KZ650 B2 revitalization project

I finally rode this thing home about ten miles in 32 deg.between snow flurries , there is something to say about wind shields , but it had to go.

The guy that sold it to me said it was a 79 in the ad but when I saw it something wasn't right and it turns out that boatdrinks was right, it's a 78 B2

The bike is very dirty and it looks like very little maintenance has been performed on her although it has a good battery ,new air filter, front tire and it looks like the fork seals have been replaced based on the new looking dust covers.

None of the screw heads are stripped and the tool pouch has all the candy including the feeler gauge and looked like it was never removed, most of the wrenches still have their inspection stickers on them

This will be a total strip down to the chassis.
We will clean and repaint the frame and all the black parts.

All new bearings, cables, hoses,brake shoes , fluids,shocks, carb kits, ect....

The original paint on the body parts actually look pretty good for being 35 years old so I think it will stay.

Chain looks good for now .

There is an area on the tank by the badge that brake fluid has done it's magic and a dent right next it but I am going to see if I can repair it, I don't think it should be a problem.
The inside of the tank looks beautiful

So far so good.

JD



64 Honda Dream in the back ground with 14,500 miles on it, getting it running for a friend after sitting since 83


The tool kit

Nice! Don't lose that feeler gauge; you and I may have the last 2 on Earth! Ed

Nice grab. I bet that paint will buff out and be really nice.

What's with the auto cam chain adjuster are they problematic ?
Can they be replaced with a manual one ?

Your KZ650-B2 should already have the manual type; that was the stock tensioner. They work just fine. If you follow the instructions in the Kawasaki Service Manual it describes how to adjust the cam chain tension using the tensioner. You must turn the crankshaft to a specific position (not difficult) then loosen the tensioner locknut and pinch bolt. The spring inside the tensioner will then move the rod applying tension to the cam chain. Then you tighten the pinch bolt and locknut so the rod cannot move back and you are good to go.

The later automatic tensioners require no manual intervention like that described above. They use a spring and wedge deal to constantly keep tension on the cam chain, but unlike the manual type they can develop problems in which the rod moves back resulting in improper cam chain tension. Ed

And so it is I've been reading a lot about the 650 lately and I got confused :blush:

Great news though one less thing, thanks Ed

Cleaning the engine looks like it might be fairly easy considering how filthy it is.

After cleaning up the 1000 last year I decided to use WD-40 as a solvent and scrubbing with a scotch Brite pad on a stick as my primary attack

The A2A's engine was very dirty and rusty and I started out using Simple Green with scrub brushes but I don't think I was getting it all off and it almost seamed like it was rusting more. :huh:

Then I decided to try WD-40 as a cutting lube with the Scotch brite and the engine seemed to really drink up the WD then the grime started coming off.

This engine is different, it is dirty and "greasy" but is still coming clean quickly using the WD

WTF ........ :ohmy:

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I saw that in the photo and was wondering if some one was going to say something,

The Vetter didn't come off easy

Honestly I used the blunt end against the stick to tap the turn signals off , I swear

My son came over this weekend and we got busy tearing her down .

He really got into it and I was enjoying explaining everything as we went along.

We ran out of time before we could get to the front forks but the engine is out and sprayed down with WD-40 and will keep until he can get back, he's doing the scrubbing on that filthy pig.

In the mean time I'll get started on the carbs.

The 650 engine should be a lot easier to clean than my 1000, it seems like they eliminated a lot of the tight, hard to get spots plus most of the grime is melting away .

I don't think that this bike was ever kept out side like mine was.
I lived in a lot of apartments back then.

Zach with his bike


A very dirty bird

Let the fun begin, good luck!

Cleaned and polished the engine a bit,mostly the easy stuff just to show him what it will look like after all the hard work he will be putting into her.
especially around that sprocket area :sick:

Looking good so far!!