1977 Kawasaki KZ650... Restomoded, Tested and Reviewed!
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- čas přidán 23. 04. 2021
- Hey guys, its been be a 3 month project and its finely done. A 1977 Kawasaki KZ650 barn find with 17,000 miles, it sat for 30 years. I did not do a total ground up restoration. I just replaced everything that need to be replace and kept all the stuff that was in working order. Its a restomod that is period correct, just like someone in the 70's and 80's would have done.
The 77 KZ 650 came with to much chrome, I restored it they way it should have be optioned in 77, to make it look as good it performed. In its day it was one of the quickest and best handling bikes. Its a great riding bike that I would have no problem riding everyday. I hope to have some more reviews as I fine tune and update the KZ!
Ahh. Just finished my KZ 650B. Upgraded to electronic ignition, modern fuse box, etc. Fell in love with KZs a few years ago. My restored KZ100p is in a museum in Indiana.
You did a fantastic job.
Wow, very cool. Thx... it was a fun project.
They're sweet little bikes on the upper end of midsized. I remember when they first came out
My first bike. Mine was silver and came with a Kerker 4 to 1 header. I bought it off of a local farmer for 650.00 in 1991, that thing would get down the road for a 650. Good old days.
What a find... . Nice job!. '77 and still looks modern.
A modern retro, maybe.
G'day YK. Very impressed with the restoration work done. Great to see an old bike brought back to life. Going back to basics, and experiencing the feeling that these machines give you is just great. This is the way bikes used to be when we first started to ride and gave our parents nightmares, and our girlfriends parents a sense of dispair that they had lost thier daughter to a bike riding maniac!! Oh how the memories come back. Great job brother. Ride well, ride safe.
This really brought back memories. I bought my KZ650C new in April 1977. I forgot how good that shade of blue with the red and gold pinstriping looked. I also laughed while you were riding and I noticed that speed wasn't registering on the speedometer. I ran into this within a month of buying my bike. I brought it back to the shop. If I remember correctly, the speedometer cable was ok and the issue was an internal unit that spun the cable had broken and needed to be replaced. They got the replacement part and made the repair. The speedometer worked fine for another few weeks and then stopped registering speed again. I said screw it and just started ballparking speed by feel and gear/rpm status.
The speedo was my fault. I damage the cable on the install. Such a fun bike, lots of memories for me also.
very nice machine - they were ok bikes and when you give them a little love they become great bikes
Had one just like it put different seat header and changed sprocket made quicker loved that bike valves need adjusted every once in while ❤ ❤
After watching this video and the other video last night both blue Kawasaki 650 I'm enjoying that color and I think I'm going to go with that instead of the light blue that I originally had another great job I also like the way you got rid of a lot of chrome and made it black
mine took over 1 year first ever bike project, my first bike ever actually. taught myself how to ride on it. Dream come true., still isn't perfect. rides amazing. I had to do a complete rebuild down to valves removed and bare frame. Had 40-65 psi in each cylinder. Would not even run on starting fluid. 4,500 miles on it. I think it sat outside for about 10 years and maybe had 3 oil changes ever.
We got lucky... it sat in a barn fo 30 years. It had good cranking compression, average 130psi. The only issues were the cables, brakes Lines, brakes and the carbs of course... anything rubber. Engine and trans were solid. The wiring except for the ignition wires were perfect. Even with rhe carbs full of old gummy fuel it started right up when I put a battery in it. I would love to see your finished project.
My brakes lines and fluid were corroded and looked like ricotta cheese, amazingly they functioned quite well. Valve seats were so pitted and the points were shot. Piston rings and cylinder walls were like new. It’s a shame someone didn’t take any care of it for the past 30 years.
I plan to eventually post a video of it running and a collage of the journey from all my photos. I’ll leave a link for you when I get that done.
I love what you did with the kz and I'm sure your brother will love it. I'm currently restoring my 77 & 79 kz650 now. Where did you purchase that fork brace? May I have the information? Great job
Thanks, its a Tarozzi that I got from Z1 Enterprises
Great bike! I used an untitled 78 KZ650C (same color as you and your brother) for parts to restore my 1977 KZ650B, nearly 20 years ago. Also my first! So did you decide to keep it or flip it??
It sure is... My brother still has it, he never sells anything. I don't get to rider anymore, which is a bummer... such a cool and iconic bike.
What front turn signals did you use? It's so hard to find them that will fit in those huge holes. Also, what tires did you install? They look great.
I got the turn signals from Dime City Cycles... www.dimecitycycles.com/amber-single-filament-satin-black-aluminum-mini-rectangle-turn-signals.html. I uses the original hardware from the bike, washes and rubber bushings. The tires are Shinko 712 100/90-19 front and 120/90-18 rear.
