A first timer

I have been looking at fixer-uppers for the last few months and finally found my first project bike. A 1978 KZ650. I talked the wife into letting me take a look and was pretty excited at what great shape it was in. The PO told me bought it off a guy who rode it daily until he had kids. Then the bike sat in a garage for 15 yrs before selling it to the PO. The PO added new plugs, airbox hoses, points and condensers but said it would idle occasionally but was never able to get it to start up consistently. I decided to pull the trigger and hauled it home.

I gave it a once over with my limited knowledge about bikes and discovered that the petcock was set to off. I turned it to reserve and she fired right up with high RPMs and the choke on. I slowly closed the choke and the engine sputters out, but hearing the roar of the engine has got me hooked. I'm going to give this bike a thorough once over from head to toe and attempt to bring her back to life.

Also, the Engine (KZ650DE017289) and Frame (KZ650D-017100) numbers indicate that this is actually a 1979 KZ650(D2) SR, but the side panels don't have the SR emblem. The bike does have a full chrome headlight and crossover exhausts, so I'm a little confused there.

I look forward to learning a lot and getting her back on the road.

Here are some images:
imgur.com/a/qRFi5

Welcome. Mine isn't bone stock ether. I added all the goodies I wanted but couldn't afford them when I was younger.
Steve

Welcome, glad you got it fired up!

Welcome, sounds like you have a good base to work with. Many here will suggest that the easiest thing to do is buy a FSM (Field Service Manual) and complete ALL of the routine maintenance. It is a lot of work to do so but worth it in the end. Crete a signature with year make and model of your bike, it will help you get correct answers when you ask

We here at KZR love our bike porn so post lost of pics, here's how:

Welcome to the site.
I also have KZ650, mine's a '79, and I've never heard it run. Someday.
If the bike will run with choke, but won't idle after it warms up, it may just need the idle speed adjusted up.
But since it's been sitting so long, the carburetors are likely gummed up. Fuel additives like Seafoam can help to clean the carbs if they're not too bad off. If you try that, read the directions and don't overdose the gas. Good luck!
Tim

In 1979 I bought a new 650 SR that was Candy Persimmon red, I have yet to find another one.

Welcome. The 650s are great bikes.
If it hasn't been done (and sometimes even if it has) you should pull the carbs and clean them. I would almost guarantee the pilots are gummed up.

I was pulling the carbs and getting rid of the old gas in the tank yesterday when I realized that the original color of the bike was red. One of the POs must have painted over it with black.

If the pipes are in good shape...keep them...I mean, if you change the exhaust system, store the originals. The SR exhaust systems are getting rare. Nice save.