KZ 400 Kawakazi Almost Finished!!!
- Thread starter veaone
- Start date
veaone
Been Around the Block
Re: KZ 400 Kawakazi Build
Small update. Got a battery box welded and majority of stuff primed. I started to notice small imperfections at some places and was wondering if i can reapply bondo on top of the primer? Currently it has a coat of self etch epoxy primer and a couple coats of generic automotive primer.
Getting ready to paint : )
Small update. Got a battery box welded and majority of stuff primed. I started to notice small imperfections at some places and was wondering if i can reapply bondo on top of the primer? Currently it has a coat of self etch epoxy primer and a couple coats of generic automotive primer.
Getting ready to paint : )
Autotek
You cant put a price on awesome.
Re: KZ 400 Kawakazi Build
Sure you can, just be sure to block it well to avoid feathered edges. A trick you can use to find imperfections is to mist the entire surface with black primer then block sand it. The low spots will remain black and the high spots will sand back to gray quickly.
Sure you can, just be sure to block it well to avoid feathered edges. A trick you can use to find imperfections is to mist the entire surface with black primer then block sand it. The low spots will remain black and the high spots will sand back to gray quickly.
Autotek
You cant put a price on awesome.
Re: KZ 400 Kawakazi Build
I have a NOS speedo in the box if you are planning to use stock instruments and need one let me know. I was concerned that mine was broken and was in a rush to get the bike on the road so I bought one before road testing mine and mine was fine.
I have a NOS speedo in the box if you are planning to use stock instruments and need one let me know. I was concerned that mine was broken and was in a rush to get the bike on the road so I bought one before road testing mine and mine was fine.
veaone
Been Around the Block
Re: KZ 400 Kawakazi Build
I feel i finally starting to get somewhere! I got my frame re-cleared at my friends paint shop and it looks amazing. The tanks is still at his shop, getting extra coats of clear. If your in Philadelphia area i can recommend a great guy to get stuff painted. Also installed my rims and handlebars. Next is to get the engine painted and reassembled.
Emgo Tracker style handlebars i got for $35 it's a steal and they look great
I welded custom battery box and it has lots of room for ballistics 8 cell battery and electronics.
I feel i finally starting to get somewhere! I got my frame re-cleared at my friends paint shop and it looks amazing. The tanks is still at his shop, getting extra coats of clear. If your in Philadelphia area i can recommend a great guy to get stuff painted. Also installed my rims and handlebars. Next is to get the engine painted and reassembled.
Emgo Tracker style handlebars i got for $35 it's a steal and they look great
I welded custom battery box and it has lots of room for ballistics 8 cell battery and electronics.
veaone
Been Around the Block
Re: KZ 400 Kawakazi Engine Help!
Hey Guys,
I am at the last stage at putting the engine together. Basically all is left is a rocker box. When i bolt it on it prevents the engine from turning. When it's of i can easily turn the engine using a wrench. It seems that at some point when i turn the engine it reaches a point where one of the rockers has no room to move. Would anyone know what that could be? Thanks for the help.
Hey Guys,
I am at the last stage at putting the engine together. Basically all is left is a rocker box. When i bolt it on it prevents the engine from turning. When it's of i can easily turn the engine using a wrench. It seems that at some point when i turn the engine it reaches a point where one of the rockers has no room to move. Would anyone know what that could be? Thanks for the help.
Re: KZ 400 Kawakazi Build
it kinda sounds like you are not at top dead center, or your cam isn't in right. i would double check all timing and positioning stuff one more time. just be really careful not to force anything. dont tighten the valve cover sown until you know you are all lined up. i just used my shop manual step by step when i put my bike back together. did you take the rockers out of the valve cover? could they have been installed in the wrong position. i hope this helps. i will thunk about it more and get back to you. good luck.
it kinda sounds like you are not at top dead center, or your cam isn't in right. i would double check all timing and positioning stuff one more time. just be really careful not to force anything. dont tighten the valve cover sown until you know you are all lined up. i just used my shop manual step by step when i put my bike back together. did you take the rockers out of the valve cover? could they have been installed in the wrong position. i hope this helps. i will thunk about it more and get back to you. good luck.
veaone
Been Around the Block
Re: KZ 400 Kawakazi
Thanks MF,
I went and investigated the timing issue and found out that it was incorrect. I originally referred to youtube for how to set the cam timing and it was wrong. Then i found a manual online for a previous model and it gave a bit more insight and everything seems to turn properly now. Here's the way i set it up.
The arrow on the can sprocket needs to be pointing to the right and parallel to the engine and the timing advancer needs to be at the "T" mark.
MILLENNIUM FALCON said:
Thanks MF,
I went and investigated the timing issue and found out that it was incorrect. I originally referred to youtube for how to set the cam timing and it was wrong. Then i found a manual online for a previous model and it gave a bit more insight and everything seems to turn properly now. Here's the way i set it up.
The arrow on the can sprocket needs to be pointing to the right and parallel to the engine and the timing advancer needs to be at the "T" mark.
veaone
Been Around the Block
Re: KZ 400 Kawakazi
So the engine is back together. I cleaned it pretty good, painted some parts and replaced all the gaskets and seals.
So on a side note. Painting the engine was kinda tedious. First there is lots of masking you need to do and second the high temp engine enamel is not very durable. I've been as careful as posible not to ding or scratch anything, but still got a fare share of places where the paint came of. I honestly would recommend to get it professionally powder coated.
So the engine is back together. I cleaned it pretty good, painted some parts and replaced all the gaskets and seals.
So on a side note. Painting the engine was kinda tedious. First there is lots of masking you need to do and second the high temp engine enamel is not very durable. I've been as careful as posible not to ding or scratch anything, but still got a fare share of places where the paint came of. I honestly would recommend to get it professionally powder coated.
Re: KZ 400 Kawakazi Build
Looks great Man! I'm glad you got it back together. I know how much of a pain that stuff can be. When I put my 400 back together I had all the cam stuff and engine assembly right, but I put the timing advance plate on 180 degrees off, so It would not start. It took me forever to figure out what was wrong. Doesn't it feel good once you figure out what the problem is? Your engine paint will be much more durable and resistant to chemicals once it gets hot a few times. I tried to bake as much of it as I could before I installed the engine. Prep/Mask/Paint on an engine is a huge pain in the butt. It takes FOREVER! Keep up the good work.
Looks great Man! I'm glad you got it back together. I know how much of a pain that stuff can be. When I put my 400 back together I had all the cam stuff and engine assembly right, but I put the timing advance plate on 180 degrees off, so It would not start. It took me forever to figure out what was wrong. Doesn't it feel good once you figure out what the problem is? Your engine paint will be much more durable and resistant to chemicals once it gets hot a few times. I tried to bake as much of it as I could before I installed the engine. Prep/Mask/Paint on an engine is a huge pain in the butt. It takes FOREVER! Keep up the good work.
7aliveatlast7
the bearded hessian
Re: KZ 400 Kawakazi Build
hey man, had to comment as we're 45 mins away from each other and have practically the same bike. mine's an 81 kz44o, but they're almost identical at their base. you did a really nice job on the build, i can't wait to see it all back together. mine's just about done as well, should be tying it all up within the next week or so. here's a crappy pic of mine.
hey man, had to comment as we're 45 mins away from each other and have practically the same bike. mine's an 81 kz44o, but they're almost identical at their base. you did a really nice job on the build, i can't wait to see it all back together. mine's just about done as well, should be tying it all up within the next week or so. here's a crappy pic of mine.
