W1 650

hardrockminer
Topic Author
Offline
Sustaining Member
Posts: 2996
Thanks: 1094

W1 650

30 Nov 2022 13:36

This was the Kawasaki that preceded the Z1. It was copied off the BSA 650 and was essential for Kawasaki to develop the knowledge to build later bikes. It occurred to me that it would be a real challenge to restore one. Does anyone know when I might find one in decent condition?

I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Wookie58
Offline
Moderator
Posts: 4465
Thanks: 2613

Re: W1 650

30 Nov 2022 14:18

#877368

Sounds like a great project, good luck in your search

1982 KZ1000 Ltd
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/617631...-82-begins?start=192
kzrider.com/filebase-alias?view=download...d-fault-diagnosis&ca

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

hugo
Offline
Sustaining Member
'92 Zephyr 750
Posts: 281
Thanks: 72

Re: W1 650

30 Nov 2022 14:33 - 30 Nov 2022 14:36

#877371

The bike was actually a Meguro T2, essentially a copy of the BSA, ...and Meguro, the oldest Japanese motorcycle brand, was acquired by Kawasaki, an industrial giant, in 1964.

Personally, I think the best deal was engineer Ben Inamura from Meguro, who actually was the chief engineer for the Z1 903cc....and later on for the Z650. Does not answer your question, but it is a bit of trivia.

Last edit: 30 Nov 2022 14:36 by hugo.

The following user(s) said Thank You: ThatGPzGuy, Nessism, Nerdy, BCScott

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

hardrockminer
Topic Author
Offline
Sustaining Member
Posts: 2996
Thanks: 1094

Re: W1 650

01 Dec 2022 14:53

#877400

So Wheelhop found on in Indianapolis, but it looks to be in very fine condition...pretty much a show bike from what I can see. I think it's a Saturday afternoon project bike. It would only take an afternoon to clean it!

I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Wheelhop
Offline
Sustaining Member
Posts: 523
Thanks: 306

Re: W1 650

01 Dec 2022 15:47

#877403

Yeah, looks pretty clean. Not sure, maybe you are looking for more of a project bike, but hope it works out for you.

1978 KZ 1000B (73 tribute)
1977 KZ1000 project
1976 KZ 900
1976 KV 75
1976 Honda Elsinore MT250
1974 Z1 900 project
1971 Honda CT70
2000 ZRX 1100

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Nerdy
Away
Sustaining Member
Posts: 1043
Thanks: 403

Re: W1 650

01 Dec 2022 18:53

#877405

There's a new listing on eBay but it might be a little more of a project than you want...

To be fair, however, it is listed as a "parts bike".

~~1979 KZ400~~ Gifted to a couple of nephews
1967 Yamaha YCS1 Bonanza
1980 KZ440B
1981 Yamaha XT250H
1981 KZ440 LTD project bike
1981 GPz550
2013 Yamaha FZ6R

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

hardrockminer
Topic Author
Offline
Sustaining Member
Posts: 2996
Thanks: 1094

Re: W1 650

01 Dec 2022 18:53

#877406

Thanks for the tip. Yes, I'm looking for a fixer upper.

I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Nerdy
Away
Sustaining Member
Posts: 1043
Thanks: 403

Re: W1 650

01 Dec 2022 18:58

#877407

You would need to fix that one WAY up.

~~1979 KZ400~~ Gifted to a couple of nephews
1967 Yamaha YCS1 Bonanza
1980 KZ440B
1981 Yamaha XT250H
1981 KZ440 LTD project bike
1981 GPz550
2013 Yamaha FZ6R

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

krazee1
Offline
User
Posts: 360
Thanks: 199

Re: W1 650

02 Dec 2022 14:24

#877428

HRM, we need to talk! Interested in a trip to Nebraska?

Mike

Former M.E. at Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing, Lincoln, NE
1966 W1 (the Z1 of 1966-50H.P. and 100mph!)
1974 Z1
1978 KZ1000 LTD
1976 KZ900B pile O parts
1980 KZ750E
1980 Honda XL250S (I know, wrong flavor!)

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

hardrockminer
Topic Author
Offline
Sustaining Member
Posts: 2996
Thanks: 1094

Re: W1 650

02 Dec 2022 16:08

#877429

Unable to travel. Hip replacement two weeks ago.

I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Nessism
Offline
Sustaining Member
Posts: 7539
Thanks: 2901

Re: W1 650

02 Dec 2022 16:31

#877430

U-Ship

Ed
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/61807...-o-ring-kits?start=0

www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know

1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

krazee1
Offline
User
Posts: 360
Thanks: 199

Re: W1 650

02 Dec 2022 19:03

#877434

wrote:

Unable to travel. Hip replacement two weeks ago.

I'm in no hurry Sir! I have a "cosmetically challenged" running/riding W1 that I assembled from my parts stash in 2020, along with enough parts to come pretty close to putting another together. I'll work on trying to post some photos, I'm working with a new computer, so my old arse has to learn all over again!

Mike

Former M.E. at Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing, Lincoln, NE
1966 W1 (the Z1 of 1966-50H.P. and 100mph!)
1974 Z1
1978 KZ1000 LTD
1976 KZ900B pile O parts
1980 KZ750E
1980 Honda XL250S (I know, wrong flavor!)

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.