Newbie wants to restore 78 KZ650

Greetings from north of Toronto Canada!

I am 45 yrs old and last rode about 20 years ago when I had a 74 Honda CB550. Just before I got married I sold my beloved bike without knowing that it would be a problem getting another bike. For 20 years, I've been getting the old "choose the bike or a divorce" line. Well I've finally decided to ditch the...never mind.

No, just kidding. My friend Bob's friend Vic from Winnipeg was storing his 1978 KZ650 in Bob's barn and I've had my eye on it for the past 5 years. Three years ago Vic said I could have the bike when I made a half serious but nevertheless hollow offer to restore it. It's taken me this long to actually pick it up (truth is, Bob's moving to Ottawa so I didn't have a choice). So it's in my garage now and I have to make the big decision to embark upon a restoration or not. My hidden agenda was this...keep the klunker kicking around for a while under the premise of bike restoration, warm up the wife to the idea of a bike, then ease into a brand new comfortable state of the art touring Goldwing or the like.

My friend Norm helped me pick up the bike last night. He's a competetive motorcycle trials rider and a real gearhead. He keeps laughing at me and trying to convince me not to start this project. Last night my wife saw the bike and said "it looks like junk, won't it cost you more to restore it than to buy a new one?" So far, my plan is ahead of schedule and working like a charm.

But here's the thing...now that I have the bike, the more people laugh at the idea of restoring it, the more determined I am to do it!

Mechanically speaking, the 78 KZ650 comes from the same era as my 74 CB550 and I've had that bike in pieces down to the crankcase before (when I was 18) so it shouldn't be too much of a technical challenge...gravity fed carbs, air-cooled, no fancy electronics, tires are still inflated and there's still compression...how bad could it be. The bulk of it will be finding replacement parts and the cost. Time I have plenty of.

Any thoughts? Words of encouragement or discouragement? Where should I start my quest? What resources can you point me to? Thanks in advance for your help!

Don

Post edited by: donlee, at: 2007/06/07 22:02

welcome and we are all picture junkies here!

Post a pic. so we can see what we are talking about here.

Ok. I initially tried when I first posted but the image was too big. I have a smaller file now so it should work now...

Here's another one...

I put a post in you duplicate quesion, I'll move it here so the other one can be deleted.

Done:

I would see if you can even get it running to begin with, actually check the compression with a gauge, drain the tank and put fresh gas in it, pull the bowls off the carbs and see how crappy they are, clean if necessay, put fresh plugs in it, change the oil, jumper the battery off your car without the car running or put a slow charge into it if it will take it. Set the choke and see if it runs. At least then you will have some idea where you stand with it. Ask questions along the way, that's what we are here for,,
And I know all too well what you mean when someone tells you it can't be done, been there done that.
Ride safe.

Post edited by: The Milkman, at: 2007/06/07 22:21

thanks, I think the duplicate post happened when my big image wasn't accepted.

I've been getting the old "choose the bike or a divorce" line. Well I've finally decided to ditch the...never mind.

That's a no-brainer! :laugh: J/K Don, hope things work out one way or the other. Whereabouts north of TO? You can put your location in your sig line (go to your profile).

Regarding the bike, actually aftermarket parts are not really that expensive, basic things like brake pads, cables, etc.. For harder to find parts, Ebay or the classifieds here are your friend. Also, you might be surprised what your local Kawi dealer has sitting on the shelf collecting dust. There also is a great network of KZ owners here with spare parts galore. Get a manual, preferably the factory service manual or a Clymer's. If you go back through the archives or the projects forum, look at all the restoration examples, and by utilizing the search function, you'll likely find an answer to any question.

Welcome to the site, and keep us posted.

Don, what you have there is no ordinary Kz650, Thats an SR650. I don't have any words of discouragement, in fact, neither of us will. I am glad you got past the wife with it, when she asks that question just tell her you die faster on the new ones than the old ones. I am teaching my girlfriend how to ride now so she wouldn't put me out of commision if we tie the knot. And she is learning on my SR.

RESTORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post edited by: pumps, at: 2007/06/09 20:48

show her this picture and tell her it could be much worse! welcome to z-jungle

Welcome donlee.

Another vote for a restore here, or at least get her running well and enjoy her.

I'm also in my 40s and have a 650. I've had it since the '80s, and it sat stored for many years after I met my wife. She's the one who actually nudged me into getting her road worthy again. :laugh:

I'm also North of Toronto, and may be able to lend a hand if possable.
Give us an idea where your hiding out. We wont laugh at your bike.