TOPIC:

Today I got a spare cylinder head in mail. Looks fantastic! All surfaces are pretty much perfect, the nylon gear inside looks better and practically new! The cylinders inside look perfect. The water pump mechanical seal seems perfect as well. And it doesn't need any paint!!! Perfect surface. So, I am really considering using this instead of what I have. You know, the one I'm painting black. Using the new one would change my engine color theme a bit. The head and cover would still be black, and the engine case most likely as well. Unless some sort of metallic titanium type color.

I just have to make sure both are compatible. The shape, the gears. There is one structural difference, and I will ask about it below. Also, one sleeve would have to be changed, unfortunately. But I am going to have one ready fro this.

A few pictures after i just cleaned it superficially with a cloth and WD40. There is still some residue from the gaskets, so if you see discoloration it's not pitting. The surfaces are really flat and shiny.

The top photo shows the difference between my 1982 A4 and the new one, which I understand is 1980. Looking at parts diagrams from 1980 I can't see the part which would come as a cover here. Could anyone point me to what is missing? I will be looking for that part, regardless, so if anyone knows please point me in the right direction.



In this photo a chipped sleeve, unfortunately, because otherwise it's in a perfect shape. I don't think it's usable even with smoothing out the edges.

Is this big round cover that goes there? What's behind it? There is nothing on the 1982 model. If the gears are same, I am thinking maybe I could modify the cover to plug the holes and fit my model.

The early models had another round case and plate cover back there that covered the 'points' (they didn't have points of course, but that's where the ignition pickups were). (At least I think it was the pickups - it's been a long time)



www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motor...gnition-kz1300-a1-a2

Thank you Bucko. I've been searching the net and got to the same point just right now. There is one housing first and then the round cover.
I'm wondering if getting these I could mount this block on my later 1982. It seems like I might just need to cover these hole and all would be fine. Since I don't have the ignition pick up there, and I would use my 1982 A4 shaft, perhaps I could just cover it with a custom make flat cover made simply form aluminum. Or perhaps it has to be a blocked end because one end of the shaft sits there.
My block is still masked for painting. I have to remove a bit of masking and compare. I wonder it I could use the pick up coil housing but without the pick up itself. Just to have it covered.

I just compared the two and I think it will be no problem. I just have to cover it and that's all. One thing I am wondering about it the smaller hole in the middle. It's plugged in 82 but open in 80, to have a shaft go through it. I think having this opening wouldn't disturb the oil moving around crank case. Although it would be nice to plug it anyway.
I'm still digesting it and make final decision and design when I move all the parts around.

Top 80 bottom 82.








Top 80 bottom 82.