Officially a kz rider today.

Last year in August I picked up a barn fresh 77 kz650 b1 for $500. Getting back up and running has been a challenge, running well has been even more challenging. Today was a huge day. I picked up the carb rack from the shop rebuilding/rejetting them got them installed and it's running the best it ever has. I got the bike insured, titled, plates, and I passed the learners permit test. I got home and took it for our maiden voyage, officially becoming a kz rider! I'm grinnin big!

Congrats!!

congrats man great news

Congrats Mullineaux! Best feeling in the world to be able to ride after all the hard work. Consider participating in the KZRider relay once you getting a few shake down rides under your belt.

I can hear your grinning from here! Ed

Yeah, I'm 36yo and was raised to fear motorcycles. Originally I was nervous about riding, but after all the work I've done on this bike that all evaporated. From the paperwork we found with the bike, it hadn't been used since 1982 (7100 orig miles!). My brother in law and I replaced the starter, rear brake, brake linkage, and exhaust (with an aftermarket 750 specter 4-2). I got the front brake working, installed the electric ignition from a '81 kz650, and wired up the coil power mod. Had the tank cleaned, lined, and sandblasted and rattle canned the tank and plastic flat black. Also replaced hoses, gaskets, grommets, removed the airbox and put pods on. The carb rebuild/rejet was to address a hanging rpm problem and not running without choke which it did very well. It feels like it's been a long road with this bike and riding it was a blast, I can't wait to do it again. I still have some minor stuff to do, and get new tires, but I'm definitely out of the woods.

Because this was a barn bike it had no title, just a bill of sale, and lemme tell you, the 30min it took to do the theft check made me one nervous guy; while I was taking the permit test!

Today has been one hell of a good day.

Welcome to z-jungle!
No reason to fear motorcycles,a good respect for them is whats required.

You are one lucky man. I still cant get my bike running. haha Congrats tho. Can't wait to have that same grin on my face.

Make changing the tires with a new set a priority. Next to brakes, they are your biggest safety equipment. Doesn't matter how good he old ones look. If they are older than 5 years they most likely have deteriorated and are not safe. You can find some good quality but inexpensive sets out there. I installed set of Kenda on mine. Good quality for the price for normal cruising.

welcome to the world of KZ lovers..there's nothing like the feeling of on old school KZ and the wind in your face..ride safe..

Changing tires is a huge priority, the ones on it are at least 29 years old and while there's no signs of weather checking or dry rot, they are hard as rocks. I might be able to get new shoes tomorrow, I have to make some phone calls. My maiden voyage was only six miles and much of that was large loops in a parking lot. All of it was 25mph or less and in this part of Michigan everything is flat and straight. But yeah, new tires and tubes are at the top of the list.

Congrats man. What part of Michigan ? I'm in Rochester. Just picked up a 78 kz650.