DNel's '78 KZ650 Fighter Project

Revboyz wrote: The bike is looking good. Im in the process of getting my kz700 together for a similar project. Lots of good ideas.

Thanks!

Rode the bike for the last time today. Gorgeous clear skies, 70 degrees, and fall colors. Sounds cheesy, but it was by far my best ride. One last pic before she is torn apart this winter

last ride before teardown :ohmy: .........

keep us posted,

leon

531blackbanshee wrote: last ride before teardown :ohmy: .........

keep us posted,

leon

She's getting stripped to nothing but a frame. Gonna de-tab it, powder coat, refresh the motor (more fuel + more air = more go). Wanna keep it 650cc if I can. Pretty much restore the bike this winter.

Yanked off the carbs, and gave them a good cleaning in the media blaster

Before


After


This one shows the difference pretty well.


Dragging the motor out next where it will see the same treatment. I'm trying to find an overbore kit that's only .020 or so. I really don't wanna take it out to 700cc, but I will if there are no other options. If anyone has any insight on this please speak up!

Stay tuned!

DNel,

I'm living up in Canada, and the only piston kits I could get for my 78 650 were a stock size, or the Wiseco "Big Bore" 705 kit. If you can't find a smaller overbore kit, punching it out to a 705 is probably the best.

Made a little bit of progress today



She's all torn apart and ready for restoration. I'm gettin excited, but my bank account isn't.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Kind of at a stand still now with the engine. Cylinders look excellent, still have the cross hatch in them. I'm pretty sure I can get away with just a hone and re-ring. Was talking with APE about cams and head work, but they say I would absolutely need to bump up the compression (700cc kit). That opens a whole new can of worms, and a rather expensive can at that. So do I keep it 650 & stock, or just punch it to 810 and go nuts?

I was in roughly the same situation as you are now when I was building my bike up. Stock is always nice, but if you have the cash, it never hurts to really freshen the cylinders up with a bore. You'll run into some jetting fun if you punch it out to an 810, but it's worth it. Even with the 705 kit I have in my 650, it's a massive improvement.
The deciding factor here: how much can you safely afford to drop into the bike?

Feel somewhat ignorant after today. I've been searching far and wide for .020 pistons with no luck. It dawned on me today to check OEM parts, and sure enough Kawasaki still has an active part # for .020 & .040 pistons @ $70 a slug. I'm a happy camper!

Good find on the .020's! I couldn't get those up here in Canada

I just had that issue with my Dyna S. The guys at Dynatek are awesome to deal with. Not sure what they can do if you don't have a receipt. I thought it was a coil but it turned out to be the ignition. The new one they sent has different magnets on it as though the went with neodymium magnets. Works awesome now though. I would call the tech support number though. Email took 3 weeks to respond. it will take 20-30 minutes of hold time but they do get the job done.