Z650 - from standard to...?

It's been a long time since the last time I visited KZ Rider, but now I've started doing some work on my old Z650 I thought I should start a thread on here...

As it was when I bought it... bog standard import from the States, original exhaust, single front disc, horrid rear mudguard etc.

It didn't stay standard for long though. Started taking the horrid bits off the day I got it. Managed to find a twin disc front conversion from a shop in Stoke-on-Trent. The 650B1 had a factory option twin disc, so I had to get the second disc and caliper, which was theoretically dead easy as the Z1 had the same deal. Except the Z1 disc was slightly different (thicker, if I remember rightly), so took a bit of finding to get the right disc. The exhaust went in place of a Harris Works Performance 4-into-1, the hooge rear mudguard went and a new little number plate and dinky indicators fitted. Oh, and a horrid tool roll...

Stayed like that for a year, went to the Isle of Man TT etc, and picked up a few more bits. The spoked wheels went because I got fed up of twatting my fingers cleaning them, so found a pair of three spoke CMA alloy wheels. I'd also had enough of the marginal braking, even with the twin disc arrangement, so took a trip to see Sweary Bob at Spondon Engineering for a pair of discs and some plates to take the GSX-R four pot calipers. New springs and oil in the forks, some Raask rearsets, a ZXR master cylinder and a pair of drag bars.

It stayed like that for a while, while I was searching for a GPz750 turbo engine. I couldn't find one, and was going to settle for a ZXR750 front end, new swinging arm and 750 back wheel, but then found a cheap GPz1100 Unitrak engine... Took a while to get all the bits, the Z1000J carbs, get the top yoke risers welded on, and wait for the swinging arm (and wait, and wait, and wait). Finally got it all together, with new engine mounts and braced frame by Big 4 Engineering. Fitted some engine bars (don't know why, it seemed like a good idea at the time). New shocks built specifically for this bike by Maxton. Massive exhaust silencer on some aftermarket headers that needed loads of work as they were full of dents and scuffs.

The Martek swinging arm wasn't finished as I'd asked, and I had to modify the frame so it'd work. But it was lovely in this incarnation, pulled wheelies from tickover, really stable handling too. Made a smidge over 100bhp, if I remember rightly (got the dyno sheet somewhere), and was huge fun until it chewed up the alternator. It was then parked up while I hunted for an new alternator, but then got made redundant and went travelling for three months.
It was while I was in Daytona for Bike Week that I met Terry Kizer, and a plan started...

Mmmm engine swaps, what's the plan!?

don't stop now :woohoo: !


just as you was setting the hook you slipped off !

:laugh:

keep us posted,

leon

And here is where it's stands at the moment. Back onto the work bench after too many years sleeping under a cover...
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Oh I recognize this bike now (from another forum) what a transformation its been through. Love it

saweet :evil: !

is the tank plated?

leon

Great story and machine History, looks fantastic in its current form :evil:

The Big 4 name used to crop up alot where Zeds were mentioned are they still on the go ?

The tank is a one-off in aluminium, not plated!
Big 4 closed a fair few years ago now, much missed...

Rooting through more bits and found these, which I'll be needing...

Mikuni HSR42 and float bowl extension kit.

HSR and extension together as one...

Which is all well and good while I waited for the carb adaptor to arrive from Allens Performance.
But when it did...

Bugger!

to feed the monster !

leon

zedhead wrote: Big 4 closed a fair few years ago now, much missed...

Too Bad they used to get a few of there bikes in that Streetfighters magazine



Well you cant keep us hanging like this :woohoo: We need some more info on your Turbo specs etc :evil: