kz 650 b vs 650c

650ed wrote:

This is the book you need. It is dated April 20, 1976 and covers ONLY the 1977 KZ650B1 model. (The '77 B1 began production in 1976) Notice the seller's answer to the question he was asked - the seller doesn't know his arse from a hole in the ground. You can believe me on this as I own this exact manual and a couple other factory manuals.

Factory KZ650B1 Manual

Thanks for the good info. The manual print date also had me gunshy about it's applicability to 1977.

Here's the ebay item Q&A, where the seller (perhaps to his credit) was being overly cautious due to insufficient understanding about which models the manual actually covered.

Q: Does this manual cover all KZ650 years? I have a '77 kz650 (B1) do you know if it is covered? Thanks for the info.! May-16-09
A: Well, the date of print on this is 1976 (which would be up to the A model), so it precedes your 1977 B model. That being said, I'm sure that most aspects will apply, especially in the engine department.

Good Luck!

JMKZHI wrote:

The B models have the old timey wire spoked wheels.
The C models have mags.

Wire spoked wheels are quaint. Mag wheels are cool.

Were they really magnesium? I thought they were really cast aluminum as the ones on the SR are quite heavy.

Aluminum alloy, not magnesium. I think "mags" was being used generically.

N0NB wrote:

Were they really magnesium?

LOL - A common misconception. A few early race-car wheels were magnesium, that was until they discovered the wheels catch fire in an accident - and are EXTREMELY hard to extinguish - if you have ever seen magnesium burn you will know it is pretty impressive. So, they went to "magnesium alloy" wheels, which are an alloy of aluminum and magnesium - also very light and expensive, so for the common folk, the aluminum alloy wheel was born. This is what the majority of car and motorcycle wheels are. Mostly aluminum but with some alloying elements for strength and durability.

HTH

650ed wrote:

Aluminum alloy, not magnesium. I think "mags" was being used generically.

Yep. I guess I could've stated cast alloy wheels instead.

I've got a camping fire starter that's basically a block of magnesium. By the way, aluminum powder will burn as well. I believe it was a contributing factor in the Hindenburg disaster.

Thanks 650ed, I just want to spend money once for a manual and want to get the best for my money... Thanks to all who chimed in!

Yup, I've seen magnesium burn as it is part of the igniting powder of a Cad Weld which is an exothermic weld for bonding grounding conductors. It's an impressive display.

Referring to mag wheels belies a person's age as carbon fiber is the material de jur these days.