TOPIC:

Haven't tried anything yet. Just awaiting for parts to come. Was just trying to have everything here before I tackle the job. I did drop by ACE Hardware and picked up both 3/8" and 1/2" steel ball bearings.

Originally I described what I was experiencing when starting the bike with the electric starter. I just started it again to make sure I'm hearing what I think is happening.When you hit the stater button, the motor turns over but will appear to be experiencing a gear engagement problem, then a brief gear wine. When this happens, I release the starter button then try again until the motor will start the bike without skipping or wining as before.

If it's not the starter clutch that I'm hearing even though the bike does start with electric starter, would there be another problem I should be aware of that may be causing this problem?

Has it been sitting? It is gear driven. They last a long time on the big fours unless messed with. Might be able to clean it up and use it. Springs might be collapsed but I doubt it.

This bike started as a project that had not been registered since 1988. I purchased it from a co-worker who claims he obtained it over 10 years ago but never did anything with it. So to make a long story short, I put it back together and went thru all the electrical and mechanical issues. Purchased a lot of used parts from Brian KZ10006 and with a lot of support from the Forum members got it running pretty good. The biggest thing was that there was a lot of small metal shavings in the old dirty black oil when I changed it. So who knows? Bike as it sat before looked like the old saying goes " Rode Hard and Put Away Wet". Valve adjustment to spec, Points and Timing correct, Carb. totally rebuilt, Cam chain set. Bike is a little noisey inside but who knows?

Bike is a Chain Driven 77' KZ1000A.

How are your cam chain rollers?
Steve

Steve, The motor was complete just sitting in the frame less carbs. and exhaust. So when I first changed the oil, I pulled the valve cover and visually looked at the cams, cam sprockets, cam chain, and upper cam chain guide. Rotated the engine several times and couldn't see any visual damages to any of the above items. I wouldn't know without pulling the head or tearing the motor apart how the front cam chain guide, sprocket and roller look like. As well had chain tensioner and lower cam chain roller guide assembly look too.

I did replace all the cover gaskets. When I pulled the pan I did notice a couple of smaller metal pieces inside about the thickness of a thin feeler gauge and about a 1/4" in dimeter. Have no idea what?

Removed the oil pump assembly and inspected.Appeared to be fine. Replaced the oil o-rings. Nothing looked out of the ordinary from underneath.

Bike shifts into gears fine and doesn't jump out of them. Bike appears to get a little noisier when accelerating to higher speeds? Will try to take it out for a little run and try to determine where the noise might be coming from?

OK next question, was the chain adjuster plunger fully extended? You can't really see the lower rollers unless the head is off.
Steve

Bad center idler roller.
Steve

Steve, I guess what your saying is to remove the outside self adjusting cam chain tensioner without re-setting it's adjustment and see if the internal plunger is out all the way? If I recall, I changed that gasket earlier to make sure it didn't leak oil there and the plunger assembly looked good.

As far as the upper cam chain guide assembly, it looks like I can move without disturbing anything else like removing cams, chain etc. ?. Doesn't look like Z! Ent. has a Stock one available? Any recommendations on another one to use if this assembly is bad?

Would be Great if the Starter Clutch or Upper Cam Chain guide would fix the problems.

Pic of the cam chain adjuster? 77 didn't have the self adjuster.
Steve

Here's a pic of the rollers when I took Bossie apart in 13. I knew the rollers were old and coming apart. The rubber ones are hard and wouldn't last. The front guide was gone, just the mount was left. The chain was riding on the head. Metal in the pan. You can see a bent valve. It was from a long time ago when I used old parts and didn't listen the the noises. I just put a 450 Honda push rod in the adjuster because it was longer. STUPID I paid with bent valves and all that went with it when my cam chain broke.
Steve

Steve, I really appreciate the time you have spent addressing my Post with answers and pictures. But before I spend the money for either a starter clutch rebuild kit or starter, which of the 2 items would be a more logical choice to change out after reading the problems that I am experiencing with starting the bike ?

When I remove the valve cover again, I'll rotate the engine several times and look at the upper cam chain assembly very closely with light and see if I can see any obvious problems.

Just for grins, can a cam chain be change out with pulling the motor apart? I know it would necessitate breaking the existing cam chain, but could you tie another New chain to it and snake it around the cam gears?

That can be done. Pic of the adjuster? The early automatic had problems but if you have a manual one, I'd take it off and check if it's fully extended or not. That will tell the story.
Steve