TOPIC:

Welp, my KZ has lived disassembled in the back of my gayraj far too long, so I am finally gathering what I need to get it back on the road.  I will start a proper build thread soon, but wanted to begin with this thread, as I will have some preliminary questions. I have been accumulating some parts along the way, and here are the most recent arrivals.

 

I did wonder when this one was going to get off the ground   early signs look promising with some choice parts. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it 

Welp, here is my first question. The cams I have require shim on bottom (under the buckets). I have long assumed that I could use a nice set from a 650/750 engine, but have recently been advised that the stock followers cannot long withstand high lift cams. 
What say ye experienced engine builders?

TexasKZ wrote:

Welp, here is my first question. The cams I have require shim on bottom (under the buckets). I have long assumed that I could use a nice set from a 650/750 engine, but have recently been advised that the stock followers cannot long withstand high lift cams. 
What say ye experienced engine builders?





 

That is BS.

I recently put together a 1327 drag engine with "good" stock 650 buckets. I asked my engine guy who has built many hundreds of drag engines if they would be OK for .460-.480" lift cams, his answer was yes. He did mention when you get to .500" lift and over that is when you would need them mostly for the high spring pressures involved because they are made out of 8620 hardened steel. Drag engines target 110-120 PSI seat pressure, street engines 80-90 PSI so quite a bit of a difference on the force generated back onto the cam lobes.

My 650 based alcohol injected drag bike is running +.440" lift cams with stock 650 buckets. A few bucket top failures but that was attributed to lack of proper oiling due to alcohol contamination. On that bike I was also using 20W50 car oil because it was changed out after every outing (lack of Zinc = not good)

I am currently putting together a 1197 street motor using 750 buckets, cams are .425" lift. I don't expect any issues.

I have also logged a lot of street miles on stock 650 buckets with .400" lift cams with zero issues.

APE says you have to use aftermarket buckets over .410" lift and titanium retainers - also BS, just want you to spend extra $$
All my builds use stock 650 retainers, titanium is only for serious race engines.

If you use assembly lube on the lifters and cams before start up using good quality conventional (non synthetic) motorcycle oil there should be no issues.

 

I must admit, I was kinda expecting an oil thread-like series of responses. Looks like a unanimous response.

Welp, on to a new topic. Once upon a time, I was told that a GSXR 750 axle would fit my GS swingarm and GPz wheel, and would be much lighter since it is hollow. So without checking first, I ordered one. I am now the proud owner of a brand new, shiny axle that is much too large in diameter to fit what I have. 

Anybody need one? Is there a hollow axle that really will fit?

What diameter is it you require, the 600 bandit axle I am using is hollow and much smaller than a GSXR

Ditto Injected's thoughts on the 650/750 buckets, have been using them for years with moderate cam lifts and never a problem. Even use them on Kawasaki KLR650's. Only issue for me is i have a Huge tray of SOB shims but very little shim selection for the 650/750 buckets.

Wookie58 wrote:

What diameter is it you require, the 600 bandit axle I am using is hollow and much smaller than a GSXR

It needs to be 20 mm, same as the KZ1000, but a bit shorter. From what I can tell, the 600 Bandit is also 20mm. Guess I need to determine the length I need.

TexasKZ wrote:

Wookie58 wrote:

What diameter is it you require, the 600 bandit axle I am using is hollow and much smaller than a GSXR

It needs to be 20 mm, same as the KZ1000, but a bit shorter. From what I can tell, the 600 Bandit is also 20mm. Guess I need to determine the length I need.

I am using the bandit axle in a GSXR swingarm so worst case is you might need to shorten it a little for your application (can't compare length as I chopped up the KZ axle to make the rose joint inserts for the torque arm  )

You would be amazed at selection of Kawasaki, solid of course not hollow, axles out there. I've got three that from memory are shorter than the KZ1000 already plated. Thinking they came from various triples but all correct diameter to match the bearings/brake plate/sprocket collar and adjusters. Establish Your length, are you in the states?

The crap i have, Measurements shown are from underneath the head to end of threads. 

Wookie58 wrote:

What diameter is it you require, the 600 bandit axle I am using is hollow and much smaller than a GSXR

I need 20mm, same as stock KZ, but it needs to be longer. From the bottom of the head to the beginning of the threads should be about 310mm. The stock KZ axle measures about 267 and the GPz looks to be about 330 or so.