80 KZ650 Ltd . My first bike project!

Ok, so originally I started a post like this a different area, but I figured it fit better in the Projects section. About a month or two ago I picked up a 1980 KZ650. Its my first on road bike that I have ever owned. Im 27 so I guess its a good time to start. Found it on craigslist for $700. Offered him $500 and he laughed at me. So I picked it up for $600.



When I got her home she was running a little rough. Only running on 2 cylinders. Put new plugs in her and she ran like a champ.

First thing I did was pull off the front forks since they were rusted to all hell. My cousin gave me a front end off a 1980 Yamaha XS850 for free. The forks slid right in the Kz's triple tree and gave it a dual disc setup. The wheel is similar enough to not look all that different. Plus it pushed the front wheel out just a wee bit. I kinda like it. Also started on my paintwork.




I noticed the other day that both coil packs were cracked really bad. (Prob. the reason it doesn't run right all the time) So I won on ebay a set of dyna coils and a Jardine exhaust from a guy in Orlando for $137. Im going tomorrow morning to pick those up.
Ill be doing more to her soon. Im in the process of working on a cafe style seat using an 82 YZ125 seat. Its starting to take shape. And for the tail light Ill be using a 2008 GSXR1000 light. LED integrated one. ($25 off ebay).

Tell me what ya guys think.

it looks cool and that tip with the frontend is awesome the front end doesn't know what bike it came off of as long as it fits why not use it.

i like it. hope the coils set you straight...

yeah me too. Its a 150 miles round trip.

I think im gonna do the coil mod. (Run a relay to power the coils). I heard good things about that.

Clean out the tank, clean up the carbs, it already came w/a k&n air filter, and rebuild the front calipers and master cylinder.

So I picked up my coils today and my exhaust. Put everything on and decided now is a good time to pull the carbs and give them a good ol' cleanin. Well the first bowl I took off a round brass piece and a ball bearing was in the bowl. I noticed that they go in the bowl and their is supposed to be a little clip holding them in their respective hole. So I drop the little ball in my garage. Spend 30 min. laying on the ground to find it. Pick it up and it goes flying outta my fingers for its final time. I searched high and low and came up empty. Anyone know where I can get one?

This is the ball that I lost :S


Out with the old exhaust. In with the new(er) Jardine


I think the coils were definitely a problem.



So now this is how she resides.


Oh yes and I will definitely be running a relay to power my coils. My battery is at 11.7v. (its been sitting a while) When I tested it at the coils, 7.65 V. I think that is one of my main issues!!!!

So I figure Ill put up the start of my seat that I am making. 82 yz125 seat.




I know, I know, it looks like crap at the moment. But give me time, my creative skills are brewing in my head. When it is done the rear tail that I will be making will have a 08' GSXR1000 taillight and will flip up with the seat.

Just thought Id put up what my father and I built a little over a year ago. This beast has 130 hp. and 130 ft. lbs. of tq. It scares me!

Looking good man, i like it alot. Definate improvement with the coils and pipes. Take your time on the seat im sure you will come up with a killer idea. The v-twin is sick, i love it. It kind of looks like my best friend's dad's custom soft tail, but he decided to paint his tangerine orange, and has a black thunder header on it, i love the way his sounds when we ride. 130 hp, and 130 foot pounds tourqe, holy shit that mother has to get up and walk.....wow.

Looking good.

I don't know what the ball bearing is for, but if you know the approx. size, you can get them at most bicycle shops. They have the common sizes. 1/8" 5/32" 3/16" 7/32" 1/4"

loudhvx wrote:

Looking good.

I don't know what the ball bearing is for, but if you know the approx. size, you can get them at most bicycle shops. They have the common sizes. 1/8" 5/32" 3/16" 7/32" 1/4"

Its funny, Around 8 this morning I got a call from my mom. She was pulling her scooter out of the garage and just happened to see it layin on the floor. Now Im excited to get it in and see how she runs.

So last night I intalled the carbs back on the bike. Cylinder #2 itsn't firing. And cyl #3 doesn't seem to be working just right. #2 gets great spark and its def. getting fuel. #2 and #3 plugs are black so Im thinking that it could be the ign. timing or the points need to be adjusted. Ahhhh this is never ending.

Wow, its been a long time since Ive updated this. Anywho, finally had some time to work on this bike after about a year. Im going with a whole new color scheme. I tore I bike down to the bare frame. Also, I got the dyna ignition for it and she ran a hell of a lot better then she ever did since ive had her.

So here are some pics of it now.

The lower forks are black now. Along with the headlight and brackets for that. The tank and plastics will be black, and the wheels are going to be black with green (green where the polished face is on the wheels.)

Got a buddy of mine helping me out swapping out tires on her tomorrow, so hopefully Ill have more pics of her on the ground tomorrow and possibly running!

The other day I picked up some foam thats used to fake plants and whatnot. Glued them together and started making the mold for my seat.



Had to cut off the back so my taillight will be seen.


08? gsxr 1000 led tail light with blinkers






Should be laying down some fiberglass here in the next few days.