1977 KZ650C, but has wire wheels, drum rear, etc

So I'm looking at this 1977 "KZ650C", or so it says on the title. However this bike has wire wheels, front brake caliper front of the forks, drum brake rear, round front brake resi....

Forgive me because im very new, but this seems off to me.

Ideas?

The 1977 C1 did come with cast wheels, dual disks in front and a single disk in back. The front calipers were behind the forks.

Since the bike is about 40 years old there is no telling what changes have been made to it over the years. The frame may be a C1 frame, but all the other parts maybe from a B model.

The only B model that had the single front caliper in front of the forks was the 1977 B1. All the other B's had it behind the forks. All of the B's came with wire wheels, single disk in front (other than in some European markets where duels were required) and a drum in the rear.

Is a true B1 bike desireable or sought after moreso than a custom or later B model?

Personally I like the C better as it has better brakes and alloy wheels. What is the VIN of the bike in question? If the VIN stamped in the steering neck begins with "KZ650C-" followed by a 6 position numeric the bike's frame at least began life as a "C" model. Otherwise, it did not. If the frame is from a KZ650-C and the wheels, brakes, etc. have been changed I would be concerned as to why (big wreck?) and whether or not the person making the changes got everything right. I suspect you will find it in fact is not a KZ650-C. Here's what a KZ650-C1 looks like (he says with pride. :laugh: ) Ed

I think a B model or any 70s 650 for that matter will be valuable only if it's in mint condition... or something close to mint. But you'd probably still have a hard time getting much more than $2500 for one. I could be off some, but not by too much. Personally, the C model is my favorite 650.

You can check your frame & engine numbers at the following site to verify what bike it is.
jarlef z650

Well she's mine! It's a b1 bike for sure. Side plates are off a 'custom' model. Bike looks solid, minimal rust on the seat pan and some surface stuff on the headers. Now I'm going into too much detail...I'll save that for my intro/project thread.

Congrats! Here's some info you may find helpful as you work on the bike. Ed

kzrider.com/forum/10-new-members/589649-...r-savannah-ga#594587