Kawasaki KR1000 Endurance Replica
- Thread starter Exige
- Start date
Now then Exi, hopefully this might not affect your builds engine but please allow me to bring this to you attention, just in case it does.
I also frequent the Z1 Owners forum & there is a thread on that forum relating to what I believe is the same generator/alternator setup that you have used on your build. See the link below,
z1ownersclub.co.uk
I've not really read it that deeply, but it seems there in an issue with an oil-way in the alternator housing either not there or being un-plugged or plugged, which causes a loss of oil pressure to the cylinder head.
This might be something you should check out, like I say, just in case !!
I think this might be his build thread that he was referring to regarding the "fix" for plugging the oil-way !? Post #218 seems to be the relevant post highlighting the exact problem.
z1ownersclub.co.uk
I also frequent the Z1 Owners forum & there is a thread on that forum relating to what I believe is the same generator/alternator setup that you have used on your build. See the link below,
Z1OwnersClub GB - Login
I've not really read it that deeply, but it seems there in an issue with an oil-way in the alternator housing either not there or being un-plugged or plugged, which causes a loss of oil pressure to the cylinder head.
This might be something you should check out, like I say, just in case !!
I think this might be his build thread that he was referring to regarding the "fix" for plugging the oil-way !? Post #218 seems to be the relevant post highlighting the exact problem.
Z1OwnersClub GB - Login
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CoolNow then Exi, hopefully this might not affect your builds engine but please allow me to bring this to you attention, just in case it does.
I also frequent the Z1 Owners forum & there is a thread on that forum relating to what I believe is the same generator/alternator setup that you have used on your build. See the link below,
Z1OwnersClub GB - Login
I've not really read it that deeply, but it seems there in an issue with an oil-way in the alternator housing either not there or being un-plugged or plugged, which causes a loss of oil pressure to the cylinder head.
This might be something you should check out, like I say, just in case !!
I think this might be his build thread that he was referring to regarding the "fix" for plugging the oil-way !? Post #218 seems to be the relevant post highlighting the exact problem.
Z1OwnersClub GB - Login
thanks for that and the link, I will investigate it further... 
It seems that the original Kawasaki cover, once it's bolted in place, blocks the main oil gallery off. The new replacement cover for the new alternator doesn't have the boss that blocks the gallery & consequently oil that should be going up into the head to lube the cams/valves/etc doesn't !!
It's definitly worth checking before you run the engine again !!
It's definitly worth checking before you run the engine again !!
I still have the old cover to check - I have read of Electrex Worlds poor customer service before but an equal amount of good reviews too. It's appalling if they have known of this for years and done nothing!
Yes it is, it would just need to be built again if it blew upSo, it's still not finished !!
but not take 15 years like your 2nd build 
I checked every screw hole on the engine and managed to go + 5mm on many including the cam cap bolts that people tent to strip
You’re banned from the Z1 Owners Club for being a heathen!!Cool
Z1B killer!
I need to get it back in the garage and strapped to the ceiling so I can lean it over so I don't have to drain the oilFingers crossed yours is OK
looks like I will definitely need a plug, still can't believe Electrex World haven't sorted this issue or even made note of it in the kits! 
I owe you a beer (thank god you only drink halves
as that could have been expensive!) I'll take the cover off next week after it's MOT
That "B" looks very scabby compared to my A4 !!
If your replica ever gets finished I'll settle for a quick blat !!
You'll need to get a move on though as I'll be seventy in a couple of years & time may be running out for my back to be able to cope !
This really is the beauty of the internet, a bit of luck too that I happened to read the post about this issue on the Z1 forum, (another brilliant forum also inhabited by some great people !) & I'd not yet started on the Moretti & San Miguel !I need to get it back in the garage and strapped to the ceiling so I can lean it over so I don't have to drain the oil
I owe you a beer (thank god you only drink halves
I'll take the cover off next week after it's MOT
If your replica ever gets finished I'll settle for a quick blat !!
You'll need to get a move on though as I'll be seventy in a couple of years & time may be running out for my back to be able to cope !
A4’s aren’t even proper Z1’sThat "B" looks very scabby compared to my A4 !!
View attachment 100180
This really is the beauty of the internet, a bit of luck too that I happened to read the post about this issue on the Z1 forum, (another brilliant forum also inhabited by some great people !) & I'd not yet started on the Moretti & San Miguel !
