just got this, i have a 10? 12? year history with this bike and 3 owners in.. here we go.
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/37239765_2128810957147286_6051021991308165120_o.jpg)
this is what clr left in a tank does in 4 years:
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/37281020_2128811003813948_3860013741730955264_o.jpg)
now:
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/77kz_2023-4.jpg)
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/77kz_2023-7.jpg)
everything by PO was stripped, blasted, powdercoated, etc ad re-assembled. I was very involved in a lot of the work. spokes replaced by kz1000 mags as well.
That tank is hilarious. I love the KZ mags. Just wish they weren't so dang heavy.
That's incredible what that stuff (clr) can do. Awesome progress. I have a left caliper and Russell brake hose on it that could use a new home if you need one fresh seal kit in it from K&L supply. I swapped to dual disc I had from a Z1-R
thanks. im actually going to adapt (or try) some ex/ninja calipers, on the way. (very common swap on triples) But i'll let you know.
:clap:
I need to rebuild front forks any input on the emulators
I didn't use them in this so not sure
and got it re-fired up last night. Nothings dialed in or set, all just eyeballed with the coils and dyna running off an old grom battery. this is the second run, the 1st was a wicked leaky #2 headpipe, had to pull th epipe (just#2) and reseat it in the head. was pretty easy but there was a slight nudge with a floor jack.
sweet sounds, I enjoy so much working on and riding these bikes. Really sounds good, I understand the carb spacing is the same as kz1ooo, I have a set of carbs with accelerator pump 28 I think. double check spacing and maybe rebuild and try them out.
What an amazing transformation on that bike. It sounds wonderful. Great job.
thanks. wiring is a train wreck but I'm working thru it. looks like the regulator/rectifier is dead so got one ordered, alternator is putting out plenty of ac though. at least theres that. I also have to re-pin and put connectors on wiring harness to use the new controls , the PO (2 back) cut the fucking harness there. also the battery terminal and starter solenoid stuff was all gone (wire wise) . lastly, powder coated frame requires for my peace of mind, an auxiliary ground directly to the motor as well as frame and harness, made all that from scratch, so , at least I'm getting somewhere. its running well enough i could time it and synch the carbs, which i'll probably do tomorrow as i recover from my turkey coma. :whistle: :smiley: :shocked: :dance:
nothing wrong with showing all your hard work and that was a lot of work.
good job.
this weekend...
almost got it sorted believe it or not. man, some people should just leave the voltage tubes alone.
small update, wiring was time consuming but i seem to have gotten it all sorted and run.
quick video of it idling and charging, and the new K&N filters, the old cheap pods were necked down at the flange and i suspect would hurt the flow to the air-jets in the carbs. So, i spent too much money on some k&ns and i like it.
(no airbox was on it).
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/kz650-11-27-23_filters-charging_2-rotated-e1701274972168.jpg)
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/kz650-11-27-23_filters-charging_1-rotated.jpg)
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/kz650-11-27-23_filters-charging_3.jpg)
Sweet :patriot: :patriot:
What kinda of gauges or gauge are you gonna use? Aka tach,speedo.
stock gauges. they are sort of faded but work well. if they get weird, i'll get some of the reproduction z900 ones. I hate 'too' modern of a gauge on an old bike, looks out of place if the rest of the bike is cosmetically vintage.
Mark, I have a set that I do not need. If you are interested I can send some pics. Cheap. Basically postage
Hey,
Mine are working but a bit faded. got any pics?
I will snap a few, mine are faded some also, sorry.
yeah looking at mine... not really bad at all. also a few update pics.
:patriot:
nice looking progress, is that the stock front caliper? here are some pics of my set of gauges, I have the idiot light cover also. I think what you have looks better than what I have. They do function.
thanks. yeah they are pretty similar so I'll stay w what I have for now, thanks for the offer. if the speedo has an issue I may hit you up after I test ride it. the front caliper is an ex500 dual piston one, I have the rh one as well with a second rotor, need to finish that up. I'll take pics of how I need to mod the hanger to get it to work on the other side.
yeah. I would like to see that..
like a dipshit, I ordered the wrong rotor. I need a kz1000 one, and the fucking bolt pattern on the one i bought is different than the wheel. 650 disc/1000 wheel. I had no idea. :umm: :taz: :bang:
early kz1000 and kz650 share the same 4 bolt pattern. what happened ? sorry I hate when that happens. I swapped z1r rotors to my 77kz650.
fuck i don't know. wheel swap, discs from? all i know is it has the smaller 4 bolt pattern and its roughly 10'5" in diameter. Ive got a few qs out to ebay sellers for measurements. if i get nothing, i do have a disc i can use from another application but need to machine a center hat from scratch. which i can, and then i'll use that on the back and put the back disc on the ft. (current disc on back matches front actually) :huh:
mag is from 77 kz1000 z1-r. Hope this helps. I also have the stock rotor if that would help.
ran across this info also.http://www.ksrc-au.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=17834
if the rotor is 10.5 inches across, thats probably the right one. I have one last hail mary pair coming if they dont work im going to hit you up, or kick this thing over (not really). you have a pic of the rotor?
here ya go one brake rotor pic. I can measure the inner diameter later today if needed.
