Kawboy's restoration/conversion of a 1980 KZ13

Kawboy wrote:

It's hard to believe these chains are still within service limits, although they are at the maximum limit.

 

How many miles on that mill KB?

Will you use Cerakote on the engine cases?

Kawboy wrote:

It's hard to believe these chains are still within service limits, although they are at the maximum limit.



 

How many miles on that mill KB?

65 K. Hard to believe. Scotch has over 120K ?? And still on the original chains.

Will you use Cerakote on the engine cases?

The Cerakote I used on the cylinder sleeves would be the Cadillac coating for sure. I would have to completely strip the engine and sandblast the cases then clean up after blasting. Not that it couldn't be  done, I  just struggle to  see the advantage. I'll rough up the cases with a Scotchbrite pad and squirt with VHT Engine Enamel. All good. Then down the road, if I  have to touch up some areas, just some spot painting.

Hard to believe. Scotch has over 120K ?? And still on the original chains.

Currently have 115,315 K on the bike.  Top-end was done at 93,446 K.  I had ordered a new cam-chain but didn't use it.   All 3 chains were well within limits. 
"Frequent oil/filter changes and routine maintenance"  !

I've spent the last couple of days tapping out the casing half joint bolt holes, while staring at the new primary, secondary and camshaft chains, thinking once I add the new oil pump drive gear, I'm just about ready to reassemble the engine. then I look at the tiny chain that drives the water pump drive shaft and wonder if I shouldn't replace it for peace of mind. So I grab the chain and flex it sideways to try and determine the wear of the chain. Roller chains when new might flex 10-15 degrees to each side. this one I can bend almost 45 degrees like Bobby Hull's curved blade hockey stick. ( now that might give you a hint to my age). There's no spec in the manual for measuring the chain for wear, so it's a judgement call. Yup, replace the chain is the thinking because if the chain breaks, I'll be on the side of the road which is something a mechanic would NEVER admit to and when it breaks, I'm sure it would get snarled up in the new oil pump drive gear. So not worth taking a chance.

I measured up all the critical measurements for a roller chain and check the roller chain dimension charts. Everything about this chain points to a #25 standard roller chain Except the roller diameter. I measured .125" for the roller diameter but the #25 roller chain has a .130" diameter roller, no exceptions. So what are the chances that the rollers on this chain have worn down .005" ?? This is something I've never measured in the past on a roller chain. Every chain I've changed out was a standard chain and I never had to actually measure a chain to figure out what type of chain it was.

So I plan to buy 2 ft of the #25 chain ($20 CDN) and check it for fit on the drive sprocket on the secondary shaft and if it fits, great. If not, the search is on.

 

Too much flex for my liking.