1981 KZ 650H1 CSR Pods or box air filter?

"fairly low-end bikes back in '81"

Just so ya know, when the KZ650 was introduced (airbox & all) in 1976 it was, in the hands of a pro, the 3rd fastest 1/4 mile bike in production behind the big Kawasaki and the Suzuki 750. Fairly low-end in terms of price compared to the British bikes, Harleys, etc. but not low end in performance. Compared to modern bikes it's no rocket, but in its day it commanded respect. If you get yours performing up to stock specs I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised. Ed

You might find this original road test interesting:

www.kz650.info/articles/documents/KZ650%...World%20Roadtest.pdf

1977 KZ650 World Records (they set a bunch more in later years)

I suppose you are right about that. They aren't low-end on performance and aren't bad bikes. I guess I should also clarify what my goal with this bike is... I want it to resemble a cruiser, run smooth and have whatever power it is capable of. I am not trying to get some performance street bike out of it... I have strong (mostly negative opinions) on street bikes, crotch rockets and (most) of the people that ride them. I just want a nice bike to ride around on that I can mess with and chop up a bit... which I feel a lot of people on here will hate me for since this is a KZ site people seem (understandably so) really focused on these bikes as they are, stock and OEM and all that haha... but yeah I doubt I will end up going with the pods. I will probably just get a nice K&N in the box. I am having a hard enough time getting the carbs apart to clean them. Are the screws on these bikes notoriously crappy? Because almost every screw holding the middle two carbs onto the bracket won't turn and just strips out the metal til I have a lovely circle I have to drill out.

Nobody going to hate you unless you were going to make a chopper out of a Z1. Then maybe a few would then come a huntin' you. But we will always be giving you opinions whether asked for or not. Not sure if we all expect you to heed them tho. As for the screws get some PB Blaster and soak everything in sight. Or at least the day before you are going to be removing something. Also remember antiseize for galling bolts.

Alright so no witch hunts for me then! Thanks for the PB Blaster tip, I wish I would have thought of that sooner before I drilled out this one little SOB of a screw! It's an easily replacaeable one at least...

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I'm a big Kroil fan. It really works! Ed

.

Kroil can be ordered from various places. One is Kano Labs (the Kroil manufacturer), another is Midway. I bought the Kroil 1/2 pint (8 oz.) can - $8.00 ea. from Kano Labs (it's about half way down the page inthe 1st link below) and I believe the 1 can will last my lifetime. I haven't tried the aerosol, but the regular 1/2 pint can has a built in spout that let's you put the stuff right of the nut/threads.

secure.concentric.com/kanolabs.com/orders/order.shtml

www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnu...CompListing-_-137203

Geese I like PB Blaster. Hafta try Kroil if I can find some. I like WD as a cleaner.

Does anyone have an airbox for a 1981 csr for sale? I bought a bike that already had pods and it runs like shit and I wanna go back to the airbox but ebay only has a few for sale and they are all trashed or more than 100$

Thanks
Ryan

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationYou can use the airbox from an 81-83 KZ650-CSR. The 650-CSR airbox is embossed with KZ750E/H, so you can use one from a KZ750E or KZ750H Ltd. Some 750-4 airboxes have holes in the bottom where tubing grommets are supposed to be fitted, but you can just plug those holes.

EB search = KZ750 airbox. A number of airboxes are listed. other searches may yield more results.
This one appears to be dirty, but there isn't any obvious damage. I always ask questions when unsure of the condition.

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EB search = KZ750 air cleaner.
Item #183616232416. >> has model embossing in 2nd pic. The 650-CSR airbox is the same.

note: the 81 650-CSR ducts for VM24 carburetors are unique to the model, but they are NLA. 750-4 ducts can be used, but you have to add donuts fashioned from radiator hose to make up the difference where they connect to the carburetors. use good ss band clamps.

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