KZ Experts ! Worth buying these two cheap parts bikes for spares?

A fellow has two older KZ400 parts bikes for sale. Asking $650 for both but given that they have been there a while he is negotiable.

My 1979 KZ650 needs some parts including a headlight bezel, MC and a few other small bits.

Worth my time to pickup these two bikes for say $500 ? Enough compatible parts for me to use?

Here is the link:

www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/237306...face=product_details

Thanks in advance!

Yes, to me anyway, because I'd like a KZ400 project. I would offer less in person with cash in hand to see what he says.

edit: but not for 650 stuff. didn't see that part. doh.

Are you sure those parts interchange between your 650 and those 400s?

[strike]As you can see at the link below, Kawasaki offered three different 650 models in 1979, the Custom, the SR, and the standard. If you click on the link for your model, and th[/strike]e click on the part number of a part you need, you will see a fitment chart listing the other models that use that exact part.

I see now in your signature line that you have a B2. That would be a 1978 model, not a 1979. As you can see in the link below, the front master cylinder for a 650B2 was used on several other models, but not on any KZ400. (The KH400 is a different critter.)

www.partzilla.com/product/kawasaki/43015...731ecad49de27beda452

TexasKZ wrote: Are you sure those parts interchange between your 650 and those 400s?

Exactly! KZ650 and KZ400 bikes are VERY different! Ed

My KZ650 is a bit of a mystery to me. The frame sticker says 06/78 and it has the spoke wheels too. The papers that go with it (same VIN# mind you) show it as a KZ750 1979

I have to assume that someone made a mistake ages ago at the local Quebec DMV and it was never corrected.

I do know that major parts like frame, carbs, pipes, seat etc are not at all the same but I thought that smaller items might actually work. That or a blend the two KZ400 into one working machine.

Ninja1195 wrote: My KZ650 is a bit of a mystery to me. The frame sticker says 06/78 and it has the spoke wheels too. The papers that go with it (same VIN# mind you) show it as a KZ750 1979 .

I really do not understand why you find the bike a mystery. All you need to do is look at the steering stem neck. There you will find a model number/VIN stamped into the steering stem neck. That is the real, original model of the bike regardless of what a piece of paper says. Ed

I just figured that like say my Ford truck, that the manufacture date may not always be the true date. My 2012 Ford body sticker say 11/11 so I guess that it was made in late 2011 and sold as a 2012 model?

Did the same not apply to Kawasaki?

To my knowledge every manufacturer of normal cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc. naturally begins production of the model year vehicle prior to January of the model year. Otherwise they would have nothing to sell on January 1 or so of the model year. Take a look at the web site below. It shows the frame numbers and engine numbers of the various years of KZ650 bikes. Ed

models.kz650.info/index.htm

Here is a pic of my frame and engine numbers. My bike has factory original luminous red paint which makes it even more odd no?

Appears to be a1979 B3... have no ideas were you get anything to do with a 750

I've been collecting Z1 parts for a few years as potential replacements when my bikes need them. I have most of the big stuff, including a tank, side covers, tail piece, forks, barrels exhaust...well pretty much everything except a head. Most of the parts came used and abused and I rebuilt them. But they sit on shelves slowly deteriorating and seldom used. I think I would have been better off just going to ebay for stuff when I need it, or accumulating things for a specific project if I had one in mind. The only stuff I use frequently are screws, nuts and bolts and rubber bits and pieces. I would have a heck of a lot more room, and a lot more money in my pocket if I got rid of all that stuff. I've been thinking about it for a while now.

So my advice is to not buy "spares" unless you know you're going to use them.