Saving a '81 KZ750-E

Dr. Gamma wrote: I have a feeling your ring compressors are not going to work out. Don't think you will have the room to use them. If you don't have the fancy Kawasaki ring compressor tool, you do two pistons at a time.

You are certainly correct, Dr. Gamma... it turns out these are the type for putting in the pistons from the top of the cylinder, not the bottom. But that brought me to an idea. If I was to make a couple spacers to hold the cylinder block at the right height off the case, couldn't I install one piston at a time from the top, going from one side to the other while preventing the crank from turning. I guess it might be a pain to control the rotation of the piston to line up with the rod... I have arranged for the return of these compressors already, I was just mulling over if it could work going from the top down.

Skidmark wrote:

Dr. Gamma wrote: I have a feeling your ring compressors are not going to work out. Don't think you will have the room to use them. If you don't have the fancy Kawasaki ring compressor tool, you do two pistons at a time.

You are certainly correct, Dr. Gamma... it turns out these are the type for putting in the pistons from the top of the cylinder, not the bottom. But that brought me to an idea. If I was to make a couple spacers to hold the cylinder block at the right height off the case, couldn't I install one piston at a time from the top, going from one side to the other while preventing the crank from turning. I guess it might be a pain to control the rotation of the piston to line up with the rod... I have arranged for the return of these compressors already, I was just mulling over if it could work going from the top down.

When I saw your ring compressors I was thinking the same kind of thing. If you could hold the jug up and install each piston from the top slid down to the spigot with the crank held steady and install the wrist pin and cir-clip. has anyone tried that...

My race pistons came with teflon buttons instead of wrist pin clips. Should be a little easier?

Not something to be proud about, but I am getting rather good at this crap... five new clutch bolts are on their way.

Skidmark wrote: Not something to be proud about, but I am getting rather good at this crap... five new clutch bolts are on their way.

Getting good at breaking them??? lol

Yes, which leads to experience taking them out.

Sunday I was heartbroken, I was going over the cases looking for any issues before I send them to vapor hone, and sure as Hattie's I find a a broken bolt in the upper case for the clutch cover. Threw it up on the bench and started to pick at it to see what I was up against... Whoo Hoo it just silicone. Dug most of it out and run a 6mx1.00 tap in and all set...

Sorry didn't mean to rub it in... carry on... Mikey Likey!!!

If you wrench, it comes with the territory. Didn't take it as a rub at all.

Seems like Partzilla is getting slower at shipping orders lately. Doing more waiting than building. :whistle:

Skidmark wrote: Seems like Partzilla is getting slower at shipping orders lately.

Yes, I noticed the same thing. Hit or miss these days. But it is an odd time for everyone.

Case Savers. I have been wrestling with this ever since I took this bike apart - use them or not? Since the original hardware and motor mount plate on the right front side are long gone, I was thinking of having them powder coated to match the frame. But the chrome plating is an issue. I cannot find anyone in Nevada or Sacramento that will strip chrome plating. The plating shops I have talked with can apply chrome, but will not strip it. Apparently the chemicals to strip the chrome plating are quite nasty and the government regulations in controlling them have forced the businesses to quit using them. Since bead blasting it off is too time consuming, I decided to run without the case savers. I had to order some new bolts and make the engine mount plate for the top right side.

How much do we love our KZ's? You find out when your bike starts to fall off the lift. Luckily it was lowered all the way when the two of us lost our balance, and it fell the same direction as I did. Since the bike landed on me there wasn't any damage to it. Me, on the other hand, well... mostly minor cuts and scrapes and will probably find some interesting bruises in the next day or two.