Tulsa OK; hypermiler KZ550 or 650

Ok, I have to be honest; I'm a car guy, and I need some advice.

I've had bikes in the past, but, haven't owned one in over 20 years. They were always enduro bikes that I kept street legal so I could ride to and from the woods, trails, poker run, etc. Yamaha 175, Honda XL 250, Kawasaki KX450, Yamaha TT500.

Lately, cars haven't been doing it for me as much. I have an '89 Firebird that runs 12.40s on street tires, but, I've realized lately that I only take it to the track once or twice a year, and don't street race any more. I have a ton of money tied up in the car, it takes a lot of maintenance, and gas is 3 bucks a gallon. At 15mpg, that adds up. I'm now thinking the money I have tied up in it and the money it costs me to operate just arent woth it.

Awhile back, I met a guy who is a hypermiler. If you don't know, they're people who are obsessed with getting the best mileage possible out of their cars. I started putting some hypermiling driving techniques into action, and am now getting 23mpg. It's a nice improvement, but, the more I think about it, the more I realize I want to sell the Firebird and go in a different direction.

I looked into cars that get better mileage, but they're all so freaking boring. The last few weeks or so, I've been looking into bikes, and have decided I want an old KZ. Back when I was messing with enduro bikes, my best friend had a Z1, and I always loved that bike. Since I'm not looking for the blistering power that bike had, though, I knew I was going to want a smaller one.

The thing I've realized with my Firebird lately is that having a street car that runs low 12s is not nearly as important as having a car that's fun to drive, and that sounds cool idling at the stoplights. I think I'd enjoy the car nearly as much if I'd just put a rumpety-rump cam in the original 305, rather than putting over 5 grand into a 383. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but, the EXPERIENCE is just as important, if not more important, than the actual performance.

So, when it comes to choosing a bike, there are a few important parameters to me besides fuel economy. The first is sound. I want an inline 4, rather than a twin, simply because they sound real cool; especially when you put a pipe on it. If I'm going to get rid of my Bird to save a ton of money on gas, it would be really cool to do it on something that sounds like an Indy car.

The second important parameter is size. I'm 6'5", and weigh more than 250. While the KZ550 will probably get better mileage than the KZ650, if it's significantly smaller, the 650 would be the one I chose. Is there a big size difference between the KZ 550 and KZ650?

The next question is styling, and what models I can achieve the looks I want with. I don't know a lot about all the different models.

I love the look of the "ducktail" rear body work, for example. I know the SR models don't have that, and I've seen a few 550 LTDs advertized as "KZs" that look quite a bit different as well. What I need to know is which models I can swap that ducktail piece and seat onto, and how much fabricating it'll take.

Ultimately, I want to do something like a fusion between a street tracker, cafe racer, street fighter, and rat rod. I'm not interested in doing anything all shiny and ready for a show & shine, I just want something I can use as a daily rider whenever the weather allows that saves me money, is fun to ride, and looks different and kinda cool.

I'd appreciate any advice.

Thanks,

Sean

EDIT: One more thing. What about shaft drives?

Post edited by: seanof30306, at: 2007/07/19 01:43

Since you are starting with a clean sheet of paper by that I mean you don't already own the bike it is a pretty easy choice. The 650 would be the way to go in my opinion. From what you like in the way of styling look for a 77 to 79 650 B or C model. I'm more partial to the C's due to the mag wheels (easier to clean and no spokes to maintain) and the triple disc brakes.

You will also find that there is a heck of a lot more aftermarket parts available for the 650 than for the 550. From past experience with the 650's I can tell you you can get them to give you 61 MPG. The 550 is going to be a bit small for a guy your size and it comes with those terrible TK carbs which offer little in the way of tuneability due a to lack of replacement jets. Also the carb spacing is unique to that bike. The 650 shares the same carb spacing as the 750, 900 and 1000 so you can use carbs from any of these bikes as well as some Suzuki models as well. The basic 650 engine design was produced longer than any Kawi engine I can think of. They still made an air cooled 750 based on this engine design till I believe 2003. I just put a stainless exhaust from a 2002 750 onto my 77 650 C-1 a month or 2 ago and it was an easy swap.

