Hello from Northern Arizona

Hello All,
My name is Jason and I picked up a '78 KZ650 basket case/roller about 3 years ago and just stared working on it this spring. It is titled a '78, but the VIN aligns with a '79 D2. Couldn't really tell because it had no tank, no wiring, no bars, no seat, etc.

After months of work, I have it running and ride it daily. This forum has helped a lot, so I thought I should "do the right thing" and say, "Thank you."

I have started to realize this beast will be an ongoing maintenance project, so I expect I'll be getting much more involved...if I don't pull my hair out trying to find parts up here in a small town.

Cheers,
Jason

Hell Jasonray,
We pretty much have tunnel vision for Z-1's, so we won't be much help on later or smaller Z-bikes, but it's nice to see the old Kaws being kept alive.

Welcome.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

There's lots of smaller four owners here obviously. Any bike takes work, that's half the fun.
Steve

Welcome aboard!
Amazon, fleebay, FedEx, Z1E and forum members make small towns less of a disadvantage than they used to be when it comes to finding parts.
Some pics would be nice.

Welcome Jason.
I second the request for pictures.

I need to dig up some true before photos. In the meantime, here are two pics.

I had no idea what I was doing when I started this project, so I went on ebay and started buying the least expensive stock parts I could find to try and set a solid base. Bought stock handlebar with controls, headlight bucket with mount, dual front brake lines and splitter, and a seat cover. That is the first pic with the black tank. Got the bike running after rebuilding the carbs, and replacing the points and condenser. Had to then buy the gauges so I had somewhere to put the ignition. Then bought a tank with far fewer dents than the black one, replaced the reg/rec, stator and rotor and NOW I feel I have a good base.

Oh yeah, also replaced the fork springs and seals, plus the original front mag was outta spec causing a severe wobble at 60+ mph, so that was swapped with an eBay purchase and lastly, changed to needle bearings in the steering stem.

Again, I feel I'm at a good base, with A LOT of new motorcycle knowledge. And all for $900 (including the new tires which I learned to mount and balance myself). I've been riding a '93 Harley 883 for years, but I have learned more from this Kawasaki in the past 7 months than I ever dreamed.

Good job.
Steve