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Just purchased my 2nd bike ever, a KZ 650. The first being my Dad's original '72 360 Enduro. Been having a blast working and playing on this vintage bike, so I just had to have another one.

It has been less than a week. Had trouble keeping it running after starting, racing on choke and wouldn't take any throttle till very warm. AND just had my first ever flat on the front while riding around the neighborhood working out the adjustment issues!

Welcome Jay.
Nice looking bikes.

Did your 650 come with the individual pod filters, or did you put them on?
Wonder if the carbs were rejetted for them.

Welcome aboard Jay! Very nice looking bike? Is is as great shape as it looks in the picture? If the engine is racing on you I would check for air leaks at the boots between the carbs and the head. Spray some carb cleaner around them while its running and see if there is any change in the rpm. It was good you got the flat at low speeds instead of the highway. Since you got the flat, might as well purchase a new set of tires so you have a matching set. That is best for safety. The tires on there may be older than 5 years old anyhow. You can get a nice set of Kenda's for about $120 shipped. Then just a matter of having them mounted. Have fun. Good luck.

Welcome - good choice of bikes

Thanks guys for the compliments. rstnick, a PO put on the pods. He actually did a lot of work, with some very nice upgrades; as far as I can tell. Below is a list of the things he had done.

I played some more with starting it, and it is getting better; taking less time to take throttle. It was way out of adjustment on the idle screw. Still has the flat though.

Start point
29,800 miles
top end rebuilt
upgraded to dynatec coils and dynatec electronic ignition
new tires front and back, fresh paint job within the year.
4 into 1 exhaust.
4 K&N air filter pods.

First updates
Updated turn signals
Updated (rounded) break light.
Breaks bled & new Kevlar break line.
Oil change
Plate bracket eliminated.

Drag bars
Café Fairing
New grips
Bar end mirrors
Fork “pre-load” spacer & thick oil.

December 2011 updates

New throttle & clutch cables
Hot Rod pipe wrap
New fork seals.
Progressive fork springs.
Black powder coated fork lowers
Black fork covers “gaters”
Progressive rear shocks.
Modern break master cylinder and grippy break pads
New EBC breaks shoes
New battery
Louder horn
Pirelli Sport Demon tires
General Inspection & maintenance.
Frame paint touchup

HI KZ Jay, Check with the previous owner to see if he put larger jets in the carbs. I also have a 1980 E. I had to put 17.5 idle and 112.5 mains in it. Runs like a dream. Good luck and welcome. Bob

Welcome aboard.

It looks like you'll be doing a bit a of learning getting it sorted. Once you do get it sorted, hang on!

Welcome KZ-Jay.

First welcome to the fun.

Second, if that is a 1980 E or LTD model, then the tank, side covers, and tail have been added from a B,C or F model. If they have not been changed then I would guess it is a F model. It is a nice looking machine you have either way. Now continue to fix that which needs fixing and enjoy the riding.

I believe the PO said it was an E or F. Can't remember. What are the differences?

You could compare the E & F models over at the jarlef z650 site.
It's probably an F1, which has an 18" Rr wheel & a ducktail. Those also have black meter covers & headlight shell and a black plastic chain guard. The Ltd has a 16" Rr & no cowl over the tail light & more chrome.

Since there have been some changes made to the bike, it's kinda hard to say for sure. You could check over at CycleChaos.com to see if the engine & frame numbers shed any light on what it is. I don't think the VIN lookup at Kawasaki.com will recognize yours; it only works w 17-digit vins.

The frame # stamped on the neck will have a letter in it that will indicate what the frame began its life as.

example
KZ650Bxxxxxx = B model
KZ650Cxxxxxx = C model
KZ650Dxxxxxx = D model
KZ650Exxxxxx = E model
KZ650Fxxxxxx = F model
JKAWZEHxxxxxx = H model