TOPIC:

Hey,
I just picked up running 1978 kz650sr, planning on restoring it and moving toward a scrambler-type build. here's a list of some of the work i've done so far:
- un-seized rear brake brake caliper
- cleaned the carburetors, new gaskets and jets
- air filter
- spark plugs
- oil and filter change

Future plans:
- upgrade to dyna-s electronic ignition
- m-unit
- knobby tires, moto bars, some black paint for the wheels and fork legs, mini speedo

this is my first KZ and first vintage bike, i will have a lot of questions as i go on. This is a great website and resource and i'm excited to join the community!
cheers

Welcome.
That's a nice SR!
I like the shade of blue.
May even be original.
Give her a good going over, checking everything in the maintenance chart from a service manual.

That's a gorgeous  bike.  Sorry you're gonna modify it cuz it looks cool as is, unlike my 81 650 CSR that's dumpy.  That I plan to make look more like yours.

Have you ever ridden on a wet road with knobby tires ? 

He plans to put knobby tires on a KZ650? Now that's funny!  Not smart, but funny.       Ed

wrote:

Have you ever ridden on a wet road with knobby tires ? 

Got that tee shirt. Hodaka Super Rat on fairly fresh asphalt, in the rain. Might as well have been on ice without the spikes! I can only imagine how much more unwieldy a significantly heavier bike like a KZ650 would be 

Man, you guys are haters. 

Welcome to the forum koalabear. Lots of helpful info and generally helpful members. Personally I'd keep your bike as close to stock as possible parts-wise - or at least keep what you take off - people pay more for unmodified bikes and it's nice to give people a fresh template if you ever sell your bike. 

I see a lot of "scrambler" and "bobber" KZs for sale for like 3k that never sell, so. Just saying. 

I'm no hater mate, just asking a simple question. I've ridden a hell of a lot of motorcycles in my 40+ years on the road and I can tell you, Knobbies are not for road bikes, they are a seriously ridiculous decision for a relatively large road bike, especially if you plan on riding it as it was intended... If you have to include suspension and tires as part of the "look", he'd be better off going for a dual sport tire, they have far better grip than knobbies... It pains me that in 2021 i'd need to explain that to anyone considering the amount of information at everyone's finger tips today...

No hate intended, just sharing my experience.
I understand that the look is important, but I think it is equally important for a newbie to understand the consequences before plowing ahead. Modern dual sport tires have amazing capabilities, though without the knobby look.

Welcome Koala!  I recently acquired a 650 SR and am rebuilding it slowly.  These were the tires the PO had purchased for the bike.  The rims were painted black but he had painted without cleaning them so I stripped the paint off and cleaned them up.  I also acquired a nice set of spoke rims that he had also painted without cleaning, including the spokes.  I stripped them and was going to use them on this build but I do a fair bit of gravel roads so I think I'll try the tires in the photo.