LTD Engine Refresh

[LTD Project]

What: KZ1000 engine
Why: The parts have lain scatter around the garage taking up space for too many years

So I have started to tidy up the place by rebuilding the engine, no real strategy here. I might put it in my existing LTD, might sell it… might try and put a special together?

Anyway, amazing how much space is taken up by an engine in its constituent parts, spares etc.

So collecting together the best of what I have, a start has been made by getting all casings and covers aqua blasted to give a reasonable appearance to the rebuilt engine.

Am pleased with the results having picked up the pieces yesterday. Next step is to take the crankcase halves and thoroughly clean the internals, tap and blow the internal threads etc to ready for the bottom end build up.

Then to assess the three cranks available to the best of my ability before sending off for balance check and welding.

Can anyone recommend a good crank services guy in the Yorkshire area?

Whilst that is off I can collect the necessary dowel pins, bearings, seals, gaskets to make a start on it’s return.

In no rush but would like to finish by April.

[Bill P]

That looks a good start to a nice winter project , look forward to more pics of rebuild

[Skid Mark]

I bet Mrs. H was out with the girls when you put that lump together on her countertop Simon!
Good luck with the build!

[LTD Project]

She was not out.... and the noise was such that it stayed there only as long as it took to take the pics...

[LTD Project]

So suitably recovered from over consumption and a mild cold… I got on with cleaning out all the threads after the aqua blast.

I noticed a well mangled spark plug thread in the head. The bottom half is good, is there an argument to say that, if the hole is cleaned up a bit, that there is enough thread to hold the spark plug or am I wishful thinking?

Can you repair via Timesert / Helicoil method a plug thread? Or is it beyond saving? See pics…

[zed1015]

That plug thread is too iffy to risk leaving as is.
It just needs helicoiling or timeserting.
Despite what some say, Helicoils are more than up to the job if fitted correctly.
I have helicoils in some of my heads and my daily rider of 25 years and never had one come out..

[r3sc]

I would helicoil it. I’ve done a number over the years and never had any trouble at all.

If you do go down the helicoil route I’d pay a bit more and get a decent quality kit!

[LTD Project]

Thanks Zed and R3.

Timesert kit very expensive.

If going for a Helicoil kit can anyone recommend a “good quality kit” as suggested…. I would not know good from bad.

[zed1015]

Genuine Helicoil or Re-coil give good results but i've never had problems with any i've used.
The crucial part is drilling and tapping the plug hole square which determines the end result.