'78 kz650 any good?

1 · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:16 pm Post subject: '78 kz650 any good?

OK, so a guy has a '78 kz650 for sale.
it's pretty trashed except for the motor. I have'nt done a
compression check but I pulled a plug and it looked real good.
in a few days I'm going back to see if it will start-do comp.check ect.
My question is, is this a motor worth reselling if good. the carbs look great
from the outside and I'll do a teardown and clean/rebuild if Ido buy it .
I can get the bike for $100.00 or maybe $75.00.
I may be able to salvage the brakes, wheels,tank (no dents) and frame.
Prob needs a new wiring harness. I have a yamaha and have no idea of
the value of kawies. This could be a bad $ss bobber (maybe).
So any input from you kawasaki guy's woulb be great.

Thx, Ron

KirkN · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:35 pm Post subject:

The KZ650 is just a rugged and overbuilt as the KZ900/1000 motors are/were.

IMHO, if you can get it for a decent price, and it doesn't have trashed parts (crank, trans, etc), you'll not go wrong.

Good luck with it.

Kirk

jeepurz · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:29 pm Post subject:

titled? tank prob $40-60 if not rusted, I think those were steel rims but AZ rims and tank prob not to rusty, not to sure what motors worth? Id think youd make a few bucks on it. If ya need help I got a buddy in your neck of the woods whos always parting bikes, yell if you need his email, he might have a better idea or a buyer.

1 · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 7:26 am Post subject:

Thanks guy's.

I'm leaning toword a project bike. Maybe a bobber or rat streetfighter.

Jeepurs...yeah pm the email ad. I'm sure I'll need parts.

I think the guy said it's titled. hope so, because if not it's a deal breaker.

turbo_billy · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 7:31 am Post subject:

IMHO its got to be worth the $75-$100 just for the salvageable parts, let alone if the engine is good.

I`d buy it for that price.

Regards

Tim

H2Lou · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:29 am Post subject:

Steve Searles · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:07 am Post subject: Baby Kaw

The 1978 KZ650 "Baby Kaw" is or was a pretty awesome machine. Had the look of the bigger Z-1's but was a lot lighter. Had some snap to them as well. Good all around bike. I loved the blue ones. Motor is worth $400-500 if you can find a buyer. Parts may be worth something. Start becoming a junk dealer. That's what I do. No room left for anything good though.

jeepurz · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:17 pm Post subject:

CBXJuha · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:31 pm Post subject:

KZ650 - a great bike! Bulletproof engine, only the cam chain tensioner may need some extra attention. They revised it more than once, but never got it to be 100% reliable. I had a 1993 Zephyr 750 which basically has the same engine bored out to 750. Pretty much the same as the early '80s KZ750. And yes, I had some cam chain tensioner problems with the Zephyr -- the automatic tensioner sometimes giving slack to the chain. The noise easily identified, the small chain hitting the cylinder block sounds like something small loose and rattling inside the top end. Installed a manual tensioner and no problems after that.

I'm not sure which type tensioner the '78 model has but if it is the "double blade" type, it can be modified to "semi-automatic" which makes it more reliable.

It is also typical that the primary drive (a bigger chain without a tensioner) and clutch make noise -- this is more low-pitched rumble at idle. Should disappear above idle and when riding (load on transmission). Not dangerous but can sound quite harsh. A careful carb balance can reduce this noise for the most part. That is, if everything else is in order -- valves adjusted, clean carbs, no leaks etc.

redstedman · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:06 pm Post subject:

I too had a kz650b1. It was a great motor. In '82 I whipped the "new" Honda sabre v4 with it and stomped my buddy's 650 honda. It was a snap to wheelie too

Russell · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:04 pm Post subject:

Back in the day there was a day when I did a long trip on my GS650E Suzuki in company with an XJ650,a KZ650 and a CB750(The model with 3/4 fairing and 2 headlights).We were all 2 up and the road was sealed but winding and steeply undulating.The bikes were amazingly similar in performance in these real world conditions however the GS650E and the KZ650 appeared to have a slight edge over the XJ650 while either the Honda was being ridden less aggressively or it was no stronger in real world terms.When you look closely at the GS650E and the KZ650 powerplants there are clear similarities which suggest a close connection between the two factories at that time.

Steve Searles · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 7:29 am Post subject: Kaw 750 motor design

I got rid of (sold cheaply) a Kawasaki KZ750 because of that exact primary chain noise Juha is talking about. I thought it was a poor design by Kawasaki. Plus changing the starter motor was very difficult also due to the chain in the middle of the motor driving the starter. Got rid of it. Am I correct in this design?? Very, very good info CBXJuha. Thanks. This forum can be very informative!!! Now I remember, Noise got so bad I tore the top end down to find nothing, put it back togehter again and noise was still there but less. Then SOLD IT!!!!

1 · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 6:37 pm Post subject:

WOW, Thanks again for all the reply's.
With all this on the positive I think Ill go for it.
As for selling parts-not much there. the headlight & turn
sigs are missing, needs rear tire but has a brand new front.
Both control switches are broken and the wiring harness is real
bad shape. The owner claims it's only been sitting for
a few months but it looks like a couple of years are more
likely. I've been wanting to build a rat or bobber from the
ground up and this could be a great fist try.

hugojose · Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:17 am Post subject: Re: Kaw 750 motor design