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Good evening guys and gals.

I am a happy new member of the forum.
I recently bought a 1978 kz650b that hadn't ran for at least 20 years and 2 previous owners. I bought it as my 1st motorcycle ever (not even having a motorcycle drivers license yet). The purpose being to learn to wrench on engines and cruise around in beautiful British Columbia. 
From what I understand it would be a 1978 kz650b2 but i can't find one online looking like mine (color and font for the kawasaki letters on the tank). Not sure if someone would have an explanation? (I'll post pictures when I figure out how to)

 
 

Welcome to KZRider Marge !!!
Plenty of helpful members here that are 650 pro's
Dave

Welcome from the UK, that has cleaned up really nicely 

Marge 1988,

You can check the frame and engine numbers here to determine year and model. www.kzrider.com/filebase?task=download.s...id=1178&catid=64&m=0

With bikes this old, it is altogether possible that some previous owner changed the tank and bodywork, or repainted it for some reason. No matter, you have a good looking ride there.

Welcome from the UK. 
You won't find pics of your paint colour badge combo they have been changed from stock. Question is why, preference or necessity? Might want to get a magnet and check for any filler. 
This Web site gives details of what was original to your bike.
jarlef.no/Kawasaki/Series/Z/650/z650b.htm
 

Verify the vin first. A motorcycle mfgd in 1978 could be a 79 model.
I believe the lower case letters on the engine cover would make it a 79 B3.

jarlef z650 >> jarlef.no/Kawasaki/Series/Z/650/z650b.htm

KZ650.Info >> www.kz650.info/About.htm .... the forums are gone but I think most of the technical info is still available, stuff like wiring diagrams.

Welcome from another BC member!  I live near Kamloops.  Where are you?

As other have said first welcome to the forum. Second the frame number should be stamped on the neck of the frame and they should be a white sticker in the same location that lists the date (month and year) of manufacture and the frame number. I have added a table I built that lists to the best of my knowledge the frame and engine numbers for the (K)Z650s. There are some things on your bike that would indicate it looks more like a 1979 model than a 1978 model.  The lower case names on tank and engine side cover, 2 bolt front foot pegs are the ones I noticed. The color is not one that I am aware was offered on any of the 650s stock. 
Find the frame number, compare it to the table below and let us know where it falls within the range.

By the way it is a good looking machine.

Welcome to our corner of the motorcycle world.  You'll find this is a great place to learn about your KZ650. Suggest you get a Kawasaki factory service manual for your year and model motorcycle (once the members help you figure out what you've got). They are usually available from booksellers on Ebay or Amazon for reasonable prices.  And you're already posting pictures - we love pictures of bikes!   

Scotty

I am located in Castlegar 

Thanks everyone for the advices.

after looking at the frame number and engine number I understand that it is indeed a 1979 kz650b3 (from Japan according to the table) despite having been built in 08/1978.

She is really looking great for her age. bought a new battery and spark plugs, adjusted the points according to the manual (pages found online, i wanna buy the paper service manual but haven't got to it yet). It started easily but some headers weren't getting as hot as others. After a carb clean she's now purring like a cougar! 
next step is ordering new tires, new keys for the ignition (the key I got with the bike kinda turns with a lot of fiddling and some force so i am suspecting that it might not even be the right one).
I also need a headlight (I'll probably go the LED route, Apologies to the purists) and blinkers. At some point in time it had a fairing but one of the owners kept it so it is missing the lights. 
I also need to try to get it registered in BC because it was previously an Alberta bike and didn't come with a registration just a bill of sale

 

By Marge1988:  ... it is indeed a 1979 kz650b3 (from Japan according to the table) despite having been built in 08/1978....

That's normal, as with any vehicle.  Some of the 79 models were made in the 2nd half of 1978 & the rest were made
in the actual model year, 1979.