Hello KZ Riders!

that bike is in awesome condition if i were you i would not change to much very rarly do you find a survior in that kind of shape it could be a show winner just like it is i would look for another one to modify

Forrest wrote:

I am going to take off the highway/crash bars and big ole back rest.

DIBS on the backrest :laugh:

Did you receive my PM? Regards, Ed

brakelikethe wrote:

Forrest wrote:

I am going to take off the highway/crash bars and big ole back rest.

DIBS on the backrest :laugh:

Alrighty Paul! I will bring it to the YTRAP rally. We will mount it up on your ZRX before we hit the Richard Russell or Blood Mountain! :laugh:

650ed wrote:

Did you receive my PM? Regards, Ed

I don't know how to check PMs here yet but will check for one now.

Look on the upper right of the Web page when you're in the forum just underneath the login box. When you have a PM there will be an animated icon next to the text. Click it and you'll be there.

Welcome, and nice 650.

Forrest wrote:

I am going to take off the highway/crash bars and big ole back rest. My options are:

1) Restore to original condition;
-get saddle to stock form
-repaint and return grpahics to stock form

2) Go with some nice tasteful mods;
-new rear shocks and new front fork springs
-4 into 1 exhaust
-possible pods and rejetting.

I think you are on the right track with option 1. You might want to add replace tires, fluids, brake lines, brake shoes and pads to your list. Even though you found a really nice low mileage survivor, it looks to have the original Dungflop tires on it. 32 year old tires and brakes are a recipe for disaster. Even though your brakes will likely have much of the lining left, don't trust them. Over time the bonding adhesive fails so they are not to be trusted.

You are quite lucky in that whomever owned the bike before looks to have kept the engine covers polished nicely. That's always the part I dread the most when re-doing one of these old relics.

I have to agree with Timebomb, it isn't often that you run across a bike in that kind of shape. Adding a pipe and pods to it would be IMO a mistake. I've been around these KZ650's since they were brand new and trust me, if you can get that bike to perform as well now as it did when it was new and stock, you'll be one happy camper.

Russ Jackson wrote:

RIDE FORREST RIDE! Welcome to the site...Russ

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Welcome to the KZR Nation. Another '77 KZ650-B1... good stuff!

Dibes on the exhaust! :woohoo:

Best of success.

PS
Don't forget to add your year, model and location to your signature to get the best responses... and it's considered real friendly too. Although, judging by the current level of responses, it has not held you back much so far. :huh:

650ed wrote:

Did you receive my PM? Regards, Ed

Yes Ed, I figured it out and sent a reply. Thanks to Nate. And, Russ you may already be 2nd Dibs on that stock exhaust. If I decide to part out. Darn stock exhausts are popular here. We can't give our ZRX stockers away over on the ZRXOA! :lol:

The Gringo wrote:

I think you are on the right track with option 1. You might want to add replace tires, fluids, brake lines, brake shoes and pads to your list. Even though you found a really nice low mileage survivor, it looks to have the original Dungflop tires on it. 32 year old tires and brakes are a recipe for disaster. Even though your brakes will likely have much of the lining left, don't trust them. Over time the bonding adhesive fails so they are not to be trusted.

You are quite lucky in that whomever owned the bike before looks to have kept the engine covers polished nicely. That's always the part I dread the most when re-doing one of these old relics.

I have to agree with Timebomb, it isn't often that you run across a bike in that kind of shape. Adding a pipe and pods to it would be IMO a mistake. I've been around these KZ650's since they were brand new and trust me, if you can get that bike to perform as well now as it did when it was new and stock, you'll be one happy camper.

Thanks for the welcome and feedback Gringo. I am on the same page as you regarding tires and brakes. The front caliper is rather sticky. I will take your advice and look at the rear drum closely too. The tires are original Dunlops. No way am I taking those out on the road. What is a good replacement tire? I heard choiced are limited due to the 19"/18" setup. The engine covers are in good shape but still need proper cleaning and polishing. Open to suggestions there such as a link to a polishing thread. I am also considering a complete new carb and fuel petcock kits. The carbs and inside of the fuel tank could use a good cleaning. I noticed some kits on Ebay. Are they the way to go? $80+ on the carb kits and $20+ for the petcock kit. BTW, I am gonna wear out my welcome on the "New Members" area. Better get myself a thread started under the New Projects, eh? :lol:

for laguna seca track days they "say" no bikes allowed without factory exhuast....no headres!!!!!they are serious too...all the ritzy homeowners almost got bike days banned.......maybe hang onto that stock zrx pipe and see what the futures bring ...someday you may wish you still had it.......peace craig.....p.s i understand now you were referencing the 650 pipe....still i would never loose a stock pipe...garrage it.......my 2 cents...as i have none to track day with....Forrest wrote:

650ed wrote:

Did you receive my PM? Regards, Ed

Yes Ed, I figured it out and sent a reply. Thanks to Nate. And, Russ you may already be 2nd Dibs on that stock exhaust. If I decide to part out. Darn stock exhausts are popular here. We can't give our ZRX stockers away over on the ZRXOA! :lol:

I don't mean to jack this thread but since stock exhausts are so popular I have a set taken off of my 80 kz completely in great shape. Still have the black paint on ends painted on. What would someone be willing to trade for? The bike had less than 7k miles on it from California. Pipes have no rust on them. I was thinking of keeping them but I like the performance exhaust much better.