I was reading the info on the Z400/KFX400, and I see that the engine is overhead cammed. I can understand setting the valves on a Raptor stlye motor (pushrod style with a rocker arm...I believe?)....but why on an overhead cammed motor like the 400s....is it necessary or is this something stuck in there so dealers can pocket some cash in labor?

 

Don't worry about them unless you're experiencing a lot of noise or overheating. Shim under bucket style valves rarely go out of whack.

But, checking them is fairly simple. All you need is an inexpensive set of feeler guages (metric) to check. Remove the valve cover (be careful with the gasket.. it's rubber and reusable), set at TDC and check. Not much more than a 30 minute job. If you have to adjust, then theres another 30 minutes or hour or so.

Then put a little ultra black rtv on the cam chain cover portion of the gasket, put it back together. And don't do it without a shop manual. It will tell you all the steps, and for $6 on ebay, it will pay for itself easy.

I just installed my hotcams and I've had er open twice now. I think it takes longer to take the plastic and tank off than to check the valves themselves. What takes time is if you use RTV on the gasket (only on the part that is "roundish" and covers the cam sprockets) then it's best to wait 24 hours to let that cure.

 

how do you like the hotcams, big power increase?
what other mods do you have?

 

So far they're ok. I test rode on a very hot and humid day, and only felt a small power increase from when I rode it last without them and it was cool and dry. So not realliy a fair test for them. Could feel a small gain in mid/top end power.

I added the dyna ignition at the same time. Just getting rid of the rev limiter was worth that.