Do inexpensive rebuild parts even exist?

It's getting time to re-ring my '78 650, and the head gasket at the dealer is 94 dollars, and the rings are over 250.00.

I saw a wiseco kit on ebay and that was 498 for 4 pistons and rings.

I thought motorcycling was supposed to be economical. . .

Go to Z1 Enterprises and get aftermarket parts. OEM gaskets are waaay overpriced.

Rings for the four-hole engines are pricey. Rebuild gasket sets are available, quality is iffy.

Ive heard of some counterfeit gaskets going around on Ebay, so i'd stick with a reputable place like Z-1, they should have everything you will need...

I don't know what model KZ650 you have, or if you need oversize rings, but I would check eBay for NOS Genuine Kawasaki parts. (First check Kawasaki.com to know what part numbers you need) You'd be surprised at the deal you can sometimes find. I bought a set of NOS standard size genuine Kaw rings (for all 4 cylinders) for just $25 in case I need them in the future. Here are some head gaskets, some are genuine Kaw, for a couple different KZ650 models:

KZ650 Head Gaskets

Z1 Enterprises for practically everything.

I've gotten so much @$#^%! from flea-bay that was just cleaned up, I can't go there anymore.

Flea-bay is ok, for the most part. But for my time and money, and MY ENGINES - MY BABIES. Everything new. Period.

For all the gaskets except the head, just use liquid gasket maker.

www.z1enterprises.com/

Peace.

650 std rings are damn near noexistant, I would suggest that you take it apart first and measure everything, chance are you will need to bore it out and go to oversized pistons, which are aval in kits.
I have learned the hard way CHEAP is not always the best way to go, fix it once and right the first time

BSKZ650 wrote:

650 std rings are damn near noexistant, I would suggest that you take it apart first and measure everything, chance are you will need to bore it out and go to oversized pistons, which are aval in kits.
I have learned the hard way CHEAP is not always the best way to go, fix it once and right the first time

...what he said...

I went to Z1. . .and got confused / frustrated and I gave up after about 15 minutes.

"Parts by make"

"Kawasaki"

"small fours"

"Kz650"

"Kz650-D1A 1978"

so far so good, right?

"engine"
Cam chain guides, dampers, pistons, rings, clutch, shims, etc

no pistons listed

Do a search for "piston"

no pistons for 650

Do a search for "piston ring"

no rings for 650

The site needs work. . .sorry

KaZooCruiser wrote:

I thought motorcycling was supposed to be economical. . .

:woohoo: :laugh: :woohoo: :laugh: :woohoo: :laugh:

Economical? As opposed to a moon mission it is. Economical is working on it yourself as opposed to getting a shop to do it. A Z1 is economical as opposed to going the same distance in a Z28.

As was said you will prob need to get a kit as the stk. rings are becoming unobtanium. And as for Z1Enterprises call them.

i have over 8,000 into my 1393 big block and all i have done with it is make 15 or so dyno run's and three drag strip passes and buddy it was worth every penny because it was intense and once i get the cylinder studs to keep from pulling out of the cases, i'd spend another 8 grand on it again because it is that much of a rush building and riding something that you built with your own two hand's and going quicker than you have ever gone before what a rush.

Call them at Z1enterprises. They are friendly and very helpful. Just push option 2. ask for Jeff or Rob.

I don't order over the computer. I just call. Roy