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Hi
I joined a few weeks ago and forgot to introduce myself to you all, thanks for allowing me to join the forum, I've just bought a 1978 Z650 B1 in Green off a friend who had owned for 40 odd yrs it's a time warp bike, original everything Inc the seat, the bike needs some tlc and so am going through it, it really needs new rims and spokes ect which I have will replace come winter, he also had a new tank in the same green, never been used, and a new seat which I have bought so all in all very pleased.

Welcome aboard! We need pictures! Also, before you use a screwdriver on anything on the bike you need to be aware that the screws that look like Phillips are NOT Phillips; they are Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) and using a Phillips screwdriver on them will damage them bigtime. JIS drivers are very easy to make, so if you need more info on JIS drivers just ask and I can provide. Ed

Hi thanks for that, what's the the process for loading pics ect. Cheers

In the USA a 650-B1 would be a 77 model.
To add pics I upload them to an image hosting site & use Imgur.com. There are other sites, but probably the worst is photobucket.
If uploading from your computer. Click attachments. click add files. after choosing a photo, click the "Insert" button below the pic or "Insert All". Then click submit post. I think failing to click insert is where most problems arise.

As martin_csr said, there is no such thing as a 1978 KZ650-B1. The B1 is a 1977 KZ650 model, the B2 is the 1978 KZ650 model. Look at the images below. If your bike's generator cover has 3 allen bolts as circled in red in the photo it is a 1977 KZ650. If it does not have those 3 allen bolts but if it still retains all upper case KAWASAKI letters it is a 1978 KZ650. If it has upper and lower case letters it (or the generator cover) is a later model. Ed

1977


1978

Btw, nice PhotoShop job on the engine cover. I just noticed it after all these years.

Oops got it wrong, its a B2 in Green, it has the cover with uppercase script, manual fuel tap, front of forks caliper and manual tensioner.

Welcome. please share some pictures.

Mikaw wrote: Welcome. please share some pictures.

For sure pictures would help. If the front brake caliper is in front of the forks the forks are from a 1977 KZ650B1 (see image below). That was the only year and KZ650 model that had the caliper in front of the fork. Also, green was not one of the colors offered on the 1978 KZ650-B2. It was offered on the 1977 KZ650-B1. Pictures would help us identify the year of the bike and/or engine. Ed

1977 KZ650-B1


1978 KZ650-B2

Hi my generator has the 3 screws on the cover, so I was think the DVLA has issued the wrong year, the bike has never been resprayed and the previous owner bought this bike in 1980,the only upgrade on it is a pair of girling rear gas shocks fitted 1980.

So if the generator has the 3 screws the engine is a 1977. One way to check the bike's actual model year is to compare the VIN that is stamped on the steering stem neck to the info in the link below. That VIN is the frame number. The engine number, which will be different than the VIN, is stamped on the engine near the oil filler cap. Ed

models.kz650.info/index.htm