscrewed the cable at the head and popped in a new plumbing washer from the local hardware store......I know, I'm a peasant but the thing has'nt leaked in two years.

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Woodstock ON Canada
1980 kz750, 4 into 1, K&N pods

I have the same problem on my '81 CSR1000. The previous owner attempted to fix the problem, but only chewed up the thread stud that goes into the head. I am trying to figure out how to removed the threaded stud that goes into the head. I saw an aftermarket replacement on the internet, and it looks like you only have to push it into the head and it is held in place by a washer??? Can I just pry out the old one?

There are quite a few post on the old forum talking about this.

Here are few but there is quite a bit more out there.

www.kzrider.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=21859
www.kzrider.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=20382
www.kzrider.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=10208

Also there are some post talking about cheap Alternative solutions for the leaking tach cable.

Wishing you good luck in getting it done!

grovercan

If the hex screw isnt frozen on there the worst part is pulling out the tach gear guide, its a tight fit for some reason. I sanded mine down a little bit with some fine grit sandpaper. It went back in smoothly after that. No sense in fighting with that thing to get it back in. I cant remember who it was but someone here once told me they were able to pick out the tach seal and tap in a new one. Thats easier.

Post edited by: cudaosix, at: 2005/11/02 10:32

Thanks for the help. The diagram at www.kawasaki.com looks like it will be very helpful, and the hints from the rest of the replies will probably take care of my needs. Thanks again to all.

As mentioned about, I have an '81 KZ1000 CSR. I need to replace the threaded stud that goes into the engine for the tachometer. I found a kit on the internet for sale. The company said it fits the following models:

80-81 KZ550 A1/A2

80-81 KZ 550 C1/C2 LTD

77-79 KZ650 B/C/D

1980 KZ650 E1/LTD & KZ650 F1

1981 KZ650 H1 CSR

80-81 KZ750 E1/E2

80-81 KZ 750 H1/H2 LTD

76-77 KZ900 A4/A5

1976 KZ900 B1 LTD

77-78 KZ1000 A1/A2

79-80 KZ1000 A3/A4 MKII

77-80 KZ1000 B1/B2/B3/B4 LTD

78-80 KZ1000 C1/C1A/C2/C3 POLICE

78&80 KZ1000 Z1R

79-80 KZ1000 E1/E2 SHAFT

1980 KZ1000 G1 LTD CLASSIC

79-82 KZ13000 A1/A2/A3/A4

1980 KZ1300 B2 TOURING

Since my model was not listed, I contacted the company and asked. The company said probably not, but was not 100% sure. Based on the other models listed, do you think it would fit a '81 KZ1000 M1 CSR?

An oil seal, which looks a lot like a valve stem oil seal, fits into the part that screws onto the piece mounted on your cylinder head... the piece with female thread. The oring goes between... it is a 10mm o-ring. Not sure about a gasket as there isn't a gasket in this area that I know of.

Post edited by: wiredgeorge, at: 2005/11/11 16:16

Hex screw? I am having a problem getting the assembly out. I have a KZ750K1 LTD Belt Drive. I bought the tach seal and to replace it to stop the oil leak.

I unscrewed the tach cable and cannot figure out how to get the tach assembly out of the motor.

Is there something I am missing? I hate to put too much force into removal only to find out I have made a small problem worse?

Attached is a shot from the front of the motor. There does not seem to be anything to get a good grip on to pull out the tach assembly.

I had a minor oil leak, more like weeping, where the tach cable connects to the engine. I loosened the knurled collar and pulled the tach cable out. Then I put a small oring (the one I used was one from an old battery filler cap) on the tach cable between the collar and the tach cable flange. I cleaned the oil from the head and put the cable and collar back. I have not seen any more weeping after about 2,500 miles. It took 10 minutes and cost nothing. This may or may not work if the oil leak is really bad. Ed Blue '77 KZ650C1

That is a great idea - I saw a post in this thread that ran along the same lines - I will be o ringing that oil leak this weekend.

It is a very small leak at the front of the bike. Very little if any smoke - but you can smell the fluid burn as it hits the hot exhaust.

I wonder if there is any advantage to replacing the tach seal and o rings as opposed to just stopping the leak.

Here is that picture I forgot to post with my last message.



Post edited by: steell, at: 2007/01/27 08:59

Spearx, just be aware that the 750 twin tach seal is entirely different than the ones used on the four cylinders. In the twin it's like a thick flat washer, and none of the gasket kits I have had anything that looked like the original (even though they stated that the tach seal was included). I ended up using a small fat o-ring on top of the original seal, and that stopped the leak. If you want to remove the tach drive for some reason (like replacing the inside o-ring) you have to drive out the tach drive from the inside (have to remove the cam cover).

Post edited by: steell, at: 2006/03/07 23:44