In the last push for wrapping up all the wiring, i made the plate mount and all this bracketry 2 nights ago, roughly, then finished it off yesterday. Most of it is aluminum i had laying around. I need to paint the lower brace still and do a few finishing things like a button head bolt here, stainless bolt there, etc. But, since this was inherited with a cut and looped frame it made it a bit more difficult than it should have been? but was def fun.
the tailight, incidentally, is the original stock '14 Grom tail light off my bike. (i have oen with integrated turn signals on that now, have for years). Turn signals are k&S all aluminum units. (same on ft)
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/tail-light-plate-mount/kz-taili-light_03-1-rotated-e1701890964795.jpg)
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/tail-light-plate-mount/kz-taili-light_01-rotated-e1701891749262.jpg)
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/tail-light-plate-mount/kz-taili-light_07-2-rotated-e1701890720849.jpg)
the 2 stacked M8 nuts are where the tail piece grommets and bushings will go. I plan on making a 1 pc spacer/grommet for this on the lathe
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/tail-light-plate-mount/kz-taili-light_09-1-rotated-e1701890423242.jpg)
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/tail-light-plate-mount/kz-taili-light_10-1-rotated-e1701891902530.jpg)
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/tail-light-plate-mount/kz-taili-light_11-1-rotated-e1701890500720.jpg)
I spent wayyy too much time on this. lol.
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/tail-light-plate-mount/kz-taili-light_16-rotated-e1701890816241.jpg)
RH caliper mount. welds aren't pretty but they are strong.
nuts tacked on steel plate:
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/caliper-mount/kz-caliper-mount-rh_04.jpg)
bracket placed in relation to pad to rotor
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/caliper-mount/kz-caliper-mount-rh_06.jpg)
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/caliper-mount/kz-caliper-mount-rh_08-1.jpg)
tacked on then one bead welded:
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/caliper-mount/kz-caliper-mount-rh_09.jpg)
ugly welded.
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/caliper-mount/kz-caliper-mount-rh_14.jpg)
threads chased:
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/caliper-mount/kz-caliper-mount-rh_13.jpg)
mounted
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/caliper-mount/kz-caliper-mount-rh_18.jpg)
Wow just saw the thread. That tank! Holy crap. Looks phenomenal now sir!
I almost bought a 78 kz750 in red before the GT came into the picture.
its an inherited project, I've been involved w it over the past 2 owners. long story that goes back literally a decade.
I was looking for a 75 CB750F, loosely. specifically a 75F, no k, no later ones, that year that model. I sort of gave up. Ths KZ was actually given to me probably 4? 5? years ago by Rob and i had helped him get it running back 10 yrs ago or so. then it got parked when he closed his business and it sat, behind his dads house, with a tank full of 'clr' and that chain. I didn't know that at the time... but i didn't want it, so gave it to David with robs blessing. that tank pic was when we went to go pick it up. :whistle: :shocked: So, when david got it,. we were going hot and heavy working on it until about a year and a half ago, then for reasons that aren't important to mention here, he just lost interest. So, since I've never actually owned a KZ, i bought it from David because there was parts he had bought and spent money on, soi i owned him at least that. (he did offer to just give it to me). Of course, a week after i agreed to get it, not one but TWO 75 F hondas show up reasonable near me. :whatever: but, i passed and stuck w the kz.
and here we are.
:nathan:
The kz650 sounds sweet with the Delkivic pipe , especially when the revs start to climb. I like it. Looks great
I think i finally got the front brakes sorted. it was a ridiculous amount of, mostly, self inflicted bullshit, and a few outside hangups. The rear brake is now going to have to change since i went ahead and used the 'rear' caliper i had on the front because they match. Its a boring saga i wont go into but that hopefully will be wrapped up soon. I am going to look through my stash for a better rear caliper option than what i currently have. (which now has the pad hanging over the contact area on the rear rotor. ) :huh: :harley: :bang:
Whatcha gonna do with this Kaw when you're done?
ride it? I don't build to flip.
If i hate it i'll sell it but thats def not a motivation.
