New Rider

Hey Everybody,

I've been using the information on this site for the past couple of weeks and just decided to join. I got my first street bike about a week ago and it just happens to be a 1978 KZ650 B2. 10,000 miles on it, and pretty much stock. It runs, but I'm in the process of doing all of the routine maintenance that has probably been neglected over the last decade or 2. (One of the the PO's did a good job of stripping or rounding the head off of about 20% of all bolts/screws on the bike, yay!)

No pictures yet, sorry

Looking forward to meeting everyone and hopefully getting help while I make some repairs!

hey welcome aboard......


if you can figure out how to do it...add your yr and make-model-ect..and even your genral location..to your signiture in your info like folks here have done..it shows on the bottom each time you post or reply..it will help folks to see what bike your working on and also let foks know if your in their neck of the woods.....welcome craig

nice! i just bought the same thing as my first bike a couple weeks ago, 78 kz650 in factory red. This one was running when I looked at it, but when I picked it up and brought it home a couple days later it would no longer run...so i spent some time troubleshooting and learning a LOT about this motorcycle. ended up bypassing the faulty kill switch/starter button assembly for now (until i can find a suitable replacement) and replacing the coils. runs good now, just some minor timing and fuel issues but i don't want to hijack your thread so i'll stop there. i have been lurking this site for a while too and decided to join today, i have found a lot of useful information...great site.

good luck sft

Welcome both of you new 650 owners.
You did right buying yourself a KZ/Z.
Warning though. They are addictive. lol

Welcome to both of you! RSTnick has it right...you have both been warned

Good choice! If you don't have one yet, you really should get a Kawasaki Factory Service Manual (not aftermarket like Clymers or Joe Deeeks). They are usually available on eBay; just be sure to get one that covers your specific year/model. THey not only tell you how to perfrom all the service/maintenence, etc. they also explain each system on the bike. Also, they give torque specs. If you don't have, you need to get a quality INCH/LB torque wrench and FOOT/LB torque wrench. Otherwise you will srip the threads in the aluminum engine. Get the manual first then buy torque wrenches that fit the torque specs in the manual. Good luck, Ed

Yeah, welcome to both of you. Plenty of KZer's with 650's around here and I'm one of em. And x2 on the factory manual, It'll pay for itself before you know it. Good luck!

Thanks for the welcome everyone. I've been looking for a factory service manual online without any luck, I already have the Clymer manual. Any suggestions?

sft1662 wrote:

Thanks for the welcome everyone. I've been looking for a factory service manual online without any luck, I already have the Clymer manual. Any suggestions?

Yes...look at this item on eBay 150425007608 Price may seem high but shipping is included.