Deciding on a UJM, all created equal?

So I've got this wild hair that I'm going to buy and restore/modify a UJM bike. Until recently I was looking at an 82 CB900F. That specific bike has since sold so I have been exploring other options.

I know this is a KZ board, and certain, oh, biases :silly: come into play...but are all UJMs created nearly equally?

Parts availability is most important, I would assume.

I'm asking for opinions from seasoned hobbyists that know a heck of a lot more than I do about these bikes at this point.

A huge THANK YOU in advance to the members that may help my journey to creating a build thread!

PS, I was led here by a KZ650 that is for sale locally . The same price I was going to pay for the CB900.

By the way the 650 is a 1977 if that matters.

Also will I have to type in a CAPTCHA every time I post?? It seems that 49/50 of these are IMPOSSIBLE to read lol.

Might want to look at the bike and make sure the most important stuff is there. Seat tank etc. finding replacements for some of them is difficult if not near impossible.

Case in point i had a 78 gs750 that i couldnt find a seat for at all.

Now, kzs are popular and parts ARE available pretty easily

Oh yeah the KZ650 has everything there, it is running! LOL it has a new battery, coils, plugs, fresh oil, just seems to needs the carbs tweaked because although it runs it runs rough.

Do the carbs on these bikes have a hard time running well with pod filters like the Honda CB's do?

Hard part is getting over brand loyalty garbage. I'm a Honda cheerleader :woohoo:

If you removed the airbox and installed pods without rejetting the bike will run like crap (if it runs at all). Do a search on this site using the word "pods." You'll find thousands of postings on the subject. If you plan to keep pods on it be prepared to become a carb guru. :laugh: Ed

There is ample on-line support and aftermarket parts available for medium to big bore (650cc and up) Kawasaki, Honda, and Suzuki motorcycles. Can't speak for the older Yamaha's, but there doesn't seem to be the fan-base for them. Although I concentrate on Kawasaki motorcycles, I could just as easily fall into Honda's or Suzuki's. A nice CB900F would have been nice, though...

650ed wrote: If you removed the airbox and installed pods without rejetting the bike will run like crap (if it runs at all). Do a search on this site using the word "pods." You'll find thousands of postings on the subject. If you plan to keep pods on it be prepared to become a carb guru. :laugh: Ed

Ahh I am no stranger to carb tuning. I haven't touched one in 5 years but I still have dreams (nightmares) about working with them

It seems this specific bike will idle just fine but anything above that is a stumble.

Sounds like a fun weekend to me! :evil:

My buddy has a nice 83 Suzuki GS 850, but getting parts for that is like night and day compared to the Z1 / KZ.

I think these bikes are just about the easiest to maintain due to availability.

chconger wrote: My buddy has a nice 83 Suzuki GS 850, but getting parts for that is like night and day compared to the Z1 / KZ.

I think these bikes are just about the easiest to maintain due to availability.

That's because all the Suzuki spare parts were used up long ago just trying to keep those bikes running. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Ed

Are the B1's a good bike to get into?

Yes. The KZ650-B1 is the 1977 model (some were build in late 1976) and they are excellent bikes. They use the same engine es the KZ650-C1. I've owned my C1 since new (April 1977) and it has been incredibly reliable. I have more than 55k miles on it and have never had any engine work done, the cylinder head, exhaust system, etc. have never been removed for any work. Of course, mine is still a baby compared to RONKZ650 - he put more than 160,000 miles on his and it still runs. The primary differences between the C1 and B1 are the C1's alloy wheels and triple disk brakes, The B1 has single disk up front, drum in the rear, and wire wheels. Other than that the paint is different but the body parts are the same, and the C1 has a hazard light switch (big deal). To give you some idea as to their reliability - the first year the KZ650 was introduced Kawasaki took a B1 to Daytona and blew away all the 750cc world AMA/FIM world records using a stock engine, frame etc. That record remained until 8 years later when a Suzuki GSXR (that of course actually WAS 750cc not 650 like the KZ) broke it. I for one don;t think all UJM's are created equal, but having owned mine for 37 years I may be just a touch biased. :laugh: Ed

Here's a link to the Daytona video. www.kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/590222-kz...na-1977-video#598346