:thumbs:
my goal is to bring it to deals gap this year as my 4-stoke ( i usually bring 1 to the meet).
1st testride. . I think last it was ridden in the early 2000s? guessing here. did ok, really good actually. better than expected. need to sort some small things and paint it but otherwise :thumbs:
Good deal. Great seeing it at the stage where it is about to start a new life. That delkivic has a great sound. :vroom:
I love those filters! Congrats on the first shakedown ride :thumbs: :toot:
:toot: :vroom:
:righteous: :righteous:
Sweet! Congrats on the first outing. :clap:
followed the recommendation on the Ed Roth spray bomb stuff, went w 2 color coats, 2 flake coats and a light then wet coat of the spray max 2k. used the warehouse at work since we are closed till the 2nd,,layed down pretty well. lots of flake!
:clap: I like it! That's bright (and sparkly).
Color choice excellent , looks great. :righteous: :whoop:
got the bodywork on, pretty happy w it. of course the #2 carb started doing some dumb shit but otherwise, pretty happy w the look.
:patriot: :patriot:
Stunning paint work on that bike. Looks beautiful. :thumbs:
Yup, I like that
thanks. it looks shinier in person, weird camera effects. the rear shocks are just some crappy RFYs i had laying around, was going to swap them out with some progressive's i have but they actually are working surprisingly well on this bike. Chaingaurd will be on next.
Quite a transformation. That's a really nice looking bike! :thumbs: Nice work Mark
This was in my Common Tread feed this week:
https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/retrospective-review-kawasaki-kz650
did about 75 miles on it yesterday, did well. seems ok but man it's cold blooded after it has sat.
Inspirational! :notworthy:
I recently picked up this sleeping beauty (1979 KZ650B) and now trying to decide what to do with it. It had been sitting outside for a few years but I got it running again. Motor sounds sweet and good consistent compression on all 4. Frame has been de-tabbed and modified for the (terrible) cafe racer it was turned into. Wiring looks like a complete (and very rudimentary) re-do. Would be a stretch (financially) to get it back to anywhere near stock so trying to decide what to do with it. This is one of three projects I have on the go so I would let it go as-is to a new home if anyone interested (MinSC: fancy doing another one?). All ideas/suggestions welcome!
lol! parts were cheap, I had to source the seat when david had mine, an (obviously) the tank. neither were expensive. the frame was cut on the back, so it was looped back and to the naked eye, it all looks stock. z1 enterprises sells sidecovers, & z1parts.net
so far im really liking mine, I think i have to pull the oil pan and reseal it due to chasing an oil leak that annoys me.
If i wasn't full already, id probably take you up on it. stick with it, it'll come together. :clint:
Street tracker?
if you're asking me, im one of the people (rare) that hate 'street trackers'. To me its like painting up a GTI in gulf colors and adding rally lights. then commuting in it. Just, no. But that's just MY preference.
Unless its on a legit tracker frame, like a champion, etc, im not a fan of them..
I was putting it out there for Blue 32, but I think you're right. Thanks for the mental image of the GTI!
Does your carb puke fuel out the overflow like mine whenever it sets , like just overnight? I will be pulling mine next time I go out in the shop. Been to cold for me lately. 16 degrees last night.
no. 2 things:
i added a manual cutoff on my petcock, i hate vacuum ones. (for that very reason, i dont trust them , and i rebuilt it) also, did you set the fuel level by the tube method? if not, do that, they are sensitive carbs on float level. like weirdly so for some reason.
I added a pingel valve to eliminate the vacuum configuration. No I did not use the tube method, I have used this method on my Z1-R , however I cannot find it now. I guess I will have to be creative and fab another one.
m6x.75 thread, i used a cable end, cut off, with an o-ring up against an adjuster nut. i set mine dead even w the ;bump in' nine on the carb bowl itself, so 3-5mm below the carb body line. it was changing idle sidestand vs centerstand so i knew the fuel level had to be wrong
THIS IS SUPER LONG, BUT I shared it at a relevant point. (around minute 30 or so)
https://youtu.be/3QNG4IrcCcA?feature=shared&t=1851
Thanks for sharing the video, I have seen that before once upon a time . And forgot about it. You are correct about them being sensitive to the adjustment
i can say ive never had a bike quite this sensitive to it, its weird.
if I turn on fuel valve on for about 3-4 seconds then shut off, start engine then switch fuel on no flooding on number one carb, however if I switch on fuel and forget to switch off in a few seconds, it will flood. another thorough double check is in order.
