Z1OwnersClub GB

Hi all.

Had the out engine for the chassis powder coating. Ideal time to fix the head / cam cover oil oil leaks and a proper clean.

Post disassembly checking the cam clearances and came across this. Not so heathy but the bike ran and sounded excellent nether the less. Was told this bike had stood for 10 years before being imported to the UK. Gasket was perfect on the cover so this is condensation damage. Parts still available from Kawasaki should I decide to replace after a cleaning up.

I'm rebuilding the top end using a Japanese pattern gasket set. Rather annoyingly they [ looked at a few makes ] don't supply the head oil gallery fat O Rings. Not cheap items from Kawasaki.

should be ok if you clean it with a scotch pad & a coating of ACF 50

I'd just whip the whole mechanism off, drop it in some cheap supermarket cola overnight (other, more expensive brands are also available tho.) pull it apart, cola dip again n lightly grease the parts, paying attention to the condition of the springs which are often f'ed n only pennies to replace. m. EDIT; its only about a £1 for 2litres of cola, so a bottle of vodka should save any environmental waste..

Have used Athena and gasket sets and both come with correct O rings but make sure you fit the correct size which fits in outer edge of head gasket which you fit first and ensure camchain one is fitted right way round and don't use gasket sealer which when hot and running can cause leaks and yes have done it and rebuilt.lol Same with base gasket. Can use aftermarket piston tools when engine out of frame but difficult when in frame so much easier with and patience plus good torches and can be quite easy sometimes especially with standard bores due to good taper on bottom of barrels. Ensure bigger bores have a taper or lead before putting barrels on another problem encountered by me. Hope this helps and advance retard will clean up okay just bit of oil on and move by hand to check movement before fitting pick up plate and ensure trigger head lines up with raised portion on auto advaance