What could it be?

[85RZwade]

I noticed on my way to work this morning that my faithful and long-suffering RZ is rapidly approaching 40,000 miles. As I down-shifted to 3rd and 2nd for the driveway at work, something felt a bit different, and when I pulled the clutch all the way in for 1st, it went wide open! I blipped the throttle: nothing, still screaming. I turned off the key and I had myself a diesel. A little front brake and eased out the clutch and killed it. Rolled to a stop in my parking spot and it kicked through fine, but I didn't try to start it and Laura's going to give us a lift home after work. I assume that the left crank seal has expired; I just hope the bearing behind it isn't the real culprit. I mean, I just put that crank in 25 years and MAYBE 20,000 miles ago... 

[dgorms]

Hmmmm, I know a guy with a spare(fresh) bullet for an RZ?

[85RZwade]

It's a two hour swap, going easy

[SoCal250]

If the throttle cable still functions correctly...

I'm guessing:
1) Sucked left crank seal
2) Cracked/leaking intake manifold
3) Sucked/leaking base gasket

If the revs were high and hanging it has to be an air leak (assuming the throttle cable was working correctly and the slides were returning home).

[m in sc]

it's time for a 421. thats what it is     .

[Kawtriplefreak]

I concur. As soon as I recover from this build. The Gray Ghost 421 build begins...

[rodneya]

Do a leakdown test before ripping anything apart

[SoCal250]

Do a leakdown test before ripping anything apart

I was just coming here to add this.

Then go with Mark's suggestion! 

[85RZwade]

Do a leakdown test before ripping anything apart

I was just coming here to add this.

Then go with Mark's suggestion!

Both good advice, but in my defense, I didn't read the forum this morning before deploying the flywheel puller. I almost needed a puller to get the Raask rearset part off of the shift shaft! This is why I call it my "long-suffering" RZ...


Countershaft and neural switch look OK, but the shift shaft seal is suspect. Mostly chain lube, though.



Looks like a smoking gun to me. I haven't put a dial indicator on the crank yet, but my calibrated arm can't feel any movement in the bearing.
Nonetheless, the Katana is almost ready for use, and I'm thinking it might be time to pull the RZ off the road for awhile and do the suspension swap I've gathered parts for, and some much-deferred maintenance. A 421 would probably be tons of fun, but $$

[m in sc]

well. there it is 

[85RZwade]

well. there it is 

No More Tears-Ozzy

[85RZwade]

I have the mixed blessing of a Yamaha-Honda-Suzuki-Indian-and whatever else dealership a couple doors from my work; I drive/ride past it twice a day. They had the crank seal in stock (thanks, Banshee) and I figured I'd come home and pop the old one out. Slide the new seal in, stator and flywheel and go for an evening rip. Most of you already know where this is going...



This just turned into a whole thing.

[Kawtriplefreak]

Yep
You have to split the cases...

[Striker1423]

In the old snowmobile days people would razor knife the lip of the seal off and beat the new one in with case sealant on the outside.

It is a temp fix though, was usually meant to get you back riding for the weekend.

[85RZwade]

I admit that I considered it, because I want to ride. But the Kat is almost there and I can ride it, poppet valves and all. I will pull the engine, split the cases and do what must be done.