Mine was a 1977 too. It was the KZ650 C Model in Blue. Awesome bike. The only downside was the early generation mag wheels. Monster heavy. Toured just after the break in process from Canada near Detroit area to L.A -Houston and home. Replaced the rear tire from the desert rides. And, did my own brake fluid change. (Always buy and keep the Shop Manual ! ) Not a bike related problem at all. Had to sell it to go back to University. Miss it often.
I have the blue one. I bought it new and just had detail work on it. It's got aluminum rims and SS spokes. A looker, and rides like a new one! I'll never sell it! Bikes stay nicer longer in California.
Great bike, i have a KZ650 based Hardtail Chopper here in Scotland, the title is 82 but i think the engine is earlier as it has points ignition, had to go through the carbs and replace the carb to head rubbers, also used petrol proof float bowl gaskets as i had issues with leaks but now starts and runs great, it's real old school, basic, kick start only, i love it. Cold and damp here just now, no salt yet but there will be soon, can't wait till the Spring time.
That bike might have been titled for 1978, however, it is actually a B1. Firstly, the front brake caliper is in the front of the fork which is exclusively 1977. The second telltale is the lack of four-way flashers or hazard lights that were introduced in 1978 B2. Also, those are not the original grips, they might be period correct to the purchase, however, I'm afraid those are not factory originals. Also, those side covers and cam covers were polished aluminum, not chrome. It is a very nice motorcycle, but it is rarer than you give it credit for since it is a first-year model.
KZ650 had so much potential lurking inside, all it took was a set of Uni Filters and a Kerker 4 into 1 and these things became giant killers as well as being stone reliable. Please Please Kawasaki do a run of these like you did on the new Z1 !
Restored the '75 500(didn't have starter) for hundreds of bucks like 15 years ago spending less than $300.00. It had been leaning against a lawmower shop with plugs out for over a decade.. This the CB and GL are the staples of the seventies "super bike"
Inmaculada, raro que tenga llantas con rallos, xq en el 78 ya venían las KZ con llantas de aliacion magnesio, de todos modos, está de exposición,. Mí nombre es Xavier saludos desde Argentina,,
Aw wow Ken. That bike is amazing. Naked retro are right up my street. I’m actually looking to add one to my collection. But decent ones are not cheap in the uk. As always very entertaining and interesting video. I had a Z1300 back in 1985. That was a nice machine. 6 cylinder carburettor model. Wish I had that baby now.Have you came across any on your journey thru motorcycle history. Best wishes from UK . 👍
Man that KZ is amazing I had daily ride stolen from my work when I was fourteen years old it was a mint CL 175 but fortunately I replaced it with my favorite childhood bike a mint KZ 400 with front and rear big knobbies
Bought a blue '71 CL 450(when they had the scrambler exhaust) that just needed carb work but was mint for $75.00 at a yard sale in 1995. They are pretty hard to find now. I've seen bikes with the most expensive alarms money can buy disappear from houses and work places
Had one exactly like that same color and everything just like it. It was a good bike. At about the same horsepower is a modern bikes do now but it didn't handle is good but tires back then had a lot to do with it
That bike is immaculate so beautiful I had that same bike 1977 Kawasaki 650 and it was stalled on me to never to be found. After that I got a 1978 Kawasaki 650c and moondust silver I wish I had that bike still saddlebags Tracy Vortex 750 watt stereo system do you ever run across those KZ650c motorcycles and do you sell them
Looks like a 1977 model to me, I can tell by looking at the front brake master cylinder, and the front brake caliper is mounted in front of the disc. 78 model had a different master cylinder, and front brake caliper mounted behind the disc. I thought you knew your bikes Ken ?
That is a 77 B1 give the front brake arrangement. Used these go for 3,500 in very good condition. 5,500 in mint original unmolested. The weirdos in the UK pay stupid money for this stuff. Pod filters are silly....4-1 and up the mains.
These "weirdos" have inflated classic bike & vehicle prices to laughable levels as believers that classic vehicles are guaranteed to rise in value & are positive investments, thus pricing out most true motorcycling fan/rider chances of a decent classic model. The UK z650 prices, as with many other Zeds, are rapidly increasing, particularly b1 & b2, with some mis-advertising & asking ridiculous prices for the not so enthralling z650d model. On a selfish point: Let the increase continue as I have been fortunate enough to keep most of my older bikes whenever I purchased a newer bike ( GSX1100S Kat, GPz, ZX10, R1, Fireblade, & more), so my bike stable is pretty full. My three 1977 z650B1 models (personally owned since 1982, 1984 & 1988 costing
in the late 70's that was the bike to have, then put a 4 into 1 header!!!! this is a very nice bike
Another beauty from the golden era.
Mine was a 1977 too. It was the KZ650 C Model in Blue. Awesome bike. The only downside was the early generation mag wheels. Monster heavy. Toured just after the break in process from Canada near Detroit area to L.A -Houston and home. Replaced the rear tire from the desert rides. And, did my own brake fluid change. (Always buy and keep the Shop Manual ! ) Not a bike related problem at all. Had to sell it to go back to University. Miss it often.
I had that exact bike. Loved that thing. Had a blue C model too.
had a blue 1976 kz 650 these old bikes are simple n run forever
I have the blue one. I bought it new and just had detail work on it. It's got aluminum rims and SS spokes. A looker, and rides like a new one! I'll never sell it! Bikes stay nicer longer in California.
