hints/tips for head gasket change

[leezzr600]

Hi everyone

I'm in the middle of getting my hands on a non runner '91 L1 zxr400 as my ladies first "big" bike , it needs a head gasket change, and some TLC and as it looks a bit shabby . I'm fairly happy with doing the job and have got my hands on the manual/service guide. I'd like to know from anyone out there who has done a HG change of anything to look out for or things that make life easier when doing it, it looks fairly straight forward to me at the minute, also with the lump apart is there anything else worth changing and/or looking at (the bike has done 33,000 miles)

and , if I need to lower the bike a bit to accommodate the missus's petite frame ,whats the best way of doing this?

Any info would be great

Lee

[masterofinsanity]

Hi Lee

might be worth checking the cam chain and valve clearances, as for the ride height try taking some foam out of the seat, been done b4.

[zimm]

add a bracket between the top mounts of the frame and subframe to pivot the whole thing down a bit .. or re-drill the lower mounts .. same effect ..

how short is she though? my mrs is 5'3" and can ride both H and L models as well as her zx4 absolutely fine.

[leezzr600]

mine missus just scrapes over 5" bless her!! she has sat on one before, and i think she was ok, but i can't remember what model it was? are they different?

so cam chain , and valve clearances should do it , thanks for the info guys

[zimm]

H models are a bit higher with a longer stretch to the bars, there's not much in it tbh.

[diesel]

i kow it sounds weird but its easy enough to drop the engine and do it on a bench. ive done the HG , many times lol, in-situ, but this time i did the base gasket as well. piece of piss. just take your time, be methodical and get a GOOD torque wrench.

[leezzr600]

would recommend doing the base gasket at the same time as well then?

[zimm]

ive always done the base gasket at the same time as the headgasket

[leezzr600]

i'm sure one more gasket change can't hurt!

[leezzr600]

are the stretch bolts a one use only thing, or are they ok provided they haven't stretched past a certain length???

[diesel]

ive always done the base gasket at the same time as the headgasket

yea it just makes sense while you are that far dismantled. rules out any base gasket probs too.

[zimm]

i've reused the bolts countless times.. they'll be fine.. i dont think they are "stretch" bolts per se anyway .. the torque for them is actually REALLY low

diesel : yeh ... plus i always bin it and use sealant.. tightens squish quite safely by .2mm

[diesel]

i've reused the bolts countless times.. they'll be fine.. i dont think they are "stretch" bolts per se anyway .. the torque for them is actually REALLY low

diesel : yeh ... plus i always bin it and use sealant.. tightens squish quite safely by .2mm

higher comp, more hp?

[leezzr600]

i think these little beasts are quick enough aren't they?

[zimm]

i think these little beasts are quick enough aren't they?

NEEED .. MORE ... POWER ....

diesel : yeh, its not a lot but it helps.. its all ive done with mine really apart from pipe/jets and air filter** and it was making 66bhp @ the wheel which isnt loads, but stock would be anywhere from 55 to 60. add in a properly skimmed head, needles, matched inlets and stuff and 70's meant to be quite easy to get

**the ignition mods i made are actually costing me about 2 bhp at the top but its worth it for the throttle response.