TOPIC:

I just noticed my head gasket is blown, not just weeping. I can see smoke blowing out when it runs.
I've ordered a manual for it but before it gets here I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if I'm going to have to pull the engine or if I can get the head off with the engine still in the frame.
Any other helpful advice on this project is also appreciated.
Thanks,Al.

it looks to me like there should be plenty of room to do it in the the frame,if not wrap the frame up really good and yank the motor it should come out pretty easy.maybe try torqing the head bolts first,it might by you some more riding time before you have to tear it apart.

I have the complete Kawasaki manual for the KL250, which engine wise is the same as your KZ250. I can scan anything you need.
The head will come off in the bike. Believe it or not the 250 uses the came piston as the KZ1000. So you could possibly find an oversized piston with a bigger dome and bump the compression up.
thats what some day i want to do to my KL250.

Thanks for the advice and the offer of scanned pages. I'll wait for my manual to come so I wouldn't have to inconvenience you, the part will probably be here after the manual anyway.