Should I get it?

I've wanted a KZ650 for a while now since my friend had one for sale last year. I ended up not getting his. There's a 77 C1 for sale locally for $250, but the engine is frozen up. That is the one with duel front disk, rear disk, and alloy wheels, correct? If it's in good condition, is it worth $250, or is that still too high for an old bike with a frozen engine? Also, is it hard to find KZ650 engines, and how much do they usually run? Thanks for your help. I'm really hoping to be on a KZ650 by mid-summer.

On a side note, I have a 79 CX500 Custom for sale if anyone's interested. It's not a show bike but not terrible, and only has 5000mi on it. It was the bike I learned on and has been super reliable but being a young guy, I'd like something a little more sporty (the KZ).

Jeremy

i dont know anything about those cx's. are they just a 500 cc twin? shaft or chain? how much are you looking for. as for your kz dilemma, it sounds like you already have your mind made up. i wouldnt think a 650 engine would be too hard to come by, especially with the community you have right here. plus, with a seized engine, you can yank that one out and get a seven fifty engine plugged in there with little hassle.

as long as that title is clean though.

aha! hopefully youve seen this?

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/78-Kawasaki-KZ65...3A1318#ht_500wt_1061

grab it 250 is cheap even if the motor doesn't turn over then look around for another 650 motor or upgrade to the 750 engine or better yet another bike that runs and you will have plenty of parts for it and what you don't use you can sell to recoup some of your costs hey and for now you can sit on it and varroom noises.

What all is involved in putting a 750 engine in a 77 650? How much power increase would I have and what is the gas mileage like on the 750s? Now you've really got me thinking...

As for my CX, it's a transverse V-twin shaft driven bike. They're torquey which makes them pretty quick for a 500, water cooled, and reliable. 55mpg, 50 if you're having some fun. Due to the low mileage of mine, I'm asking 900obo. I'm guessing I'll end up putting it on craigslist to get what I want for it. I doubt most people with a sportier KZ are looking for a cruiser-ish honda.

This Isn't mine, but a clean shiney version of what it looks like. monkeyads.com/proofs/_46923_77628.jpg

Jeremy

youve got my interest on that cx. only problems i see is you living in wisconsin, and how hard it would be to work on that thing. a coworker at a previous job had one, same year i think, since it was brand new. rode it on the interstate, no problems. 900, huh. hmmm.

Well who'd have thought. I didn't expect anyone to actually care about a CX around here. I rode mine several times last year to visit my girlfriend ~hour away on the hwy. It is a good bike, but just not what I want right now. Maybe when I'm older (no offence to you old guys:P). How far are you from WI? And like I said, it's no show bike and actually I planned on cleaning it up before I officially posted it for sale anywhere. It just spent it's first winter out of a garage and developed some rust spots on the chrome header pipes and fenders. I think it's surface rust that will come right off with fine steel wool, but I haven't messed with it so I don't know. It also has white fade marks on the tank where it looks like someone did a crappy wax job and sun faded or something and spray painted side covers. Lastly,it has ~3"seam split on the passenger 1/2 of the seat. If you're not Too far and wanted it as is before I clean it up, I'd let it go for a little bit less to save myself the work. I'll get some pics this weekend if you're interested. I guess I'll be racking up some hours on here anyway looking into this 750 idea.

So I was just looking at some numbers and I'm seeing that the 750 is actually ~negative 5-9hp from the 650. Now I'm confused. Is this correct, and if so, why? And why would someone swap a 750 motor into their 650? Wouldn't it add weight and be slower? ...Unless there's a significant torque advantage to the 750.

EDIT: Nevermind. I see you have to go forward a few years to find the 750-4s with more power.

I had a CX500 back in high school, only got it running once, but boy did it go. From what I remember, 850.00 in the mid-late 90s would get a decent runner so for inflation and rarity 900.00 probably isn't too bad. If it only has 5K on the clock that is even better. I keep thinking about getting another, but until I'm done with my current bike I'm forbidden to start another.

Good luck with the 650, they are fun bikes and handle fairly well, considering they are 30 years old. I'm planning to swap a 750 in for my 650 so I'll let you know how it goes.

It is pretty quick for a 500, I think due to the torque. It does pretty well with my dads yamaha xs650 (I believe that's what his is). The CX gets better gas mileage, though, and I can go through town without having to shift out of 5th with no lugging if I keep it above ~26mph.

I actually just found someone on craigslist selling the parts I need for my car for exactly what I'd like to get for my bike and leave $200 to buy that KZ. Hopefully I can get rid of this CX quick and get on the KZ before it's gone And fix my car. I'll have to shoot some pics of the CX tomorrow.

The more I ponder on this KZ the more I want it. It's the exact model I want with the alloy wheels, front and rear disk, and tail piece. Supposedly it's been kept inside and is in good shape other than the frozen engine. Perfect for what I'd want and a 750 swap. It would be such a great project and lots of fun to work on and ride, and keep me entertained. The CX was more of just a press the start button and sit on it while you go where you're going kinda bike. Great reliable starter bike, but kinda boring. The KZs seem to have lots of room for personalizing, project-ability, and sound way more fun to ride.

bad news kz650, it looks like i wont have any cash immediately. if your bike runs, and runs well, id raise the price on it to at least 1200 and OBO it. theres tons of cx going for that much around here, some of them stating they need things still. take that into mind, since its riding season now and some people, myself included, are scrambling to hit the streets late. im sorry i couldnt come through on nabbing your cx. i am partial to speed myself, so maybe its just as well that im not disappointed.