If your replica ever gets finished I'll settle for a quick blat !!
If your that old and feeble I best get you a thimble full of beer
Good spot on’ tinternet
there was plenty of oil in the head when I stripped it for the base gasket but the pressure must be severely reduced as the path of least resistance would be through that hole 
and back to the sump 
....round of applause for mr CAT3 .....
and the guys on the kwacker forum .....
Ger
Well-known member
I remember having a rattly mini ...thought I'd do the tappets .. bone dry....found out the oil gallery position was changed on later heads or early heads can't remember.....someone had changed the head and used the original rocker posts ...gallery no longer matched up .....ouch....being and old thing made of machined pig iron it survived.....
While you've got the cover off Exi, I'd counterbore the mounting holes for the cap head screws/bolts, (whatever you want to call them !!I need to get it back in the garage and strapped to the ceiling so I can lean it over so I don't have to drain the oil
I owe you a beer (thank god you only drink halves
I'll take the cover off next week after it's MOT
) like zed1015 has done on his engine. I know you've used low profile head cap head fixings, which look better than the standard heads, but you wouldn't need to counterbore as deep as he did & it does look much better !! How very rude, A4's are for decerning owners, the last & most refined of all Z1's !!A4’s aren’t even proper Z1’s
If your that old and feeble I best get you a thimble full of beer
Good spot on’ tinternet
I can't believe you have said that after all the help I've given you on your build !!
The oil pressure on these engines is very low in fairness, due to the roller bearings on the crank not needing high pressure to get the oil into the bearing surfaces. I'm sure "normal" oil pressure is only around the 2-3psi mark so this most likely helps & in this instance has helped avoid a cataspheric disaster in the head even though the cams run in shell bearings, (I'm assuming they are the same as my A4 engine?).
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I like the low cap heads on the flush face betterWhile you've got the cover off Exi, I'd counterbore the mounting holes for the cap head screws/bolts, (whatever you want to call them !!
How very rude, A4's are for decerning owners, the last & most refined of all Z1's !!
I can't believe you have said that after all the help I've given you on your build !!
The oil pressure on these engines is very low in fairness, due to the roller bearings on the crank not needing high pressure to get the oil into the bearing surfaces. I'm sure "normal" oil pressure is only around the 2-3psi mark so this most likely helps & in this instance has helped avoid a cataspheric disaster in the head even though the cams run in shell bearings, (I'm assuming they are the same as my A4 engine?).
Your A4 isn’t the last of the Z1’s but the first Z1000 with the smaller engine
Yes very low pressure engines with shells
hmmmmm 
It's finally finished!
I've just had a look in my Z900's workshop manual to refresh my old memory & the standard oil pressure is quoted as 2.8 psi.
I'm guessing because it's that low the oil pump must pump quite a volume out when the engine is running to keep the crank's roller bearing supplied with enough oil so hopefully, like you say Exi, because there was plenty of oil in the top of the engine things will be OK
IT IS A 900 BY THE WAY, NOT A Z1000 !! HOW VERY RUDE !
I'm guessing because it's that low the oil pump must pump quite a volume out when the engine is running to keep the crank's roller bearing supplied with enough oil so hopefully, like you say Exi, because there was plenty of oil in the top of the engine things will be OK
IT IS A 900 BY THE WAY, NOT A Z1000 !!
HOW VERY RUDE !
903cc with Z1000 Bodywork - now get those wheels changedI've just had a look in my Z900's workshop manual to refresh my old memory & the standard oil pressure is quoted as 2.8 psi.
I'm guessing because it's that low the oil pump must pump quite a volume out when the engine is running to keep the crank's roller bearing supplied with enough oil so hopefully, like you say Exi, because there was plenty of oil in the top of the engine things will be OK
IT IS A 900 BY THE WAY, NOT A Z1000 !!
He, he !!I like the low cap heads on the flush face better because it looks shit like some of my brackets !
Those wheels are genuine Lester's & all the rage in the early '80's when I put them on !903cc with Z1000 Bodywork - now get those wheels changed
Yes I know, they were on my Z1000A2 when I bought it unfortunately, now get some proper onesThose wheels are genuine Lester's & all the rage in the early '80's when I put them on !
Nope, your brackets are shit and it looks nothing like themHe, he !!
