Hello all

Sorry for the confusion here. Now I know why my mom didnt want me to get a bike. Anyway I just bought a 1980 LTD 650 and I love it. Its my first bike as my dad had a couple of Kawasakis when they were new. mid 70s era. Saw it sitting on the side of the road with a for sale sign on it and for some reason I stopped to look at it. The rest as they say is history.

Welcome!
Nice find and it's never to late to start riding. Great people on here with tons of info.

perfect first bike...this 650 is the one i tell my friends to get when they ask about first bikes...of course no one listens,,,plenty of power ...safe behaving...big enough to take a friend later... and not gonna be to long before you will be able to push it a little (six months )usually)...
get good gear ....as money permits...more gear...read up on saftey courses and books(google)...check your tire pressures(important) a lot untill you know what they are staying at,,,36 p.s.i is safe front and rear in my opinion....perfect friggin first bike you'll do well...oh yeah and cool windsheild and passenger rack & tie groceries rack...i'm so excited for you.....lol...keep us posted

Thanks Triangle. I did consider taking off the sissybar as my wife refuses to get on the back of it. She says its because Im new at riding but I think thats only partily true. Also because the brand name doesent start with a H. But if I did that I couldnt strap my 12pacs to the rack so its staying. Soda of course.

Joerusty1989 wrote:

... just bought a 1980 LTD 650...

Bike appears to be in excellent stock condition, underneath the accessory windshield, crashbar and sissybar luggage rack.

Perhaps of no particular concern, but the method of rear rack mounting to me seems puzzling. Is the weight carrying surface supported by braces running to the tail light mount? And what is the dangling plain-end rod from the turn signal mount?

Am more used to seeing a rack mounted on each side by using both the upper shock bolt and the seat grab rail bolt (which held the stock seat grab rail in place).

Would hate to hear about losing a case of soda. Or the back rest giving way when leaned back against.

Good Luck!

welcome to z-jungle.

Welcome to KZR !!!
Another 650 CSR/LTD !!! How many of those flippin' things DID they make, anyway ???
It looks like MOST of 'em are still on the road....leastways going by this board.....:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

welcome some women just have no taste hardly rideable indeed

Joerusty1989, that's just a great looking bike. I think you just lucked into something great. I can't believe the condition of the paint. Good stuff!

Welcome to the KZR nation. Good to have you and your KZ650 here.

Best of success.

PS
Remember to add your year, model and location in your signature to get the best responses... and it's considered real friendly too.
Bill

Thanks for the heads up on the rack Patton. Never realized that rod just kinda hangs in thin air. As the bike is now under 2 covers and a tarp, no garage I cant check it out until warmer days. I live in Superior Wi and its already cold as heck here -6 as I type this. It didnt seem loose at all but I will for sure check out whats actually holding it on. I wanted to park it in the Front hall for the winter but the wife killed that idea so its in the back yard.

just another un-asked for tip...brake pads are cheap and the fronts are allmost allways worn down some...blead the front brakes and get some fresh fluid in there...brake pads are easy to check you can even peek in the front of the brake caliper(front) and see the line on the pad itself that shows wear left on the pads...the back brake has a turning adjuster on the threaded rod to the hub ..this is different for each riders foot and reach..(the turns to liking the feel)and can really make a world of difference in safe quick stops.... as your weather permits and you take some maiden voyages...the tire pressure and condition ..and the brake feedback are great places to get started feeling your bike out and pay off in leaps and bounds...peace craig