1978 Kz 650 recommission. Will it run?
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- Опубліковано 11 гру 2024
- This set of videos will walk through the recommission of a complete and original but apparently scruffy '77 Kz650 from end to end. I love these little 650s, without doubt the best middleweight of the 70s and arguably the template for every Japanese multi that came after. This bike really did everything. Fast, reliable, taut handling, bulletproof engine, brakes that worked - even in the rain and on the whole, built to an excellent quality no matter if they were Japanese or Nebraskan builds. I bought the bike around Christmas 2020 as a non running project bike from my friend Jim Wolfe at All Brands Cycles in Muskegon, Michigan.
It's clearly been living outside for some time, so looks quite careworn and hasn't run for years so is a great candidate for bringing back from it's hibernation and letting someone get tons of pleasure from riding it again this summer. But will it run, is the engine knocking like a bag of bolts, how much effort and pain is required to have it zipping along in the sun again and getting envious looks from the guys that wish they were still on bikes? Is it financially viable as a project? Watch and I hope, enjoy. Thanks, Rod
I rode one of these right after high school in the mid-80s. Absolutely loved it. I wish I hadn't sold it.
Nice one rod I’m doing a 1975 KZ400 at the moment nearly finished I’m just waiting for the registration to come back , keep the videos coming 👍🏻🏴
Send me a couple of pics Luke. Always good to know there's more guys as daft as me around. :0) Registrations killing me right now. Previously 7-10 working days, but post-Covid 2 months! Just about to do another non-running KZ in a sorry state so there might be stuff there that helps. Who knows? rodcurrie88@gmail.com.
Hope it's going to be in candy emerald green, Rod. I rode one of these in the 70s and I agree with all you say about the machine - a piece of motorcycling history.
Hi Julian. Thanks for the comment. Actually this one is now back in the blue it was built in, and like "my" bike in the vid but I've just put a different bike, a '78 back to the lovely green you mention that came to me in a weird 2-tone. Looks superb. PM me if you want a pic.
Very good and informative video. I especially like the polishing of the side covers part. I recently acquired a 77 KZ650B1 and was wondering how to clean up the side covers. Your method is just what I need, as I'm looking at freshening up the looks, not show room perfection. Great content 👍👍
Thanks Derek. I'm just about to post a vid on making corroded or scratched fork legs look great again for almost zero cost...you might find it useful. Thanks for the comment
@@rodcurrieclassics8102 Looking forward to it.
I cut my teeth on one of these. Best riding bike I have ever been on.
yes. They're a great bike and the first bike that did everything well-thus the template for every bike after.
Not burglars Rod that'll be the shed pixies up to their mischief.
I use Easy start on reluctant engines.
Yeah...can't the past the view from my old plant days that ether-based easystart beat the bejasus out of reluctant diesels when they started up as they used to knock like buggery. Maybe modern stuff is less vicious, but I still have that aversion to it. Maybe it's worth a try?...WDIK.
Great stuff on the polishing what wheels exactly did you use and what type of paste? I could not quite get it from your video. Thanks and greetings, Leo
Hi Leo. I use "sisal" 6" cutting wheel with blue cutting compound. You can use more aggressive compound ( like the brown one) but I haven't really seen the benefit. Just search for blue cu=tting compound own Ebay and you'll find it. It also does fine for final polishing, and for that I use a cloth polishing wheel that goes into your pistol drill with a little arbor to hold it and grab the wheel. I did a vid on GS 750 that I went into a little more detail on. It's here on my channel. Buy some 6" and some 3" wheels, 1 each cutting and polishing and some blue compound and you'll have pretty much what you need. Thanks for watching
@@rodcurrieclassics8102 thanks very much for your reply I will try to find some here
My type of video, in the workshop playing with Z650's...
I can't argue with that....my wife thinks if I could get away with it I think I'd have a bed put in there. Not true, I'd need a beer fridge too. :0)
Nice video! I´m currently working on a kz650 from 82 myself, but carb nr 2 is leaking. Do you know the correct float height? Kind regards from Sweden
Hi Alvin.Thanks for the comment. The float heights are best set up in the manner I show on my carburettor videos . I have 2 listed....but as a rule of thumb, from experience 26mm will put you in a good place
@@rodcurrieclassics8102 Thanks for the quick response. I'm definetly going to have a look at those videos! Sadly the previous owner fitted pod filters and threw away the airbox, nothing a little trail and error can't fix. Thanks again!
Hey Alvin. Airboxes are always coming up for sale, the bikes run better with them on and you know you're not pulling crud into your engine. They also increase the value way more than the cost. You'll get one for 40-50 bucks and a set of carb-to-airbox rubber joints about the same. It'll also make you feel good every time you look at the bike. Enjoy the bike
The coolest and ugliest seats ever made for kz650
Yeah. I've just bought a KZ900 that also has the same seat...aaaagh! Never mind...my upholsterer will rebuild it to look like something that enhances the bike. Thanks for watching