1977 KZ650 C1: Project Copperhead

So I got this kz650 about two weeks ago. This is how it looked the day I brought it home.




So far I have trimmed the electrical system using this:

, I just removed unnecessary wires to clean up the mess it was in. didn't go bare bones but there is no instrument cluster or turn signals, etc. Headlight, taillight, speedo, started all the ignition system remains.


I did surgery on the battery holder to squeeze in a bigger AGM



I am currently in the process of rebuilding the carbs. I just ordered some misc. items off of ebay, Royal Enfield Speedo and cable, new tank cap and gasket, a pair of 1986 Vulcan rear shocks, the carb rebuild kits and a rear fender. I am replacing the diy hardtail pipes with the Vulcan 900 springs, they are 11.5" but I am re-locating the mounts about 3" from where they are now (stock location). I have been cutting a few inches off the already shortened pipes and wrapping those in pipe wrap.



The engine is currently off the bike and is being painted, flat black and copper. I will post pics soon as fix my camera. the frames is being prepped for paint with the front forks and both rims about $200 and a month or two away from finished product. This 36 year old bike will soon be snnappin necks.
Let me know what you guys think and I
Will update when I can.

That's pretty BAD ASS!
Good luck

You may want to use the wiring diagram below. The one you show in your posting is not correct for the KZ650-C1. If you compare the 2 diagrams you'll notice the charging systems are very different. Ed

diagrams.kz650.info/wiring/images/KZ650-C1.jpg

Thanks Ed, I looked all over for the C1 wiring. I guess I did not look through the .info site good enough, that is where I got the diagram I had.

This is the first carb done, the other three are doing a dip and then they will be painted to match. Will post when the rack is reassembled; Used a Sigma 6 stage 3 kit and the new pods are on the way. In the process of cutting the pipes and fabricating my own 4 to 1 its a bit unconventional but from the mock ups it is keeping true to a rat rod

This is what I am shooting for, along the bottom of the bigger tube I will drill a pattern of 1/4 inch holes near the end of the bottom tube and weld a cap on the end of the tube.

Like this

The bearing for the worm gear had fallen out, when I dismantled the sprocket cover, the bearings went down a deep crack in my garage floor, so I need to replace the clutch lever.



Well the VN750 shocks did not fit so went back to the DIY hardtail bars for now, really needing a welder to finish this project, I still have to fabricate a gauge mount for the new vintage speedo and the rear fender to chop and re fit for the rear, I am thinking of using the front fender as the rear. Has Anyone done this and does it fit?

I have some 1 inch pipe to go hard-tail but have run short on cash and tools for right now.
MORE TO COME!

Looking at the left side of your engine makes me believe either the engine is from a later model (probably a 1978) or that the whole bike is not a C1 (maybe a C2).

Here's the dynamo cover on the 1977 models (notice the 3 allen screws):



Here it is on the 1978 models:

I just noticed that my bike is a 1978 C2 by the VIN kz650c-011865, but the motor is marked KZ650DE020218 Which is for a 1980 KZ650 E1. Does anyone know what Carbs were on the 80' kz650 E1?

Take a look at the link below. According to it engine #KZ650DE020218 would be from a 1979 KZ650-D2 (SR). That would also help explain why your bike had the SR criss-crossed pipes (although they were cut). That engine would have originally come with Mikuni VM24 carbs. The 1980 E1 engines began with serial number KZ650DE026001. Ed

models.kz650.info/index.htm