Kz440 Cylinder head - seeking advice/help
- blaise
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Kz440 Cylinder head - seeking advice/help
06 Dec 2020 18:18
Hi everyone!
I’m new here, and in the moto world! I have a KZ440D 1983, her name is Blaise and she’s my first bike. I decided to take on the top end rebuild myself. And I also want to customize her, so lockdown is pretty much the perfect time to do it. Now, taking her apart was fairly easy, but since I don’t know much about bikes, I found out today that the cylinder head does not look as it should. The valve seats look pretty shitty, I cleaned up one exhaust valve and when I went to take out the other, I couldn’t and noticed it was beat up on the top of the stem. My question is can this head be helped, what would be the best way to tackle this “problem” and what should my next step be? I attached the photos of the valve, the steam (that’s beat up) and the exhaust seat. I would appreciate any help/advice possible! Help a girl out!
I’m new here, and in the moto world! I have a KZ440D 1983, her name is Blaise and she’s my first bike. I decided to take on the top end rebuild myself. And I also want to customize her, so lockdown is pretty much the perfect time to do it. Now, taking her apart was fairly easy, but since I don’t know much about bikes, I found out today that the cylinder head does not look as it should. The valve seats look pretty shitty, I cleaned up one exhaust valve and when I went to take out the other, I couldn’t and noticed it was beat up on the top of the stem. My question is can this head be helped, what would be the best way to tackle this “problem” and what should my next step be? I attached the photos of the valve, the steam (that’s beat up) and the exhaust seat. I would appreciate any help/advice possible! Help a girl out!

KZ440 D ltd, 1983
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- Nebr_Rex
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Re: Kz440 Cylinder head - seeking advice/help
07 Dec 2020 18:23
Your best option is to take it to a a machinist who works on motorcycles.
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2002 ZRX1200R
81 GPz1100
79 KZ1000st daily ride
79 KZ1000mk2 prodject
78 KZ650sr
78 KZ650b
81 KZ750e
80 KZ750ltd
77 KZ400/440 cafe project
76 KZ400/440 Fuel Injected
www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=39120.0
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81 GPz1100
79 KZ1000st daily ride
79 KZ1000mk2 prodject
78 KZ650sr
78 KZ650b
81 KZ750e
80 KZ750ltd
77 KZ400/440 cafe project
76 KZ400/440 Fuel Injected
www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=39120.0
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- Nessism
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Re: Kz440 Cylinder head - seeking advice/help
07 Dec 2020 19:06
I agree that paying a pro is the ideal situation. 2nd best option is to clean all the carbon off via soda blasting or mechanical means and then assess the extent of the wear. The valves can be ground to clean up the sealing face and stem, and the valve seats can be cleaned up via lapping once the valves are done. This is no guarantee that everything will be hunky dory afterwards, but it's worth a try if money is tight.
Ed
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/61807...-o-ring-kits?start=0
www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know
1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/61807...-o-ring-kits?start=0
www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know
1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread
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- blaise
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Re: Kz440 Cylinder head - seeking advice/help
13 Dec 2020 18:27
Hey guys! Thanks for your input! 
I tried lapping and cleaning of the valves, but the seats and valves still don’t look proper and was told it probably needs recutting. So I’ll be taking the head, valves, pistons and the cylinder jug to a machinist and go from there

I tried lapping and cleaning of the valves, but the seats and valves still don’t look proper and was told it probably needs recutting. So I’ll be taking the head, valves, pistons and the cylinder jug to a machinist and go from there

KZ440 D ltd, 1983
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- TexasKZ
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Re: Kz440 Cylinder head - seeking advice/help
14 Dec 2020 06:53
As Neber_Rex said, be sure to use a machinist that is experienced with motorcycle heads, and that he or she will carefully check the valve stem height, and tip them as necessary.
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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