Houston/Galveston Engine Rebuild Help

I am looking for a reputable buisness in the Galveston Houston area that will rebuild my kz 650 Engine and carbs for me. To include refinishing.

It is hard to find someone to work on these old bikes. It is easier to find a engine.

Try posting on Craigs list.

Keep bumping this post to the top we have some members in the Houston area. Roy

There are a few of us in the Greater Houston area that are members of KZRider. All of us do our own work...I am unaware of any local shops that will work on KZ bikes...

I am not mechanically inclined when it comes to rebuilding engines or carbs. Too many moving parts but I'm willing to learn. If can get the engine and carbs rebuilt I know it will have been done right vs. me tinkering with it and haveing doubt. I saw a red tanked KZ down here along the seawall in Galveston. It looked clean and sounded great. It was motivating at the least. This engine has under 4K miles which doesn't mean much considering it came from a family of Nazi's who also tried to sell me a monkey. I feel a need to use the stock engine vs. Buying another one.

If you have the proper Kawasaki shop manual for your 650, then you are part-way there on the rebuild...the manuals are terrific...what year and model 650 do you have?...and monkey can be excellent, if properly prepared

I live in Spring and do my own work. I have tried finding a good shop in the past but have been largely unsuccessful in that regard. I asked a few members of the local vintage bike group and they did suggest one shop. However when I called to inquire about boring a block he quoted me $100 per hole. When asked about the price to refurbish a head he hemmed and hawed and finally spit out $2000! Those sound like get lost prices to me, so I decided to move on down the road.

I have met the owner of Airline Cycles at a local group meeting. I don't know about his shops work, but Andre is a cool guy and he has a really killer CB550 that he built himself. His shop might be worth a call. He's into UJM's so he might actually care enough to do a good job for you.

local.yahoo.com/info-19071313-airline-motorcycle-center-houston click that link for a Yahoo local listing with his phone number.

If you are so inclined, here's a link to the local vintage club: www.bikesnob.com/ you could try and join then ask if anyone knows of a shop. They aren't super active but should be having monthly meetings now that the weather is nice.

What led you to believe your engine needs to be rebuilt after less than 4,000 miles? My KZ650 has about 52,000 miles and has never needed any engine work done. Did the PO blow it up or something? Ed

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testarossa wrote: ....However when I called to inquire about boring a block he quoted me $100 per hole. When asked about the price to refurbish a head he hemmed and hawed and finally spit out $2000!

Is that with or w/out the gold plated valve guides :woohoo:

I don't know if it really does need to be rebuilt but the exterior looks horrid. A mix of chipping,flaking paint, loose chrome and aluminum corrosion. I figured if the engine is off anyways I might as well have someone look at it and while there make improvements if any can be done cheaply. I read that the best way to clean an engine this corroded is to bead blast but to be careful to keep all grit out of the engine. Bought a blaster today and planned on starting blasting the frame but have been sidetracked due to my inability to get certain parts off the forks, frame, wheels, etc... It's a process.

all three were covered in SS tats and NLR "Nazi Low Rider" Tattoos. My roomate whos Jewish said they were herding him torwards the oven after he volunteered to see the monkeys. It's a great story best told over beers.

:sick: :pinch: :dry: These are the before and during pics