New KZ Rider from Arizona with a '78

Hey everyone! New KZ owner here from Arizona. Not just my first KZ, but my first bike altogether.

I Picked this up today, 1978 Kawasaki KZ650. This thing is in beautiful shape (albeit the paint does have a few defects), runs like a champ too. I figured this would be a great first bike. Bulletproof, super cheap, and enough power to keep myself entertained but not kill myself with. It's pretty dirty in the pictures, haven't even cleaned it yet lol. I've been too busy cruising up and down my street heh. I can already see myself never driving my car anymore.



Current plans are to learn how to ride the damn thing, as I go I'll be tinkering around with it a bit. It's already got some cafe racer style bars to give it a more aggressive riding position and I think I'm going to stick with that theme, going to keep it looking classic like it should (at least for the most part).

Things to do -

-Get rid of most of the chrome ASAP (I dislike chrome anything)
-Get rid of the single gauge since it only has MPH and mileage and I'd like a tach. A friend of mine in Chicago works with carbon fiber so Im going to see if he can fab up a gauge pod for me.
-Going to try to retrofit some HIDs.
-New LED brakelight and turn signals. Not a fan of the ones that are on it, not to mention they don't light up until the brakes are depressed a good bit. This can probably be adjusted but I havent even looked at it that much yet haha.
-Suspension much further down the line. The stock stuff is still in good shape but I'd like to stiffen it up a bit eventually.
-Paint. Thinking honda midori green with the factory correct pinstriping/graphics, but this will probably change 15 times before I actually paint it.

Welcome to the insanity!
Lots of riders in the valley and we get to ride all year long!

welcome nice score

just remember its not the power of the bike that kills its usually the power of the vehicle that turns in front of you, beside you, over you

Welcome KZAZ.
Nice find you've got there.
Have fun, and ride safely.

Welcome new rider. Always watch out for the Idiot on a cell, and never ride with out a helmet. There are too many bad drivers out there.

Welcome!

Always nice to see another 650 on the forum. 78 was a damn good year.
Agree with you on some of those changes! It looks good now, but will look great with some of those changes.

If you can find a copy someplace, Proficient Motorcycling was a pretty good book in my mind, and I read through a handful when I started riding.

www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorcycling-U...id=1335684730&sr=1-7

Probably worth a read if this is your first bike, and you want to get ahead on avoiding idiot cage drivers.

Cheers, and good luck with the project!

Jon

Thanks for the welcome guys! I'm loving the bike so far, driving around the neighborhood has never been so fun lol, still just getting the basics down on it. It is running a bit rougher now, feels like it's missing slightly, but that's a question for another section heh.

where in AZ is everyone? Not to highjack but I'm in the Tempe area and it'd be cool to meet some of yous guys with KZ's. I just got a 79 KZ650 that i'm making some modifications to and love to meet some bros that know what they are doing.....cuz I don't.

I'm out in Gilbert, my bike should be coming together within the next two weeks, I chose the Cafe approach as well. I have an unused set of drag bars if you want them, they will put your controls level (just got some clip-ons.)

I always liked that KZ650...LTD tank right?
Welcome. So how hot is it in Arizona? Im in Texas and they are predicting 104 degrees Wednesday uff. our humidity sucks. :evil:

Just saw that the OP has this bike for sale on CL

phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/mcy/3232562076.html

That's too bad, they seemed really excited. Weather hasn't been too bad lately, between 100 and 108 the last few weeks with monsoons.

Welcome aboard! A few of us here, myself included, did a full incandescent bulb swap- LED gauge backlights, turn signals, indicator lights, and tail light; as well as a HID headlight. I've been very pleased.

Also, make no mistake, an old 650 will kill you just as easily as a 200 hp Ducati. Always wear a helmet, gloves and jacket, take a MSF safety class, and expect that no one sees you.