Question about intermittent engine noise.

[ARCHIVE_hotwheelin]

Need Help

I purchased a zl 900 a few weeks ago, something I have wanted for a while. I did not get any manuals with the bike. I have had a bunch of people try and figure this out to no avail. My question is how do you check the oil. I cannot find a sight glass, or a dipstick, and it is driving me nuts. If someone can help please e-mail me at [email protected] or reply here. I would surely appreciate it.

 

[ARCHIVE_ScottyB]

The sight glass is on the left side(as you are sitting on the bike) right above the kickstand,There are 2 lines next to the sight glass,your oil level is suppose to be between these two lines.You might want to clean that area really well,That is a spot where alot of road grime and stuff collects.It just might be really dirty down there and that is why you can't find the sight glass.As far as manuals go I have the supplement manual as well as the GPZ manual(this one is best for the internal engine questions)You can find them on E-Bay fom time to time.But they can get pretty expensive!! I hope this answers your questions.Good luck!!

Scotty B

 

[ARCHIVE_Wuputt]

Kawasaki has new manuals available. Read up in the Forum and there are places you can buy them at a reasonable price. I have the CD and it is great for looking stuff up.
As far as checking the oil, I am not sure if one person can do it, I always have someone hold the bike up while I am on my knees to check it.

 

[ARCHIVE_Bbond2000]

Checkin' the OIl.

Wuputt is right.

It is nearly impossible to check the oil by yourself.
Unless you have a sky hook to suspend it from, or a tree with a rope hanging from.
I actually had to throw myself underneath my 900 to keep the pipes from scratching on the pavement while crouched under it while trying to check the oil.
Thank god I hadn't started it or "burn!"
I still needed to have a friend pull it off of me.

 

[ARCHIVE_Jarney]

oil checker

Hey guys,
I've heard this little trick many times before. Go to your local hardware store or tool store or maybe even Wal Mart and buy one of those telescoping mirrors - I've seen them many places and it probably won't cost you more than a $20 bill. Sit on the bike, extend the mirror and check your oil level that way. Try looking for one of the handhelds that are in the pictures on this page -

http://images.google.com/images?q=Telescoping+mirror&ie=UTF-8&hl=en

Hope that helps. Later.

 

[ARCHIVE_TheELIMINUTTER]

Hey Guys, You can make a Couple of Simple Braces to Put Under the Pegs, To Check the Oil Level, Made mine from some 2x4s, Cheap and it Works, Later Rocky

 

[zrexxx]

On my 1985, Zl900 I get a sort of rattling noice every once in awhile.I think it may be the cam adjuster. I was told this is common with the zl motor but it does not seem right to me. Would an adjustment be in order or possibly the adjuster itself needs to be replaced? The bike has 7,500 original miles. 34mm carbs and cobra pipes. The cobra slip ons are on each side of the bike that they no longer make.

 

[Southernstyle]

Could be, the mileage seems a bit low to me though. The tensioners on these bikes from the factory weren't the greatest. The fix is upgrading to the 2000 Connie tensioner. After twenty two years, you could have a broken tensioner spring. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to offer more advice.
Later,
SS

 

[Southernstyle]

Oh yeah, almost forgot, Welcome Aboard!!!
Later,
SS

 

[zl900_moab]

Welcome zrexxx.....Glad to have you on board.
moab...

 

[zrexxx]

Engine noise

Does anyone have a part number for the connie tensioner. I asume that is a concourse part and from what engine?

 

[rammy1500]

Mine rattles as well, and I think the biggest cause was the carbs being out of sync. Never figured out the relationship there but most of it went away after re-syncing the carbs.

 

[Kris900zl]

If the spring is busted in you tensioner trust me you would know. It bangs and knocks like a mother :nonono: .It went in mine and i got another off a fellow who had replaced it on his ZL. The funny thing was same bike same year but different tensioners. I have a lil noise in mine but it is in the clutch at idol haul the clutch in she is fine but it nuttin serious.

Kris 900zl

 

[zrexxx]

Engine noise,intermittent

I hope thats all it is, if the the chain needs adjustment would you get the noise all the time. I have the shop manual that explains how to adjust the tensioner but I do not want to overtighten the chain. Also, I would have to look at it again because I don't remember if it tells you when you should be adjusting the tensioner.

 

[Kawasaki-krazy]

Mine rattles as well, and I think the biggest cause was the carbs being out of sync. Never figured out the relationship there but most of it went away after re-syncing the carbs.

Because when the carbs are out of tune, the engine staggers and falters a bit making the cam chain snatch instead of running round the cogs smoothly.

KK

 

[Southernstyle]

Had the same type noise with mine after it warmed up. Thought it was the chain getting longer with the heat, but turns out one cylinder had low compression.
Later,
SS

 

[Southernstyle]

Re: Engine noise

Does anyone have a part number for the connie tensioner. I asume that is a concourse part and from what engine?

Check out this thread:
http://www.zl-oa.extremeoutlawracing.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=278

Later,
SS

 

[Southernstyle]

Now that I think of it, you mentioned cobra pipes. Were the carbs rejetted by chance when they were installed. You may not have to with those, but it would be worth the research to find out. Also, check the carbs to see if they are synced correctly. You may want to throw a set of plugs in it for shits and giggles. If you do, check the compression while your at it. May want to check the valve clearance also(that's why I had low compression on one cylinder and the same noise). Acording to the manual, the valves need adjustment quite often (and yes they will shrink and lose clearance, mine did.) Good luck, and keep us posted.
Later,
SS

 

[zrexxx]

Engine noise .intermittent

The carbs are 34's not 32's and the bike does run rich.Fuel consumption is higher than it should be. I only get around 28 mpg max.I believe it should be better than that. I am planning on getting the carbs rejetted and synced soon,as soon as I get the cash together and I find the right mechanic to do it here around the Greater Cleveland area. Its tough to find someone who is really interested in doing a proper job. I would be interested in knowing what fuel milage other zl 900 owners get. My motor is stock except for the cobra pipes and 34 mm carbs. Before I start messing with cam adjustments I'll get the carbs done and synced. I wonder if it would be worth it to have the exaust gas analysied? // I have a set of Dyna coils for the bike. I have talked to some mechanics who said don't bother putting them on that the stock coils are fine. But, I believe a higher voltage spark would have to improve starts and performance. I just have to come up with a practical mounting bracket for them, and provide enough clearence for the zl 1000 tank. Any more comments would be appreciated,thanks for the help. I will be sending pics of this bike. It is special. The engine has been polished out and the bike has a tracy street fighter bikini faring that looks really good. The fairings are no longer made and I have not seen another one like it.

 

[rammy1500]

I know the feeling about finding a good mechanic, I had a dealership here in Columbus talk me into cleaning my carbs and they gave me the bike back running almost as bad as when I took it in. Best bet is to be nice to the guys here and get their advice on how to do most of the work yourself. When you own a 20 yo bike doesn't hurt to learn how to do some wrenching yourself.

28 mpg is probably a little on the low side but probably not with the bigger carbs and if someone has tweeked the motor. I had an '86 900 and best I probably got with that was about 38 or so mpg doing 55 on the freeway for almost the whole tank. The '85 I have now jumps all over the place depending if I'm just going around the block or across town.