Dropped dampers

Hey guys, I'm taking apart the 78 kz650, cleaning everything up, replacing piston rings and valve seals.
Last night when removing one of the pistons I bumped the cam chain retainer out and then noticed the 2 rubber dampers were GONE.

Now I drained the oil with a strainer and NOTHING. I removed the oil pan and NOTHING. I used a flashlight to my best ability and don't see anything.

The previous owner(s) seem to have been really sloppy with everything. Is there a chance they never installed the dampers?? I want to kick myself for not paying attention to whether they were there or not to begin with.

How screwed am i?? Thanks guys. You have always been unbelievably helpful.

Here's a pic from weeks ago before I may have lost the dampers....looks like they aren't there....

What dampers are you referring to? Ed

For the cam chain guide.

Thanks. Take a look at the cam chain guide roller shaft. If the ends of it are round it will not have rubber dampers (see 1st image below). If the ends of it have flats on it then it should have rubber dampers (see 2nd image below). Ed

Its ROUND! thank you so much ed! I LOVE you (in a friend way)!!!

I was losing my mind. Clymer steered me wrong today!

Thanks again ed!

The gasket keeps it in. The dampers are to lessen cam chain noise. I wonder why they didn't do that here. :huh:
Steve

SWest wrote: The gasket keeps it in. The dampers are to lessen cam chain noise. I wonder why they didn't do that here. :huh:
Steve

The early KZ650's had no dampers, but the later ones did. I guess someone at Kawasaki thought the dampers would help reduce the noise, but frankly I can't say I've ever heard mine (mine are the early no damper type). Of course my hearing is pretty bad, so maybe that's why I don't hear it. Ed