Fantastic looking bike sounds great. The factory floor looks amazing Ken also another great video from you and junior. ❤❤
Great bike, i have a KZ650 based Hardtail Chopper here in Scotland, the title is 82 but i think the engine is earlier as it has points ignition, had to go through the carbs and replace the carb to head rubbers, also used petrol proof float bowl gaskets as i had issues with leaks but now starts and runs great, it's real old school, basic, kick start only, i love it. Cold and damp here just now, no salt yet but there will be soon, can't wait till the Spring time.
That bike might have been titled for 1978, however, it is actually a B1. Firstly, the front brake caliper is in the front of the fork which is exclusively 1977. The second telltale is the lack of four-way flashers or hazard lights that were introduced in 1978 B2. Also, those are not the original grips, they might be period correct to the purchase, however, I'm afraid those are not factory originals. Also, those side covers and cam covers were polished aluminum, not chrome. It is a very nice motorcycle, but it is rarer than you give it credit for since it is a first-year model.
1976 was the first year for the kz650b
I stand corrected
Man, I live in Arizona believe it or not it's 81 degrees outside, I'll be going for a ride tomorrow !
KZ650 had so much potential lurking inside, all it took was a set of Uni Filters and a Kerker 4 into 1 and these things became giant killers as well as being stone reliable. Please Please Kawasaki do a run of these like you did on the new Z1 !
Restored the '75 500(didn't have starter) for hundreds of bucks like 15 years ago spending less than $300.00. It had been leaning against a lawmower shop with plugs out for over a decade.. This the CB and GL are the staples of the seventies "super bike"
Just for info, it's not a 1978 model, it's a 1977. Several things different between the two years
Its almost like he has no idea what he is talking about.
Inmaculada, raro que tenga llantas con rallos, xq en el 78 ya venían las KZ con llantas de aliacion magnesio, de todos modos, está de exposición,. Mí nombre es Xavier saludos desde Argentina,,
Time capsule condition.....LOVE IT!!
My gosh that is beautiful !
My mom and dad have one in the garage. All original
Aw wow Ken. That bike is amazing.
Naked retro are right up my street.
I’m actually looking to add one to my collection. But decent ones are not cheap in the uk.
As always very entertaining and interesting video. I had a Z1300 back in 1985. That was a nice machine. 6 cylinder carburettor model. Wish I had that baby now.Have you came across any on your journey thru motorcycle history. Best wishes from UK . 👍
Man that KZ is amazing I had daily ride stolen from my work when I was fourteen years old it was a mint CL 175 but fortunately I replaced it with my favorite childhood bike a mint KZ 400 with front and rear big knobbies
Bought a blue '71 CL 450(when they had the scrambler exhaust) that just needed carb work but was mint for $75.00 at a yard sale in 1995. They are pretty hard to find now. I've seen bikes with the most expensive alarms money can buy disappear from houses and work places
I had that bike brand new in 1977. Bulletproof. I stepped up to a kz1000 several years later, but I didn't like it as much the 650.
I found the 1000 too heavy in town, but awesome on the interstate.
Nice love your work
Had one exactly like that same color and everything just like it. It was a good bike. At about the same horsepower is a modern bikes do now but it didn't handle is good but tires back then had a lot to do with it
Curious what this put down on the Dyno?
That bike is immaculate so beautiful I had that same bike 1977 Kawasaki 650 and it was stalled on me to never to be found.
After that I got a 1978 Kawasaki 650c and moondust silver I wish I had that bike still saddlebags Tracy Vortex 750 watt stereo system do you ever run across those KZ650c motorcycles and do you sell them
Looks like a 1977 model to me, I can tell by looking at the front brake master cylinder, and the front brake caliper is mounted in front of the disc. 78 model had a different master cylinder, and front brake caliper mounted behind the disc. I thought you knew your bikes Ken ?
The Kawasaki engineer who designed/developed this model also designed the original Z1...
Cool, is that for Sale.
It’s raining today so we can’t take it outside. What , that’s when it becomes water cooled.
Saweeeet !!!!! 😍
Damn that was the first street bike I owned kz650 I was 16yrs old!!👍cops couldn't keep up with it😁😁😁🖕"she's a beut Clarke"
what did this end up sellin for?
Did the same to mine !
I have a 1978 kz650 in good shape want to sell but not sure how or what its worth anyone let me know
Hey Ken, whats the asking price..?
He never responded.. I'm looking to buy the same bike with 1,200 original miles. Omg I have Gold in my hands lol
Does that bike have a shield on the front?
I seen this bike somewhere
Beauty
👍💪
Nice but...... I own the one and only King; a 75’ Z1b. It not as mint as this, but still all there.
Cool story bro
That is a 77 B1 give the front brake arrangement. Used these go for 3,500 in very good condition. 5,500 in mint original unmolested. The weirdos in the UK pay stupid money for this stuff. Pod filters are silly....4-1 and up the mains.
These "weirdos" have inflated classic bike & vehicle prices to laughable levels as believers that classic vehicles are guaranteed to rise in value & are positive investments, thus pricing out most true motorcycling fan/rider chances of a decent classic model.
The UK z650 prices, as with many other Zeds, are rapidly increasing, particularly b1 & b2, with some mis-advertising & asking ridiculous prices for the not so enthralling z650d model.
On a selfish point:
Let the increase continue as I have been fortunate enough to keep most of my older bikes whenever I purchased a newer bike ( GSX1100S Kat, GPz, ZX10, R1, Fireblade, & more), so my bike stable is pretty full.
My three 1977 z650B1 models (personally owned since 1982, 1984 & 1988 costing
Theyre not rare. Their are many on facebook for sale.