Project update to '78 KZ650

underside of seat

here's how it stood as of last week

Thanks for looking everyone!

OuttaTime wrote:

another

$12.95 clamps...for the custom look:silly:

Where do ya find them for $12.95?!?

kztee, about an hour south of my town is Indianapolis and a shop called Cycle Re-Cycle. That's where I've been able to find a lot of used parts for my project. The tank, side covers, tail, rear m/cyl, I found there as well.

I was wrong about the price. I actually paid 10 bucks for them because they were opened...so not much of a bargain really when their site sells them for 11.95.

Hey Outa Time, Great job on the restore. Your bike is really shaping up. I am picking up a 77' KZ650B this weekend. I am very interested in what you have been doing. New to this board and will be trying to bring back a bone stock B model. The good news is the bike has only 1,746 miles. The bad news is the tank was replaced and the second owner repainted everything a darker green than original. I need to get some info on original paint and graphics for that particular year. One more item, the stock seat was swapped for one of those cushy two-up barcalounger style saddles. I want to get back to an original saddle like yours as well. Do I contact that shop in Indy for assistance on a seat redo and paint/graphics matching? Please help hook this newbie brother up.

Again great job on your project.

She's comming along nicely.

Forrest, you can check out the stock model colours here:
www.kz650.info/
jarle.eltelevest.no/Kawasaki/Series/Z/650/z650.htm

And decals may be available from: Reproduction Decals .

Your bike is going to look better than new when you done! Great work so far!!

Where do ya find them for $12.95?!?

I see those headlight ears on ebay all the time for that price.

Forrest, thanks for kind words!

I found someone far away from me for the seat...Oregon...but probably your local auto upholstery shop can hook you up. Let me know and will dig up the guy's info. for ya!

Z1900, better than new! Thanks, you're too kind! I am definitely going for better than when I bought it from the PO:lol: The biggest change for me is the rear. The rear swingarm was stretched 4" and it weighed a ton! I just prefer the stock length so much more which raised the rear a little.

Yeah, those headlight ears have been around for a while...cheap but effective!!

Still have the rear arm? I'm building a '79 ATP turbo bike in the very near future and it probably would help to keep the front end down.

rstnick wrote:

She's comming along nicely.

Forrest, you can check out the stock model colours here:
www.kz650.info/
jarle.eltelevest.no/Kawasaki/Series/Z/650/z650.htm

And decals may be available from: Reproduction Decals .

Thanks nick! will do.

OuttaTime wrote:

Forrest, thanks for kind words!

I found someone far away from me for the seat...Oregon...but probably your local auto upholstery shop can hook you up. Let me know and will dig up the guy's info. for ya!

You are more than welcome Ed. Thanks for the info. I'll let you know if I run into any problems on the saddle. BTW, mind if I dibs your tank? :laugh: It is just about the right graphics and color for my 77. Again, really great effort and results.