I've got a 78 kz650 i'm working on, which bars did you end up going with? I'm having a hard time getting stock controls to fit with aftermarket bars
Biltwell mid tacker bars... no fitment issues. www.biltwellinc.com/collections/7-8-bars
Beautiful bike! 16:25 - Noticeable daylight between the pipe and the frame
Thanks... yeah there is a lot of clearance between the engine and pipes. I wish they made an exact copy of the Kerker exhaust that was made in the 70's... the Kerker fit nice and tight, looked better for sure.
Hey im currently working on a 1978 KZ650 and was wondering if you would be willing to post a parts list for your build?
I don't have a parts list handy, I just recently moved and most of my stuff is in storage. If you have a specific parts in mind I can look them up for you.
@@Yo-Ken I was curious what mirrors, and blinkers you are using. I'm also interested to know what tires you put on the bike.
@@TerrorRIP I listed what I remember... hope this helps.
8mm/10mm Black Rectangle Motorcycle Rear view Side Mirrors compatible with Kawasaki Suzuki Yamaha Cruiser Chopper
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C12J98Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
The Turn signlas are from Z1 Enterprizes... here is a link to there site, but I don't see the one with amber lens anymore.
www.z1enterprises.com/mini-rectangle-turn-signals-smoke-dual-filament.html
Tires from Revzilla...
www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/shinko-712-tires?sku_id=270678
www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/shinko-712-tires?sku_id=270672
New Rear Brake Master Cylinder For KAWASAKI Ninja ZX9R ZX10R ZX12R ZX14R
www.ebay.com/itm/113371440832
KAWASAKI KZ Z1 Dual Disc Master Cylinder KZ1000 KZ900 KZ750 KZ650 5/8" 16mm Blck
www.ebay.com/itm/232136729161
All Balls Steering Head Stem Bearings Seal Kit for Kawasaki KZ650B 1977
www.ebay.com/itm/164318867294
Set of 2 Ignition Coils & Spark Plug Caps - Compatible with Kawasaki KZ650 KZ900 KZ1000 Z1 - Suzuki GS550 GS750 GS850 GS1000
www.amazon.com/dp/B07KCMYGWW/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_E4DVTKVXARPXA5R8V2AB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
surpassme Motorcycle Grips Non Slip Rubber Bar End Thruster Grip 7/8" 22mm 24mm Motorcycle Comfort Hand Handlebar Grip Thruster Grip
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0797XVMFF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
Do you still have the luggage rack? I'd be interested. How would I get in touch with you?
I no longer have the luggage rack.
Carbs are tuned well.! It’s a 650, not a 900 or 1000. I drove them all. I had a 650 too in 1988.
Don’t invest more in the bike. It’s perfect the way it is. Ride like is.!!
I'm thinking you are spot on.
Hey where did you get that header and exhaust?
The brand is delkevic... you can by directly from them.
@@Yo-Ken thank you sir. I've got a 77' 650 in the basement now getting torn apart.
@@hlukeandrews Very cool... I have another video coming up on the kz. It's another walk around and sound from the exhaust.
Hey bro, nice build! Where did you acquire the seat and rear shocks at if you don’t mind me asking.
Thanks man... I got the seat on ebay. They are made in Vietnam, it took about a month to get, buts its good quality. Check out my latest video I talk about the seat. The shocks came off of ebay also, made in China.. quality is ok, but the spring rate is way to stiff... I put the stock shocks back on and painted them black. They ride a lot better.
🤙
What kind of seat is that ?
That was the original seat that came on the KZ... it was an optional touring seat.
you sure its not a 78..maybe it was made in 77..after 6/77..its a 78 also 77 KZ650 came with spoke wheels only 78 had mags
Mike, it is a1977, this is the KZ650 C model. It comes 3 disc brakes and mags. This particular bike had what I call a touring package, but they are Kawasaki accessories, not somethings these bikes came from the factory with. If you bought a 77 KZ650 or 650 b you got a single disc up front, drum brake in the rear and spoke wheels.
It's a '77 KZ650C. I bought one in April that year. I thnk it went for $2250. The C came with the mag wheels, a front disc brake, and was available in silver or blue. I think the base KZ650 cost about $300 less, had wire wheels, a front drum brake, and came in red or green. I bought a blue KZ650C. It was perfect for me; a nice combination of handling, power/quickness, and economy. I loved that bike.
I had a 78 I bought in 77, the silver/blue. It was the same color as the Z1-R 1000 with the quarter fairing. A great bike for it’s time.
@@jerrylee6077 I just bought a 77 KZ 650 C with the triple disc brakes in "Moon Dust Silver" paint scheme/only 9K original miles with 4-1 Kerker header and air pods looks and sounds GREAT! original exhaust was taken off the bike and stored away at only1K miles and there in perfect shape, but I'm missing the short cross-over pipe + 2 clamps that connects the left/right exhaust pipes together underneath the bike....any leads? also the stock airbox is missing....other than that ..she;s a real "creampuff"/looks + sounds just like a smaller Z1 and actually has the SAME 1/4 mile time as a Z1! 12.4 at 108 mph! I've had over 200 bikes over years, and now I'm going back to where it all began