As to your question regarding shaft drive Kawasaki did make the 750 LTD in a shaft drive as well as the Spectre for 2 years, they were not bad bikes but by going to the shaft drive you do lose some power. The shaft just does not transfer power as efficiently as a chain plus you are not able to change gearing like you can with a chain drive.

Thanks for the reply.

I've found a 79 KZ650; I think it's a C model. It has the ducktail bodywork, mag wheels and dual front discs. I'm going to look at it this afternoon.

From the pics, it looks pretty good. My only concern is the mileage: 28,000. What is the normal service life (in miles) for a KZ? I'm sure there are plenty of stories about people getting ridiculous mileage, but, I'm looking for an average; a rule of thumb. I'd think with the vibration and long periods of sitting up that bikes experience, that you're not going to see a lot of them going 75-100,000 miles without a major overhaul.

The guy has it listed for 1100. On the phone yesterday, he said he was looking to get 1000, and that was without my saying a word about price. He's had it listed for over a month. What should I look to pay for it?

Sounds like you found just what you are looking for. 28,000 miles is not a lot of miles for a 650, there is a member here that has one with 160,000 miles on it that is still going strong and IIRC he did not rebuild it until it had 130,000 on it. As to price if it is really nice $1000 doesn't seem too far out of line maybe a little on the high side but not too far off. Bikes fetch different amounts of money according to the time of year and where they are located, without actually seeing it it is kind of hard to make a good call. It is getting toward the end of the peak selling season and the fact that he has had it listed for a month will work in your favor, he may be tired of dicking around and willing to take the first reasonable offer. At one time the rule of thumb was a dollar a cc but that has gone up quite a bit here lately. Look at things like the condition of the rubber parts, chain and sprockets, battery, are the carbs clean? etc.etc. and go from there.

Dude, that "1.00 per cc" line was a great bargaining tool! Thanks. Got it for 800.

It's in pretty good shape. Has K&N filters and a 4-1 Mack exhaust.

They bought the battery new last year, but didn't start it for over 8 months, so it's deader'n a doornail. It won't even idle. We'll see if it comes back up with some riding. I'm doubtful. What's the best choice in a battery?

The kick starter won't stay pulled in, so it has a bungee on it. Guess I'll have to replace that. I was glad to see the electric start works when you jump it.

It runs a little rough and "burbles" at low rpm. I'm not sure if that's the battery, or the half tank of year old gas.

It's leaking oil where the speedo cable cable goes into the block, and I can't figure out how to reset the trip odometer.

Other than that, everything looks great. I'm pretty excited. I couldn't figure out how to put in a pic, so here's a link to the ad for it. It's the blue one.

tulsa.craigslist.org/mcy/363880347.html

Post edited by: seanof30306, at: 2007/07/20 17:11

Hey neighbor. You see that red one in the pic? Yup, I picked that one up about 4 weeks ago.

The red one started rough also but after riding it around with new oil and plugs and fresh gas it livened right up after a week.

The battery on mine was toast as well. Wal-Mart sells the battery you will need for around $35.

Shoot, if I would have haggled down the price of the blue one I might have taken that one home as well.

Happy wrenching! After you get your bike fixed up we can start the Tulsa 650 MC ...

Oh, and look up Ron's Cycle over on Pine in between Memorial and Sheridan. It's a kz treasure trove. They will have just about anything 650 you need. Ebay is cheaper a lot of the times, but it is convenient being able to scoot over there to get a part if you can't wait on ebay shipping. Those dudes will talk kz to you for hours also.

Post edited by: 77Davo650, at: 2007/07/20 17:51

Hey congrats I'm glad to hear it worked out for you. Sounds like you have a bike and somebody local to go riding with as well. After seeing the bike the only thing I'm curious about is what year it actually is. I'm thinking that it might actually be an 80 F model because it has a drum brake on the rear. The 79 650 C should have triple discs. Your bike appears to have 2 discs up front though and the 80 F models came with a single disc. If it is in fact a 79 someone put a rear drum brake setup on it. As to resetting the trip meter just spin the little wheel on the side of the speedo until it reaches all zeros.

Oh and by all means get rid of that old gas and start with some fresh stuff, might not be a bad idea to run some Seafoam thru it as well, a lot of folks here swear by the stuff.

