TOPIC:

RobertPatrick77 wrote: I plan on riding it.. and i live in a bad area for hard tails.. I found out with my last two bikes.

So why hardtail it? Ed

They do look pretty good "bobbed" with sporty shocks. Find some 10.5-11" rears that may get you Close to the "stance" that you are looking for

By 650ed: So why hardtail it?

Crazy, ain't it. ..

If I had a 77 650, here's what I'd do. probably kind of expensive but the 70s KZs are pretty.
I would never ever cut off the rear of one of those frames >> the ducktail is cool.


...

That's a really nice KZ650! Ed

RobertPatrick77 wrote: I plan on riding it.. and i live in a bad area for hard tails.. I found out with my last two bikes. maybe i should consider this. I trust the up right tube to hold it together. The last bike i had was a death machine, it was the worst ride i ever had.. but worth it when i hit smooth.. it let's you know when to slow down.. sometimes unexpectedly!

And what makes you think this hardtail is going to ride any better on the bad roads, It's a HARDTAIL. Thats why most people who like to actually ride prefer bikes with suspensions. And judging by the that picture I am going to presume that hardtail conversion is butt welded to the the original frame. Yeah there is no way I would ride that.

I made up my mind. I don't think this is the right bike to chop. I need something to cruise on in two months, comfortably and affordably. Can't bring it back to it's original state but, absolutely keeping it retro. Thanks for the input.

cool forum.

If you are really loving the hard tail look, I think it would be cool to design and build one like the HD Softail. It would have the suspension well hidden for the look, but stil be a pleasure to ride, even on the sometimes unexpected rough patch.
It would be really tough to pull off in two months unless you have no job or family.

Hey, just bought a 77 z650 project bike.
Do the frame looks right here. whats missing ?

Someone cut that frame; it did not leave the Kawasaki factory in that condition. Notice that there is no frame cross member anywhere near the top of the shocks - bad idea since that means the top of the shocks can move left and right. Ed

Hmm, need to find the welder, and find out what to do with this bike.

In addition to the frame cross-bracing repair, you should also replace the rear brake shoes if their age is unknown. The adhesive that binds the linings to the shoes can fail over time, so a lining can break loose then get jammed between the shoe & drum, locking the rear wheel. It happened to me, so it does happen. Mine looked very good, so you can't tell by looking at them.

....