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► Modify message ( Re: Alternator rotor removal / crankshaft balancer LHS )

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Reason for editing: Last Edit: March 17, 2018, 19:46:52 PM by Ogri

All done! And apparently fixed. The noise I was trying to fix occurred when the engine was warm and under load: like pulling away from a stop or accelerating. 
It seemed to be coming from under the LH engine cover where the generator is. Internet searches suggested the rubber dampers in the crankshaft balancer assembly were at fault.

Having got in there I was dismayed to see the old ones looked exactly like the new ones; no apparent wear or damage. There are two sorts; four that look like sealed skateboard wheel bearings and two that look like cogs. The latter two seemed slightly softer than their replacements.

I had a minor (okay, major) scare when the crankshaft balancer shaft moved out of sync with the crankshaft but luckily Kawasaki has put marks on the shaft, the balancer itself and the generator rotor.

What took longest was removing the old gasket from the generator cover - nightmare.

Tentatively started her up and it was obvious that I'd got the balancer correctly aligned - when it's off the bike shakes like an out of whack spin dryer. 
I got the engine good and warm and listened for the noise...quiet. I took the bike for a long ride around the neighbourhood.....no noise.

All in all, I'm extremely happy. Total cost was about £75 - $104 for the rubbers, the gasket and the "rotor removal tool" .

I drew this a while back in anticipation of a good result:

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Posted by Ogri

- March 05, 2018, 04:34:39 AM

Thanks mate - it seems like no-one else has judging by the silence across the internet.

Anyway, for future reference: crankshaft balancer bolt is regular right hand thread. I'm taking a break and scouring the web for info on the rotor nut. Neither Haynes nor the Kawa manual state that it's LH thread so I'm gonna assume it's normal. Stay tuned.

EDIT: Rotor bolt is regular right hand thread too. Rotor can be removed with a M18 X 1.5 X 60mm bolt rather than the OEM rotor removal tool.

Posted by CDNRatMan

- March 04, 2018, 19:05:45 PM

I would really like to help you but I have never delved this deep into the motor.

Posted by Ogri

- March 04, 2018, 14:53:53 PM

Is it the alternator rotor bolt that has a left hand thread or the crankshaft balancer assembly that has it? My Haynes manual is a bit vague on the subject and the Kawasaki manual doesn't mention it at all.
I'm planning on replacing the balancer's rubbers tomorrow.

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