1980 KZ650 check Valve Clearance
- 650E
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1980 KZ650 check Valve Clearance
29 Feb 2020 10:46
I was, essentially, given this project bike 1981 KZ750 chassis, 2 engines (650 & 750) and a few boxes of parts. Both engines ran on my test stand and I installed the 650 (due to kick starter). Long story short... bike starts up really easy and seems to run fine but a bit of noise up top.
Checking valves today. FSM says to bring 1&4 T mark up to timing mark and check 1&4 cyl, then same thing for 2&3. The FSM I bought for 1981 KZ750, not the 1980 650.
When follow the procedure, I get no/none/0 clearance on any cyl - intake or exhaust (my feeler gauge only goes down to 0.008 or 0.203mm) so I'm calling that 0. Seems to me it would the same procedure for the 650. Seems unlikely that I'd get 0 on every valve but it was a basket case when I got it so I guess it's possible.
Any help would be greatly appreciated... I know I should get the other FSM but they're pretty similar engines, right?
Thanks
If it truly is 0, what shims should I get?
Checking valves today. FSM says to bring 1&4 T mark up to timing mark and check 1&4 cyl, then same thing for 2&3. The FSM I bought for 1981 KZ750, not the 1980 650.
When follow the procedure, I get no/none/0 clearance on any cyl - intake or exhaust (my feeler gauge only goes down to 0.008 or 0.203mm) so I'm calling that 0. Seems to me it would the same procedure for the 650. Seems unlikely that I'd get 0 on every valve but it was a basket case when I got it so I guess it's possible.
Any help would be greatly appreciated... I know I should get the other FSM but they're pretty similar engines, right?
Thanks
If it truly is 0, what shims should I get?
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- TexasKZ
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Re: 1980 KZ650 check Valve Clearance
29 Feb 2020 11:56
Here is a downloadable factory manual for the 1981 650. The valve adjustment should be the same as 1980. I suspect the 750 is also the same.
www.kzrider.com/modules/ServiceManuals/K...l%20KZ650%201981.pdf
Zero lash is sadly all too common . Too many owners neglect it because it is expensive to have a shop do it and it is “too scary” to do at home. You will likely need to do a bit of trial and error to get them all correctly gapped.
One way to do it is to buy a shim kit. Another way is to pluck them all out, carefully noting where each shim came from, and start a couple of sizes thinner on each one. You may be able to swap around some of the ones you have to different valves to get the proper measurement.
www.kzrider.com/modules/ServiceManuals/K...l%20KZ650%201981.pdf
Zero lash is sadly all too common . Too many owners neglect it because it is expensive to have a shop do it and it is “too scary” to do at home. You will likely need to do a bit of trial and error to get them all correctly gapped.
One way to do it is to buy a shim kit. Another way is to pluck them all out, carefully noting where each shim came from, and start a couple of sizes thinner on each one. You may be able to swap around some of the ones you have to different valves to get the proper measurement.
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24
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- 650E
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Re: 1980 KZ650 check Valve Clearance
29 Feb 2020 13:16
Wow! Thanks for the PDF. I love this forum!
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- gordone
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Re: 1980 KZ650 check Valve Clearance
01 Mar 2020 06:59
I don’t no where I have been without these forum to

1981 KZ650-D4, with 1981 z750L engine (Wiensco 810 big bore).
Project:
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/607213...sr-1981-z750l-engine
Project:
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/607213...sr-1981-z750l-engine
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- KZB2 650
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Re: 1980 KZ650 check Valve Clearance
01 Mar 2020 07:36
Need to pick up a set of feelers that goes down to .015 or .002........ .They might not be as tight as you think............... 003 to .007 is what your shooting for with .005 to.006 where I like to be at.
1978 KZ650 b-2
700cc Wiseco kit 10 to 1.
1980 KZ750 cam, ape springs, stock clutch/ Barnett springs.
Vance and Hines Header w/ comp baffle and Ape pods, Dyna S and green coils, copper wires.
29MM smooth bores W/ 17.5 pilots, 0-6s and 117.5 main
16/42 gearing X ring chain and alum rear JT sprocket.
700cc Wiseco kit 10 to 1.
1980 KZ750 cam, ape springs, stock clutch/ Barnett springs.
Vance and Hines Header w/ comp baffle and Ape pods, Dyna S and green coils, copper wires.
29MM smooth bores W/ 17.5 pilots, 0-6s and 117.5 main
16/42 gearing X ring chain and alum rear JT sprocket.
The following user(s) said Thank You: baldy110
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- 650E
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Re: 1980 KZ650 check Valve Clearance
01 Mar 2020 11:10 - 01 Mar 2020 11:17
Thanks... I realized that after I had posted the question.
Got a 25-blade set off Amazon from 0.04 -.0.220 mm.
Thanks again
Got a 25-blade set off Amazon from 0.04 -.0.220 mm.
Thanks again
Last edit: 01 Mar 2020 11:17 by 650E.
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