I just cured a very picky issue regarding floats on mine. #2 was dropping out, at idle, sort of, only on the sidestand.
i had to set the float level, on the side stand, on the bike, w the level meter/tube doohicky. i have M4 stainless allens in the bowls and can remove them with a long 90 degree driver.
what i was noticing was that on the side-stand only, hot or cold, idling, it was dropping temp on the #2 cyl steady the longer it idled, and the rpm would drop 2-300 rpm. anything over 2k was fine. riding was fine. centerstand is fine. But, it was also hard to start cold. it was seeping just into the venturi i think but just not enough to come out the drain tube.
been riding the KZ fairly regularly, sorting it out for regular summer use, all good so far. However the gauges have been getting jumpy. allt he cables are new so that def isn't it. so bit the bullet and ordered a set of reproduction ones (for a 900 but are the same)
feedback says there's -maybe- some issue w the cup retainer bracket on the back, prob needs to be aligned but minor stuff i'm sure.
anyway, for under 200 bucks shipped, i'll take it. That is one great thing about this bike: a LOT of parts swap over from the 1000 & 900s and they reproduce like everything for those.
to that point, i also purchased & installed a set of Z1 locks, which included ign, seat and such, now all 3 locks match and are new. (and they key cant be pulled out when it s'on'. ) all direct bolt on & plug & play.
old gauges vs ones coming (ebay) & lock set (from https://z1parts.net/ignition-switch-kz900-with-steering-seat-lock-set/ )
Sweet
you have the word 'sweet' on your clipboard, don't you Timmy? :dawg: lol. j/k, thanks
Nope
Just like you have 'salty' on yours, Mark. :cool:
don't be obtuse. Stay acute.
:huh:
Sweet :metal: :metal: :metal:
... :dawg:
well played Timmy. :clap:
:lol: :thumbs:
got the reproduction Z1 gauges, have to say, really impressed w them especially for the money.
had to take the die grinder to the bracket to make a bit more room and splice in the light wiring, but not bad at all.
Wasn't aware the starter clutch was dying when i got this going... but it had gotten bad enough i needed to address it. That inboard design sucks, bad. had to drop oil pan, pull clutch cover & clutch, LH chain cover, drive out intermediate shaft, and pull oil pump.
LUCKILY i didn't have to drop the exhaust. mind you, i didn't rebuild his motor so had no idea what i was going to find in there. this was the oil pan, not a whole lot of debris thankfully.
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/starter-clutch/kz-starter-clutch_1-rotated.jpg)
this is where the starter clutch is.
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/starter-clutch/kz-starter-clutch_5-rotated.jpg)
you have to hold all that up and in line to get the shaft back in. you also have to slip the clutch housing w rollers onto the hub with it up there, has to go in and come out disassembled, after you pull the oil pump out.
the culprit: the old springs were about 10mm under correct length due to wear/age. thats it.
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/starter-clutch/kz-starter-clutch_4-rotated.jpg)
he parts were dirt cheap, same kit used on multiple makes and brands. Now, its all good and starts like new. reading about this repair, apparently its common for people to lay the bike over on its side and do this. I didn't see the need. the total repair took about 3 hours start to finish, and about 40 mins of that was cleaning up stuff like the oil pan, inside clutch housing, and unloading about 3 cans of brake cleaner int he open motor to remove build up. also a good time to clean off the sightglass from the inside. (dull pic and a handy wipe).
(https://2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/77-kz650/starter-clutch/kz-starter-clutch_7-rotated-e1713799859315.jpg)
Your right leg is gonna thank you for taking the time to do this. :metal:
especially with my right knee going from 52 to 85 yrs old in 48 hrs. :eek:
Excellent
of course trying to track down an oil leak, the n switch sheared right off checking it gently, i might add...(doh!) which turned out to be the new out shaft seal being a piece of shit.
seal replaced but waiting on on n switch on way
:busey: it's four-stroke related
I mean.. yeah. :huh: :ohdear:
Mark, I am writing an article for the UK branch of the VJMC on starter clutch replacement. Can I use some of your photos of the KZ above please?
ABSOLUTELY. man, i wish i took more then. I'll look see if i have any more... but i think that was it.
Thanks a bunch - I didn't take many of the one I did either due to oily hands. I am doing an article to show that it's not an impossible job for the home mechanic.
yeah, its fine. I got lucky and the delkevic exhaust -just- allowed me to get the oil pan off w out pulling it.
my battery impact made quick work of the job comparatively, as did the air ratchet to remove the oil pan bolts, but the one thing i didn't have was a 30mm socket (of all things) for the clutch nut, so had to borrow one.. then bought one the next day.. because, that just wouldn't do not having one. But this job could have easily been done w basic hand tools on the centerstand. the power tools just made it more convenient.