The Perfect KZ....

So, I'm curious to hear opinions and thoughts on choice of bike.

I am currently waiting to hear back from a seller on and 78 KZ650.. (fingers crossed!)

But there is also a 77KZ650 relatively nearby. Only caveat is that is the CSR model. Now, I'm not crazy picky, but I have I'm not over fond of the SR look. From what I've picked up here, it would be a fairly simple matter to do some fairly simple mods (spoked wheels, new seat etc...)to get it to look like the standard model, and go from there. Plus, the slight advantage of having the twin discs up front and such. (Is there a spoked twin rotor wheel that will fit? I don't know the entirety of the models well enough, it seems to me that a KZ900 front should probly do the job, but I'm unsure of year range...)

Prices and condition are similar, milage on the 78 is much lower, but it will require new rubber/brake cylinder rebuild/new pipe eventually...

Any thoughts in general on the difference between the two? Or what might all consider when going for a look etc...

Jon

Links for the curious: Please don't buy them out from under me!

toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/mcy/1680085351.html

stcatharines.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-m...s-W0QQAdIdZ196798855

Worth noting that bike #2 is NOT mint, but is very clean, small hole in exhaust, but its a cheap anyway, also paint is black primer, but good work and ready for final coat. (never seen the 77 in person)

Well I have a 77C but out of the two I'd go with the 78. The 77 650 has a one year only charging system and the 78 and later are easier to get parts for the charging system. I don't think it's all that easy to convert an SR/CSR to a standard. I'm not sure but I think you can remove a cover on the front wheel and add a second disc and the forks have the mount for the caliber there already.

Well after looking at the adds the 77 is a Custom not a CSR. It just has a CSR/SR seat. It looks like an 18 inch rear wheel.

Mark

I don't know crap about 650's, but looking at the two ads, I'd talk the guy down a bit and take the 77. You get a spare (rebuildable) engine and an aftermarket 4:1 header, plus the bike. But the 78 does look cleaner. It's your call buddy

There's not such animal as a 1977 KZ650 CSR. The '77 appears to be a KZ650-C1, also know as a "Custom." Both bikes have been monkeyed with quite a bit. The guy with the '78 has a strange definition of "mint." That bike has been painted (poorly) has a different exhaust, different seat, the airbox is missing, the engine has been tampered with, etc. The fact that he brags "Original rear tire even." shows he's a nitwit. That's one of the very few things original about the bike and it's something that definitely needs to be replaced. The '77 has it's own condition issues, but at least the seller sounds like he's laying the cards on the table by describing the facts as he knows them.

Both bikes are overpriced and I'm betting either one is going to need some TLC. Personnaly, I'm partial to the '77 because of the better brakes and wheels (the crappy seat on the bike for sale can be easily replaced), but I own a '77 KZ650-C1 so I am biased. Pick either one and offer 1/3 less than the asking price. Ed

If you are looking for a bike of roughly that size, i would hold out for a 750. There is a big difference, and the possibilities are greater for cheaper.

Here is a running pseudo racebike for you in your area...

toronto.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAdLargeImage?AdI...back=-5&ImageIndex=0

There is also a 650 CSR that has 11000kms in Ottawa for 1650$...those bikes you showed are a lot of money...

Yeah, I realize my blunder there, regarding models. It was late and I was clearly not paying enough attention to model history.

All good advice, and I'm glad I've waited a while to get back to either of these guys. I have to admit the initial idea of not living in the bush for a summer (I've been working forestry in Alberta for a number of years...) had me going on getting a new bike on the road a little much, and probly would have paid too much 2 weeks ago.

And very good call on the guy with the '78. He was a little squirrely when I met him, so I mostly just looked at the bike. His definition of mint is certainly strange, and I didn't offer nearly what he was asking.

Thanks for the replies, nice to have cooler heads being a little more subjective than I have been lately.

Jon

Btw - Otakar, Is it mostly a parts availability/price thing that makes the 750 a more economical model that the 650? I only ask because I am not opposed to the idea of looking into that model, but frankly I though the 650 was about as big as I wanted go in the displacement arena. It seems a pretty big jump from my 440, and I'm not a go fast sorta rider. (That said, I admit to enjoying taking my Dads' CB 750K for a cruise when I visit him.)

The 650 was actually designed to be a 750 (which it later became), but Kaw already had a 750 twin. So the 650 is already as big as a 750 would be. In fact, most of the 750-4 motors would bolt right in.

As others have said, I 'd prefer the 77 C.
The 77 C model has 3 disks and mag wheels (with tubes). Even with the mag wheels, it is nothing like the cruiser SR or CSR models. I think they might have smaller back wheels but not sure.

Definitely yank the CSR seat off the 77 C. That's like taking an ELR and chopping it down into a bobber.

Hmmm,

So that does beg the question of going direct to the 750, or getting used to a bike that big and (relatively, admittedly)powerful, on the 650 which I've always thought was an attractive model.
Does leave the option of having a 750 powerplant as longer term project on the side, to be swapped in at a later date.

I hope I am not trying your collective patience, but this looks to me like it might trump the others, in condition at least, even if the price might be a little higher.. (hopefully open to debate.) All the pluses of the 3 rotor setup with (what appears to be!)better overall condition, and real pods plus a 4-1 already installed.

stcatharines.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-m...i-W0QQAdIdZ196596614

I do appreciate all the comments and opinions. I hope to be on here a long time, and getting a started with a good bike suited to my needs is probably my best way not get overcome with the demands that these vintage bikes *might* place on a shade tree mechanic like me.

Jonny

Yes the price is a little high on that 78 C model (your recent link). But it's really up to going and seeing it in person. You really have to take a long look at it and the little details will show up. If you start noticing little washers missing here and there, bolts of different types used where they should match, then you know you have a bike where the owner was not meticulous. If you can't get the price down, then walk away.

Unfortunately, this time of year, he may actually get near what he's asking. Everybody is itching to ride.

I like this one. Right here on KZ Rider classifieds:

kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_marketp...&adid=3765&Itemid=46

Very true; I've seen alot of nice bikes stateside, but unfortunately, it adds waay to much to the price with exchange, travel to and from etc...

The only real options are those located within 100km of me or so, otherways travel to even see the bike becomes prohibitive. Thanks very much for the line on that tho.

Jon