78 750 KZ primary chain replace

I CANT FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THE PRIMARY CHAIN OFF THE CRANKSHAFT. DO i HAVE TO SPLIT THE BOTTOM OF THE CRANK CASE?
I tried replying to several of these posts, but they don't appear to be coming through, so I'll try editing the original.
The downloaded manual doesn't go into much detail. My originals burned up in a shop fire back in 01 along with 2 other 750 twins.
I had adjusted the timing chain, but I can no longer get the timing past retarded and I cold hear chain slap, so I put it away about 5 or 6 years ago. Been riding my 85 XL 600 enduro. Grandson wants to get it going so on my suggestion he got a new primary chain. Looks like I was wrong, Thank you for the enlightenment.

Do you have the Kawasaki Service Manual? If not, you need it before you break your engine down. Also, in it you will see how to check the cam chain to see if it is within service limits. What led you to believe you need to replace it? How many miles are on the bike? Ed

While you're in there, you might as well check the tranny too. Big job.
Steve

Yes! you need to split the engine.
The primary chain is good for 75,000 miles so are you sure it needs replacing ?

I will assume you hare talking about the 750 twin. The primary chains on most motorcycles hardly ever needs replacing. They are robust and can take a lot of abuse. For example my 78 KZ650 which I bought new has over 150,000 miles on the bottom end of the engine and is still fine. I abused the crap out of the thing in my younger days, lots of wheelies, burn outs, ect.. Again what makes you think the chain is bad?

Stop YELLING at me !!! ( I'm case sensitive!)

He must be thinking it's like a Hog. Separate primary and tranny. :lol:
It lasts longer inside the engine.
Steve

Janosh wrote: I CANT FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THE PRIMARY CHAIN OFF THE CRANKSHAFT. DO i HAVE TO SPLIT THE BOTTOM OF THE CRANK CASE?

Yes. Getting to that chain is basically tearing the engine all the way down to the last bolt. If you don't have a factory manual, you won't have a prayer.

Hi guys, 

Primary chain slap is one thing, I've had that on my bike since I bought it, and its been fine.

Current Issue is I have had a starting issue on the bike, which was diagnosed as a worn starter clutch. That is, the starter isn't able to turn the engine over enough via the clutch as it 'slips'. I bought a replacement kit years ago that replaced the rollers and the pins etc. on the starter clutch and things went great.

Now all of a sudden I am at square one, same deal. What else could cause this issue? Could it be the primary chain is so worn/stretched that it slips on the crankshaft or secondary shaft gears? I have barely put 1000km on the bike since replacement of the starter clutch pins rollers etc. a few years ago.


 

It´s the worn out surface of the starter clutch gear where the rollers can´t get any grip!

I've not read back through the thread but if you only used a repair kit and not replaced the whole unit then you were lucky it lasted 1000 miles.  You need to replace the whole starter clutch and possibly the starter gear to get good results.
A worn starter gear will chew through a new starter clutch unit in fairly short time. 
 

ok, do you think just the starter gear replacement will do the trick or that I should replace the housing again too. 
That is that the damage is now done to the housing aswell?

Thanks so much for the quick replies guys!