Camshafts on left side (#1, #2)
Monthly Archives: August 2013
Cam Chain
Picture of the cam chain from the right side for posterity. Cylinder/camshaft head cover off.
Carbs and Tank off
Carbs and tank off. Ready to tackle the cylinder head cover & camshafts.
The Carbs
Pulled the carbs off on Wednesday (8/14/13). Note the missing flaps on the slides on #2 & #3. These are brittle & when the holding pin works its way loose the flapper, pin, and spring call all make their way into the combustion chamber as can be seen a couple of posts from now. If you’re lucky they pass through quickly and exit via the exhaust without causing too much damage. If not they get pulverized & stuck in the valves/pistons.
Note: I did not find this to be the royal pain in the ask that most internet forums make it out to be. A little time consuming but if you work at steady pace & don’t feel rushed or like it should fall apart like wet butter it actually comes out pretty easy. Just take out bolts you’re supposed to/or loosen, roll springs on back carb holders (remove said carb holders if you feel like – easier to pull into air box), tap away from front with rubber mallet & then pry slowly away from front with 1/2″ ratchet handle (requires very little pressure).
Breaking it down
What it looks like now (August 17, 2013)
The KZ550 has died
I was attempting to leave a meeting last Monday afternoon & when i went to start the bike it idled for about 30 seconds & then cut out. It took a few attempts to get it started again & while i was having to hold the throttle open at least it was running & at least it was almost entirely downhill to my house. But … while it ran like crap with the choke on there was an awful noise coming from the left side of the engine. A nice high pitched clanging noise to be a bit more precise.
So what do i do? I get the bike home with this loud noise coming from the engine & wondering what to do exactly. A few googled & y0utube searches later & I’m thinking it could be a bad carb/lost cyclinder. Next steps a) take the carbs off, b) take the ignition coils off, c) take the camshaft cover off, d) take the camshafts out, e) take the cylinder head section out, f), start posting pics about the condition of the bike & what the heck i’m going to do now.
