KZ650 with RC Pro Stock on side covers

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KZ650 with RC Pro Stock on side covers

03 Jun 2024 06:39
#900155
Many moons ago (2006) a member mentioned owning a KZ650 with the words RC Pro Stock on the side cover. I own one exactly like it.  Bike was black with what appeared hand painted pin stripes very well done. Chrome RC header and the saddle was low profile none like I’ve never seen on a KZ650. It fit the bike perfectly and even had the usual labels on stock seats. Was there a limited run on this specific bike?  Any input much appreciated. 
 

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  • Wookie58
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Re: KZ650 with RC Pro Stock on side covers

03 Jun 2024 07:59
#900164
Do you have any pictures
 

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Re: KZ650 with RC Pro Stock on side covers

03 Jun 2024 08:40
#900166
Currently no
Owned for years and just pulled out of storage 
Getting her ready for the road once again 

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Re: KZ650 with RC Pro Stock on side covers

03 Jun 2024 09:48
#900167
It may have been done aftermarket.  The RC may be RC Engineering. I've seen some of their old ads.

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Re: KZ650 with RC Pro Stock on side covers

03 Jun 2024 10:26
#900169
It appears the member who posted the topic back in 2006 has not logged on with that user name (puckaveli) since Feb 3 2012 so I doubt you will get a response from them. I will say I have never seen or heard of RC Pro Stock labels on the side covers before now. Not saying that means they never did exist, as I certainly do not claim to know all there is to know regarding (K)Z650s.  Once you get your machine pulled out of storage post some pics, as I for one would like to see what it looks like.
1977 KZ650 B1
Pods and Denco header


OLD KAW OWNERS SMILE ALOT

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Re: KZ650 with RC Pro Stock on side covers

04 Jun 2024 05:52
#900209
No doubt the bike is aftermarket 
Pulling the tank the tunnel shows the bike was originally blue. I’m just curious what dealer or origin was producing these aftermarket KZ650
And the orange hand painted R C Pro Stock on side cover. Painted black someone did a handsome job pin striping the tank. 

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Re: KZ650 with RC Pro Stock on side covers

04 Jun 2024 06:56 - 04 Jun 2024 07:19
#900212
No doubt the bike is aftermarket 
Pulling the tank the tunnel shows the bike was originally blue. I’m just curious what dealer or origin was producing these aftermarket KZ650
And the orange hand painted R C Pro Stock on side cover. Painted black someone did a handsome job pin striping the tank. 



 
It did not work like that as far as vintage Japanese bikes, nothing like the car world special build houses. No Kawasaki 650 was ever done up like that from a dealership. Some previous owner had it done to match the RC pipe or whatever else they had done to the engine after they bought it. Is it "aftermarket" yes, I attached a picture of what a stock one looks like below as it would have sat in a Kawasaki dealership.



Usually you would order or purchase the stock bike from the dealership. If you wanted aftermarket parts you could purchase them and have the dealership mechanics install those parts before you took ownership. Very rarely would the dealership repaint the bodywork, that would be done at a outside shop.

RC and other companies were making aftermarket parts for the 650 but it was mostly exhausts, cams, piston kits. A lot of those company's no longer exist and there are very few aftermarket parts still available.

RC did more with Honda's then they ever did with Kawasaki's.
 
1978 KZ650B2 w 1197cc Z1 engine
1977 KZ650B1 w 750cc Spectre engine
1979 KZ650C3 w 831cc Hot Rod engine
1978 KZ650C2 w 762cc DFI project
1977 KZ650C1 stock restoration project
1978 KZ650B2 modified project
1978 KZ650B2 Injected Drag 831cc
1980 Z1 Custom Frame Drag 1327cc
1981 Z50R Honda tow bike
Last edit: 04 Jun 2024 07:19 by Injected. Reason: pic

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Re: KZ650 with RC Pro Stock on side covers

04 Jun 2024 07:27
#900214
I undoubtedly agree
but the fact that another rider had one identical just has me intrigued 

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Re: KZ650 with RC Pro Stock on side covers

04 Jun 2024 07:53 - 04 Jun 2024 08:03
#900217
I undoubtedly agree
but the fact that another rider had one identical just has me intrigued 
Any chance it's the same bike?  The world is small sometimes...

Story...one of my other hobbies is playing golf and golf clubmaking.  I bought a set of graphite iron shafts that were all scratched up, so I broke out some leftover paint used to paint a Kawasaki EX500 fairing, and used that on the shafts to make them presentable again.  Some time later, I sold the clubs on ebay.  A couple of years later, a guy posts on the GolfWRX.com forum inquiring about a special set of shafts he had, with a custom paint job.  My old shafts!  What's the chances?  Bigger than one may think...
Last edit: 04 Jun 2024 08:03 by Nessism.
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Re: KZ650 with RC Pro Stock on side covers

04 Jun 2024 08:19
#900218
I was just recently thinking the same thing. 
Then I remembered he had to trash his 4 into 1 because it was bent. 
This exhaust is in perfect condition 

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Re: KZ650 with RC Pro Stock on side covers

04 Jun 2024 10:01
#900219

It did not work like that as far as vintage Japanese bikes, nothing like the car world special build houses. No Kawasaki 650 was ever done up like that from a dealership.
 


The only exception to that I can think of is the Z1R-TC, where an independent company added the turbo kit and paint, but it was then sold through Kawasaki dealers.
'78 Z1-R in blue , '78 Z1-R in black, '78 Z1-R in pieces
My dad's '74 Z1
'00 ZRX1100

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Re: KZ650 with RC Pro Stock on side covers

04 Jun 2024 11:18
#900223

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