Sun's out, off for MOT test, then bang!!

[MartinB]

With the sun shining it was time to get out the Z1000, take for an MOT and try to find the time to use it a bit more this year........

Well that was the plan but a couple of miles up the road, opened the throttle and there was a bit of a strange noise, followed by a 'crack' noise. Stopped and horrified to see oil dripping out from under the drive sprocket cover. Then noticed the plastic chain rubbing strip on top of the swing arm missing.
On getting home and removing the cover, this is the damage...



Managed to find the offending plastic strip in the road on the way back. Looks like it's been dragged into the front sprocket, lifting the chain and forcing it against the flange around the sprocket and cracking the entire cover.
What I'd like to know is, if I removed the front sprocket and then unscrew what's left of the cracked cover, is it a straight forward replacement, and refit with new seals? If so, are the covers all the same for Z1000 & 900 and does anyone have one? My bike is a '78 Z1000 by the way.
Hopefully be able to get that MOT done soon!!

[paul doran]

Martin cover is any easy change
cover should be readily available

[garyd]

That happened to many a bike in the old days. As Paul said easy change.
I think they are all the same up to Z1000 A. Wouldn'd be surprised if the MKII also fitted.

[tlc]

Unlucky yet lucky.
Unlucky it will cost you £40-£50 to sort
Lucky it didn't spit you off.

[z1000puddin]

Very lucky it didn't damage the crank case.

[mick znone]

how does that happen then?

[garyd]

how does that happen then?

Something just gets picked up by the chain and forced into a space that's too small for the chain and the offending object.

The 'flange' that covers the sprocket isn't the strongest peice of ally...and it breaks off.

Either it all gets spat out or gets wedged in and locks the sprocket drive shaft...which then may crack the cases.


It's not just a Zed thing...any bike with this design is vunerable.

[mick znone]

thanks Gary, nasty so thats why off road bikes have plastic sprocket covers i guess.

[floydsz1]

I know how lucky you were not to get spat off. Many years ago (early 80's) I was going camping in the lake district. I'd a mate on the back holding his sleeping bag on top of the throw over panniers I was using. Suddenly at about 80 mph everything locked up. I pulled the clutch in but it was still locked up. I remember thinking don't fall off, I'd just had my z9 custom painted. Managed to stop on but came to a stop in the middle of the of the road. We had to drag the bike into a lay-by opposite. My mates sleeping bag had fallen between the rear wheel and the swingarm. It wore a brand new tt100 tyre through to the canvas. I've some photo's of it somewhere

[MartinB]

Thanks for the replies and looks to be straightforward. Fortunately not travelling that fast when it happened, or could have been a lot worse. I think it may take longer cleaning the oil off, that's plastered all over the back of the bike. Hopefully the sun will still be out by the time I get it fixed!

[ADE]

Had a chain snap years ago same damage scared the crap out of me.Lucky i was slowing down to a roundabout.Nice zed by the way hope you get it sorted soon.
Ade

[Z1parR]

Can anyone confirm that this ally cover is the same across the range ?
If they are then i've got one here that you can have Martin .

[tlc]

They are different between the A and J model motors.

14024-007 is the one you will need.

[jphaynes669]

Hope to see the bike out and about this year martin.

[slappa13]

Mk11 engine has a different cover so you can use up to z1000 a2