side covers?

Well I bought new side covers of ebay last month and I think the guys was wrong when he labeled them as a kz650. The are not the stock ones that have the rubber studs that pop into the frame. They just have holes for bolts. I was wondering if any other models will fit. I have a salvage yard near me and the guy has quite a few KZ650s but most are the SRs. I have a 1979 kz650c. Would any other size bikes fit like the ltd or a 750?

sound like aftermarket ones. I paid dearly for some OEM ones for my 1000 on ebay.

pollocksn wrote:

Well I bought new side covers of ebay last month and I think the guys was wrong when he labeled them as a kz650. The are not the stock ones that have the rubber studs that pop into the frame. They just have holes for bolts. I was wondering if any other models will fit. I have a salvage yard near me and the guy has quite a few KZ650s but most are the SRs. I have a 1979 kz650c. Would any other size bikes fit like the ltd or a 750?

One thing you have to look out for when buying sidecovers for a 650 is that because you have a C model and it has a rear master cylinder you have to make sure it has the little bumped out section on the bottom of the cover. I think that on the earlier 77's and 78's the covers on the B and C were the same but I know for sure the 79 B model cover does not have the necessary notch in it to clear the master cylinder. The left cover will fit no problem. Maybe someone with an earlier B model can confirm if it has the notch. I don't think the SR covers will fit. 750 covers will not work nor will 650 CSR covers.

The original right side cover on my '78 KZ650B2 has the "notch" in it to allow for the rear master cylinder.
I swapped over both master cylinders, front/rear brakes, wheels and swingarm from a '77 'C' model and everything fits and functions perfectly.

From what I've seen, ALL of the KZ650 B and C models ('77~'79) have the "notch" in them.

I'm goin with AR15Ron's take on them being aftermarket covers. Either that, or they're for a completely diff bike/model altogether.
When you can, post here what type of imprints (numbers, letters, symbols) are on the backside of the covers.
With that info, we might be able to figure out who made them (Kawi, Emgo, Maier, etc) and possibly what bike and model they're for. Pics would be a great help also.

RetroRiceRocketRider wrote:

The original right side cover on my '78 KZ650B2 has the "notch" in it to allow for the rear master cylinder.
I swapped over both master cylinders, front/rear brakes, wheels and swingarm from a '77 'C' model and everything fits and functions perfectly.

From what I've seen, ALL of the KZ650 B and C models ('77~'79) have the "notch" in them.

I wasn't sure about the 77 and 78 B models but starting in 79 they did away with the notch on the B models. I have a cover from my 79 B model that I tried to attach to my 77 C-1 and trust me it will not work. From the description I'd have to agree those are aftermarket side covers.

well thanks for the replies I will get some pics up tomorrow so you guys can see what I got.

dennis kirk has some after market side covers for around $30- 40 u.s., i had to cut off some plastic tabs to make em fit, but i'm happy with em. i spent quite a while searchin the local scrap yards to no avail, and i've found that used ones even in poor condition can be expensive, anyway the dennis kirk ones i got are on the bike in my profile pic

Post edited by: bsktlkkr, at: 2007/05/24 14:57

Well I took me long enough but here is a pic of the sidecovers

Here is one with the new seat and how the bike looks right now


Post edited by: KZCSI, at: 2007/06/02 16:38

Those look almost identical to the covers offered by Maier Mfg.
The only diffs I can see is that the KZ650 covers currently offered by Maier are black and the holes aren't drilled where the indentations are.
IIRC, the covers that had the holes drilled into them instead of having the posts on the back like the OEM covers had where for racing purposes - according to the rules at most/all tracks, stuff like that has to be securely fastened so it doesn't fall off and create a hazard for the other riders on the track.


Post edited by: RetroRiceRocketRider, at: 2007/06/02 13:56

ah well that is probably it then. These were painted grey before I sanded and primed them. The original plastic was black. You can tell the holes were drilled it later, they are not the prettiest. I dont really care its gonna be covered up by hardware anyway