My Newest KZ650 has arrived Pics added

Andy, I have a question about your KZ650. Below the headlight on my 750 is a front emblem ... it is mounted to a bracket which is in turn mounted to the proportioning valve and then onto the lower triple tree .... see pic >>>

Another member here at KZR, rdgrnr, and I are trying to fab up a mount for one of these emblems for his '77 650. It would seem that some 650's had the emblem and some did not. ... so here's the question .... is there a factory mount that will work to mount a emblem on his bike or will we, indeed, need to make something up???

That's a very nice example, Andy. I really think you should offer it to Bad Kaw!

As for the hornets nest, that would only take them a few weeks to build one that size. Industrious little critters they are.

Thanks Nate, I'm pretty tickled with this bike so far, it's coming back to life with a minimum of effort on my part. I did the WG coil repowering mod last weekend and now it starts instantly and the throttle response is great even with old plugs. I still haven't had to pull the carbs and the more I mess with it the more it looks like I won't have to.

I've got the 750 LTD charging system parts all mounted, all I still need to do is tighten the rotor bolt with an impact gun and button it all up. The only problem is I don't have an impact so I'll have to take it off the porch and ride it up to the local garage and have them do it.

So far the spendometer is still under $500.00 including the $90.00 I spent in gas to go get it. I'm still gonna have to figure out what I'm going to do with the absurdly loud exhaust and I still need to buy a new set of tires. I will have some fun lighting up the existing back tire before I replace it though. Can we say powerbrake? :evil: :evil: :evil:

Dale, I got Dave the info he needs about the bracket.

Here is a pic of what it looks like under the countershaft cover. I'm loving the lack of built-up chain-lube goo.

Nice Find Andy ,, I need to find one so clean

Thanks Dave, I agree life would be much easier if all our finds were in this kind of condition. I just synched the carbs yesterday afternoon and does it ever run sweet now. I still have to do something about the noise though my one neighbor is gonna hate me more than he does already.:ohmy:

I did find 2 more bikes to buy yesterday a 76 KZ900 with 6000 original miles that actually starts and runs with original pipes still on it. I'm also getting a 77 1000 LTD with 22,000 miles on it. The LTD has the stock Jardine mufflers as well. I'm thinking about bringing the KZ900 to vintage days and just selling it as is. Restoration stuff for 900's just costs too much and people seem to be willing to pay big bucks for 900's so I think I'll just take the money and run. I'm going to pick them up around noon so I'll try to get some pics later.

This is a pic of the air filter that came out of the 650.

Yesterday I finally took this bike for a short ride. Hard to believe it's taken me this long to do this but since I got this bike I've bought 5 more so I've been a little distracted. While I was tuning the bike I managed to melt the lead off the end of the clutch cable when it got against the pipes so I had to rob a cable off one of my other bikes. The bike rides pretty nice but it still has the stupidly loud exhaust so in order to not piss off the entire neighborhood I just rode it around the block once. I checked out the charging system with a meter and that is working perfectly.

In order to stay with the budget resto theme for the Motorcyclist Retro article, I've decided to install the ZR7 stock exhaust that was on my 650 C-1. I only paid $106.00 for that system and it is nice and quiet. That system should eliminate the mid-range flat spot that is currently there with the open pipes. I just need to wait a day or so for my Z-1 Ent. order with the new gaskets to arrive.

I still want to repaint the master cylinder and add fresh brake fluid to the system and buy a new set of tires but for the most part this one is done.

Keep us posted on the article Andy. Us Canucks can't get the magazine.

My current ride was bought with only 3400 miles on it and it looks it but I think yours is cleaner. Definatly, around the sprocket:ohmy:

Saki Jockey wrote:

Keep us posted on the article Andy. Us Canucks can't get the magazine.

I got one here in Alberta

I've been riding this one for the last couple of days and I have to say I like it! The bike will start within 1/2 a kick and it runs and idles like a champ. The exhaust is due to come off in the morning since my Z-1 Ent. order arrived today and I now have 4 new exhaust gaskets. It will be interesting to see the difference some back pressure will make in how it runs. I was thinking about riding it to a bike night at a local bar tonight but I had some late customers in my bar so I had to scrap that idea.

One of our caddies said to me sarcastically, "nice bike I almost didn't hear you coming down the road". I told him don't worry that is going to change in a day or so. Then the little smart ass said, "what's the matter are you getting too old for noise like that". I told him I'd rather have a bike that sounds like I'm going 20 mph when I'm doing 100 mph than have a bike that sounds like I'm doing 100 mph at 20 mph. Stupid kid has never been hassled by a cop about a loud exhaust apparently.

One of our members lives next door to where I park and since it was about 10:00 when I left work I'm sure he was just thrilled at my exit.:laugh:

One other thing on the to do list is to pull the front forks and make them look like this.

Where in Colombia is she from? Last summer I flew to Bogota and stayed 2 weeks. I loved it. The scenery and the food was wonderful. I dint want to come back home.

My wife is from Cali and the very poor section at that. I absolutely hate it down there and can't wait to get her out. The beer down there is too warm and the showers are too cold. Trust me you don't know the meaning of the word agony until you've taken a 50 degree shower. I'm also not a huge fan of Colombian food, too much rice to suit me and I found it to be pretty bland as well. I do like the way she makes eggs though. Once she gets here I'll let her handle making breakfast but I think I'll handle any lunches or dinners. I also make great reservations.:laugh:

I flew into Bogota on the way back the last time I was there. It looks to be a much nicer city than Cali, much cooler temps and high up in the mountains. You probably noticed all the greenhouses when you flew into Bogota, most people are unaware that Colombia is a huge exporter of fresh flowers. Most people just think of cocaine, coffee and emeralds when you mention Colombia. They also have some of the most beautiful women on the planet there.