Post edited by: The Gringo, at: 2007/07/20 20:50

...oh, look...somebody else got a KZ650...

...and it's not me...*aaaarrrrgggghhhh!*

77Davo650 wrote:

Hey neighbor. You see that red one in the pic? Yup, I picked that one up about 4 weeks ago.

The red one started rough also but after riding it around with new oil and plugs and fresh gas it livened right up after a week.

The battery on mine was toast as well. Wal-Mart sells the battery you will need for around $35.

Shoot, if I would have haggled down the price of the blue one I might have taken that one home as well.

Happy wrenching! After you get your bike fixed up we can start the Tulsa 650 MC ...

Oh, and look up Ron's Cycle over on Pine in between Memorial and Sheridan. It's a kz treasure trove. They will have just about anything 650 you need. Ebay is cheaper a lot of the times, but it is convenient being able to scoot over there to get a part if you can't wait on ebay shipping. Those dudes will talk kz to you for hours also.<br><br>Post edited by: 77Davo650, at: 2007/07/20 17:51

Wow, how cool is that to run across each other on here?

Right now my KZ is sitting out a Cherokee Casino. I got excited and rode it to work tonight. Might've been a little impulsive on my part.

Got there fine, but, when I came out at midnight and started it up ... no lights; except for the high beam. I switched it back to low, then up to high again, and no light. Never could get it to work again. No tail light, brake light, or emergency flashers, either. When I first got out to the bike, I realized I'd pulled the keys out of it with the switch on, so, whatever juice got built back up in the battery by riding it was surely killed off. I just hope it's just the battery, and not wiring problems, as well.

Thanks for the tip on Ron's. I'm looking for someone to work on it for me; the stuff I can't handle. Ideally, a talented shadetree. Do you have an leads for me?

I'm in Brookside; what part of town are you in?

The Gringo wrote:

Hey congrats I'm glad to hear it worked out for you. Sounds like you have a bike and somebody local to go riding with as well. After seeing the bike the only thing I'm curious about is what year it actually is. I'm thinking that it might actually be an 80 F model because it has a drum brake on the rear. The 79 650 C should have triple discs. Your bike appears to have 2 discs up front though and the 80 F models came with a single disc. If it is in fact a 79 someone put a rear drum brake setup on it. As to resetting the trip meter just spin the little wheel on the side of the speedo until it reaches all zeros.

Oh and by all means get rid of that old gas and start with some fresh stuff, might not be a bad idea to run some Seafoam thru it as well, a lot of folks here swear by the stuff.<br><br>Post edited by: The Gringo, at: 2007/07/20 20:50

It definitely has dual front discs. I though that was a little odd with the drum on the rear. I can't imagine someone switching from disc to drum; unless it was pieced together from several wrecks. The title lists it a a 1979 model KZ650B3, first sold on 3/29/80. The serial number is KZ650B532898.

They listed the seat as new, and it definitely has a new cover, but, I think it's over old foam. I rode it 16 miles to work, and it was the most uncomfortable experience for my a$$ this side of Brokeback Mountain (I imagine, I have no experience in that area).

It's also going to take a lot of getting used to. I've never been a street bike rider; even my TT500 was light as a feather compared to this. Dirt riders tend to use the rear brake a lot, and the front brake a little. I've got to re-learn riding.

I've also noticed a kinda rattling sound that comes and goes at low rpm. At first, I though it was the timing chain(s), but, I noticed it changed pitch and/or went away altogether after I wiggled the kickstarter. I'll have to check it out further when I get the bike back.

Post edited by: seanof30306, at: 2007/07/21 01:50

Okay your serial number tells the story about your brake setup. Apparently somebody put a frontend off a C or maybe a D model on it. The rear mag probably came from either an 80 650 F or possibly from a 550 A model. Those are about the only 2 bikes that I can think of that came with a drum brake 18" mag wheel.

The Gringo wrote:

Okay your serial number tells the story about your brake setup. Apparently somebody put a frontend off a C or maybe a D model on it. The rear mag probably came from either an 80 650 F or possibly from a 550 A model. Those are about the only 2 bikes that I can think of that came with a drum brake 18" mag wheel.

Cool; What's your take on the other issues I described?