new kz650 owner

Hi,

I have just a bought a very cheap, non running z650.

It was reported to have been stood for the last 13 years but after a good clean up i managed to get the points to work and produce a spark, i ran some gas into the carbs via a funnel and it started up..good news. (The tank is too rusty inside to run any gas through it.

this is the first bike of this age/kind i have owned and have a few questions, i would be most grateful if anyone had any advise for the following;

1) With the bike being stood for so long, i am positive the carbs will need stripping and then balancing - has anyone any tips or advice on this?

2) The bike has been out of the dmv's records for a long time, does anyone know how i go about getting it registered as there is absoloutely no paperwork with it?

3) Whats the best (easiest) product/method to de-rust a tank that is overall pretty solid?

4) I am not bad with the wrenches but more used to the later gpz models, what can i expect as typical issues with a 650 rebuild that has been standing for over a decade.

5) does anyone have a website they know of where i can enter the bikes frame or engine numbers and get a year of manufacture?

Many thanks, i think i am going to enjoy this.

Matt.

Welcome to the board! You should also check out the link below for lots of KZ650 info. Be sure to get a Kawasaki service manual (not Haynes or Clymer). eBay has them all the time; just be sure to get one that matches your exact year/model KZ650 as there are differences. Ed

models.kz650.info/index.htm

If you look in the filebase you should find some good articles on Carb cleaning .

For the tank I'd seal the holes drop in couple packages of BB's wrap it up in a bunch of blankets stuff it in the clothes dryer and run it through a few cycles. Then I'd wash it out with water and then white vinegar. Don't forget to use an inline filter or your carb cleaning will go for naught.

As for registration woes they are different in different locations. if you put your location and bike info in your profile maybe some local members can help better.

The 650 is a great bike. It does sound like you have some work to do. Enjoy. One of the first things I do is to clean and tighten the electrical connections. I also do a full bike clean just so I can eyeball it for any structural problems and working on a clean bike just seems better to me. great people here with tons of experience. Most of them don't bite and have had all their shots.

Hello, M. WATKINS, and WELCOME to KZr!

Here's a link to a KZ650 site that includes a downloadable manual.
Scroll about 2/3rds down to "Service Manual."

jarlef.no/Kawasaki/Series/Z/650/z650files.htm

Good Fortune!

Your location is a big deal when applying for a title as the laws vary quite a bit. But in general with no title and no DMV record you can easily get a salvage title for the bike and license it.

thanks all for the feedback and advice, its good to know there is so much good information out there - i do have a ways to go so will be back on here with questions again soon i'm sure.
for reference - i am in Ca, if that make a difference with the DMV i am not sure.

i think z1enterprises can get you in the ball park age wise,no title?

Hi, thanks for the advice...much appreciated...the tank cleaning method intriques me...also what are B.B's?

thanks again.

Matt.

no title i'm afraid...any nuggetts of advice for a restorations uch as this?

BB's = ammo for a BB gun. Sometimes it's easier to extract them if you get steel BB's but make sure you get all the gas and fumes out of the tank before doing this. Maybe rinse a few times with vinegar before doing it. If you go with steel BB's you can use a magnet to help extract stubborn BB's. Wrap up the tank good so it tumbles but does not bang around in the dryer. Then half way through change it's orientation. The BB's will scale off the rust and polish the inside of the tank. Once it's done you need to get some gas in it so you don't get too much flash rust. But vinegar will take care of flash rust and not affect most paint. You might get an overwhelming desire for French Fries when you first start it tho.

Cali? OhOh! There was some discussion just recently about the headaches of the Cali DMV just recently. Tell em what he's won boys.....

a new cheap frame with a title,if he posts a picture so it can be narrowed down! :laugh: