KZ1000 - oil pressure reading

[Ace Cafe]

I've searched threads and have found minimal info regarding what kind of oil pressure KZ1000's run. I've got a guage on my 80 LTD and at idle (1000rpm), its running around 1 psi...ramps up in the 3-5psi range at about 3000 rpm. Bike guys i've talked to are surprised its so low...they're thinking it should be reading 20.
Do I have pump issues or is this normal?

[StarGate]

From what I've been able to find out 2-3 psi is pretty normal for our bikes. I was surprised to learn this but have verified from a few pretty good sources.

[MFolks]

Checking my shop manual on my 82 GPZ1100 B2, it said at 3k and 140 F it should be 2.8 psi.

[MFolks]

These engines have pressed together crankshafts with roller bearings requiring much lower oil pressure than the standard friction bearings needing an oil film to function.

[W-P Bill]

Sounds pretty normal to me. Also keep in mind most oil pressure gauge mechanicals are intended for car engines, there isn't enough volume in motorcycle specific gauges for economy of scale to offset higher production costs. These car gauges are intended to operate primarily in the 20-60 psi range and calibrated that way, so they can be wildly inaccurate in the single digit range where most bikes operate.

Yeah, that oil pressure gauge you bought for your bike may be much smaller than a car gauge, but the inner workings are the same, more often than not.

If your low numbers still worry you, go up in oil viscosity. That'll bump things up 2 or 3 psi for you. I run 10W-40 for most of the year but ramp up to 20W-50 for the summer. Just make sure to change back when the summer is over, unless you have a kick starter to stir things up before pressing the magic button.

Except for my gravedigger, she runs 20W-50 for three seasons and straight 50 for the summer. Old tech, don't ya know...

[StarGate]

I've seen someone selling gauges and kits with a VDO gauge for 1-15 psi on ebay. Don't know much about them though.

[Ace Cafe]

thanks for all your responses...big help

yea, i saw the VDO set up selling on ebay...go to summit, vdo guage is 19 bucks, plus about 5 in fittings, much cheaper than the $60 on ebay.

[StarGate]

Did you mean summit racing? I can't find any that register low range psi. 0-80 is the closest I found.

[MFolks]

I've got an older gauge set up on my GPZ1100 B2 that goes from 0-30 psi made by VDO.

[Stormdragon]

Originally Posted by MFolks

These engines have pressed together crankshafts with roller bearings requiring much lower oil pressure than the standard friction bearings needing an oil film to function.

You're off in 2-stroke territory there. While I'm sure it's been done, I can't think of a single Japanese 4 stroke that has a pressed together crankshaft. Okay, the racing only 1960 era Honda RC series had pressed cranks, but meanwhile, back in the real world...

[StarGate]

Originally Posted by Stormdragon

You're off in 2-stroke territory there. While I'm sure it's been done, I can't think of a single Japanese 4 stroke that has a pressed together crankshaft. Okay, the racing only 1960 era Honda RC series had pressed cranks, but meanwhile, back in the real world...

Actually you need to research more. Mine actually slipped and was replaced on factory recall for that and I paid extra on top of what the warranty covered to have the new one welded and rebalanced.

[Jeff.saunders]

Originally Posted by Stormdragon

You're off in 2-stroke territory there. While I'm sure it's been done, I can't think of a single Japanese 4 stroke that has a pressed together crankshaft. Okay, the racing only 1960 era Honda RC series had pressed cranks, but meanwhile, back in the real world...

You need to do some more reading...

All the Kawasaki Z1, KZ900, KZ1000, KZ1100, all the early GS1000's and much more have the pressed together crank with caged roller bearings.

2-3 psi oil pressure is normal

[Ace Cafe]

Originally Posted by StarGate

Did you mean summit racing? I can't find any that register low range psi. 0-80 is the closest I found.

yea, it was from Summit Racing...0-15 psi. May give them a call if you're not seeing it. I think i pulled it up online.