Hello fellow KZ Riders

Welcome to KZr Derail!

Judging from looks alone, it appears that all your bike needs is a new rear tire and a headlight(?) to be road worthy.
Then add on the side covers and missing tank badges/emblems, and she'll be a right pretty bike!

So, what's the history on your "new to you" bike?
Rescued from someones garage/barn/yard?
Purchased from a friend?

If it has been sitting for some time, I'd suggest using the search function here. It will lead you to lots of valuable info in several threads on bringing a bike out of storage or getting a neglected bike running again.

N0NB wrote:

Derail wrote:

My ser# on the engine is KZ650b-01---- so I assume it's a B1. Thanks for all you help!

Welcome, Derail (another railroader I assume?)

One can't tell directly from the serial number exactly what model the bike is beyond a B, C, D, etc. The only way to determine the exactly model range is to determine which range the factory shows your serial number to fall into. For example, the B2A begins at frame number KZ650B-032200, the B3 begins at KZ650B-046201, etc.

The C, D, E, and F models have their own ranges, presumably starting with frame number 000001 as my manual shows the E and F models do.

In 1981 model year all the VIN numbers changed to the ISO 17 digit ones now in use. This is why services like CarFAX can only search VIN records back to 1981.

On the steering head there should be a plastic sticker that has the VIN printed on it. It will also have the month and year of manufacture on it as well. The VIN is stamped into the steering head itself, but not the manufacture date. My 1979 650 SR shows a manufacture date of 10/78. Most likely, production runs for a given year began in September or October of the previous year.

HTH

- Nate >>

Hey there Nate, you assume correctly, I work for CPR as a conductor. Thanks for clarifying this for me. I know for sure that it is a B1.

Mike

Post edited by: derail, at: 2006/04/09 21:01

Welcome aboard Derail!
You've come to the right place to get the info and advice you might seek for your new project.
Enjoy the ride.

RetroRiceRocketRider wrote:

Welcome to KZr Derail!

Judging from looks alone, it appears that all your bike needs is a new rear tire and a headlight(?) to be road worthy.
Then add on the side covers and missing tank badges/emblems, and she'll be a right pretty bike!

So, what's the history on your "new to you" bike?
Rescued from someones garage/barn/yard?
Purchased from a friend?

If it has been sitting for some time, I'd suggest using the search function here. It will lead you to lots of valuable info in several threads on bringing a bike out of storage or getting a neglected bike running again.

Well, I don't have too much history on it, I know the previous owner laid it down last simmer (hence the broken headlight). The frame has been inspected and measured so everything is straight adn balanced. there are some electical issues I need to work out, such as headlights keep burning out after 10 min and the signal light system. The tank and rear fender were spray painted a silver/grey color...so that needs to be stripped and re-painted. Lot's of work to do, Gas has been kind enough to send me a pile of doc's to help me through me quest. Also judging by the welcome I have received here, I'm sure that if I get stuck someone will be there with some helpful advice!

Derail wrote:

Hey there Nate, you assume correctly, I work for CPR as a conductor. Thanks for clarifying this for me. I know for sure that it is a B1.

Mike

Very well! I work as a telecom tech (radios, computers, phones, etc.) for UPRR.

Is there a story behind 'derail'? :whistle: :evil:

- Nate >>

Post edited by: n0nb, at: 2006/04/10 23:12