Katit's 1978 KZ650 project

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It's not always easy to restore items but I take great pleasure out of seeing how well I can improve things.  Those mirrors look to be restorable with a little cleaning.  Same for the signals.  I have a set of original mirrors somewhere.  I also have at least a couple of original signals.

Tried to buff mirror, slight corrosion come off (see pic before/after). Mirror itself also seem to come back nicely(portion polished on pic). But those headlight mounts.. Turn signals actually might be saved, I have some spares from parts bike, I may get most of them, maybe not all 4. But going to need couple new stalks. And those washers (cast alum?) inside headlight both broken (do you have any?)

Today I finally got down to frame, going to drop it off at sandblaster, not going to deal with it myself.


 

Metal Rescue!

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Metal Rescue!

Well yes. But it won't put coating back on metal. Wouldn't it rust in those spots again?

Starting to look much better!  The headlight ears look restorable, although the inside might not be perfect, but it's on the inside where it doesn't show.  Yes, I think I have a few of those insert washers with the ground wires but I'm also fairly certain you can get them through Z1E or maybe even Partzilla.  Have you checked?

Edited to add that I had a set of headlight ears from a Z1 that I used on my 650 restoration.  They are interchangeable if you want to go with new ones.

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Yes, I think I have a few of those insert washers with the ground wires but I'm also fairly certain you can get them through Z1E or maybe even Partzilla.  Have you checked?

$35 each?? Found 2 on ebay for $40. 

Looks like yes, most of the stuff is there, available. For instruments I did decide to go with electronic Speedhut gauges. Should work great with no cables and cheaper than restoring. 
Right now only "open" question - what to do with fenders. I didn't get estimate with a chrome place, but expect it to be crazy. All those chrome bolts that I see looks like available. Not cheap, but $200 should get me all I need. OTOH - for small bolts/stuff my local place should get them chromed cheaper. Will take all chrome to them and see what they say..

Right now main priority is rolling chassis. It means painting everything that needs painted (black) and getting wheels rebuilt. Going to check them for straightness and then re-lace.

This one doesn't fit into my blast cabinet. 2 gallons of gas + 1 benjamin and I got good results. And my sanity is still there.

 

How satisfying is it to have nice clean parts to work with, a prepped frame really makes you feel like you are getting somewhere 

Yes, my goal is to move this project ASAP. Trying to build a master plan on what do I need to do first. Current priority - roller situation.
That includes wheels and forks (and figure out which shocks to get). That means - vapor blasting service (might be a week wait). Also need chrome parts (might be 2 month).
Right now - top priority is to get all chrome bits prepped and taken to plater.
Second priority - parts for vapor blast
Third priority - blast remaining black parts and get all painted.

After all this planned and assigned - I will start looking into what I need electrics-wise and start tedious work on plating rest of non-chrome hardware.

Don't loose sight of the fact that this process is supposed to Be enjoyable, if it starts getting you down take a break for a week or two. It is the milestone moments like the blasted frame and the running motor that keep you going through the slog of the small parts and the frustrations of tracking down rare parts you need to finish it. "Banging them out double time" is for the guys who earn their living from it 

wrote:

Don't loose sight of the fact that this process is supposed to Be enjoyable, if it starts getting you down take a break for a week or two. It is the milestone moments like the blasted frame and the running motor that keep you going through the slog of the small parts and the frustrations of tracking down rare parts you need to finish it. "Banging them out double time" is for the guys who earn their living from it 

True. I agree, this is hobby for me afterall. But! I am on a mission because I heard it run. I bought this bike (big mistake) just because I heard KZ650 running and rode it for a split moment (another bike). I want to ride it in 2022 fall. In all reality - most work now going to be "office work". Where I will need to go through my garage notes, pictures and fiches and decide what I need to order, etc. I am moving at a slow pace, maybe couple hours per day. But downtimes when waiting for orders or chrome is usually worst. And I want all this pile of stuff rolling around and not be all over the place in my garage.

Also, I told myself no more bikes until this one is done. So, I am motivated We also going to move out for 3-4 month due to pretty big construction and I won't be able to do much. 

Yesterday got everything organized, now I have clear picture on whats to be done (less electrics and wheels)
Took all chrome to plater today. This is EXPENSIVE. But cheaper than buying new, so be it. ETA - July! Plenty of time to get things in order.

Attached is my list of stuff and what to do.

Questions: What good shocks would you recommend?
Since I am going to relace wheels with new spokes, which rims would you recommend? This bike is not going to be original, so I have a freedom to get something cool installed.


 

I like the Kawasaki mags.  I think they came standard on the D1 but there are many different models using them.