my 1980 Z1R and 900 projects

this is my z1r that i just done a mini makeover on.i pulled the engine and bodywork and taped everything off (with the help of some friends) scuffed and shot and repainted the frame.while the engine was out i had to helicoil all the valve cover bolts(16 of em).which was originally the reason to pull the motor in the first place.seems whoever was previously in there didn't understand how to tighten small bolts in aluminum and pulled all the threads.after i got the threads repaired and the engine reinstalled,i decided to shim the valves.while i had a bunch of shims and a manual,i didnt have the proper shimming tools.good time to stop,no not me i'll just use a screwdriver under the cam to hold down the bucket.well i got the screwdriver hung under the cam and pulled a big burr into the top of the bucket bore.then it wouldn't let the valve return up to the cam because it was hitting the burr.instead of observing the road signs telling me to stop and pull the cams,i decided to roll the engine thru and see if the cam pushing the valve down would let it return up and remove the burr.i was totally infested with stupidity,holy retard i was unstoppable.so when the wrench on the crank kinda stopped wanting to turn(like it was binding)i had no problem with leaning on it a little more.then it gives and rolls past and the valve snaps up.i'm like alright,then i'm like wait why did that happen.spring tension wouldn't push it passed the burr a minute ago why now.then i thought about the piston hitting the valve and turned pale.blowing air in the cylinder confirmed my fears,i had bent the exhaust valve.so then i pulled the head ordered the parts and started tearing the head down.everything was in pretty good shape so i ported the pockets to clean airflow up resealed the valves,replaced the exhaust valve i bent.then i discovered kzrider.com and in an old thread someone said to bench shim,so i did and reassembled and reinstalled the head.i should have stuck to this forum for information,but i pulled out my trusty whistle:clymer manual and tried to torque the cam caps to 12ft.lb.so i helicoiled four more cam caps before i got everything straightend back out.then i got on here and read the threads about stripped cam caps.armed w/ that information i used my inch pound torque wrench and torque everything accordingly.once i fired it back up i had a little rattle on the exhaust cam side.i pulled the valve cover and checked the valve clearance and had some loose valves reshimmed em and the rattle was gone.woohoo goodtimes.so i policed everything up and got it together to ride around the section and make sure everthing was cool.got back washed it took these pictures and came in to tell the rest of the kawasaki afflicted my story(sorry so long but i did leave out some pieces to shorten it)so check out my pics.

here is my old 1976 kz 900(and others) that has been sitting neglected waiting on the gods of cash to smile on it.:dry:

Post edited by: 531blackbanshee, at: 2007/07/03 13:10

here is my shop where the mayhem took place.al i need is a little more stuff and a little less space. :lol:

this 1976 kz is getting a 1075cc kit custom aluminum swingarm and wide spoked wheel.

Post edited by: 531blackbanshee, at: 2007/07/03 13:12

cool,but 76 was the first year of kz series z1 ended in 75B)

Nah, I think you need more space in your shop. Since I live so close I would be willing to come clear out some space for you, and you don't even have to pay me to take some of your many extra parts away in my truck....

ah always people to help haul all that ol junk off.yea i couldnt remember about the kz,z1 year brakes but i new if i posted that someone would quickly point out the error of my ways.i didn't ck the titles before i posted.but at any rate i own them so kz z1 whatever i am not much of a hair splitter.i also know that many people on here are a little more purist than myself,i use both kz and z1 as generalizations.sorry if i offend anyone.i'll update this post as i make changes to all of the bikes.and try to get some of my friends to post some of there kz,z1,z1r projects.

NICE bikes! See a little Blast in there, also. Had one for the wife...gone now. The Z1R and 900 projects are going to be great.
Keep us posted!
-KR

I cleaned up a doubled thread.
The only post, of significance was 4R's

"Yep, the old "perserverance over common sense" sceanrio.

Been there done that......way to many times!

I agree, pics please! SUNNY Covina, Calif!"

Thanks
KZCSI