81 kz650h1 project "test pilot"

Figured I should get around to posting my build.

Here she is, 1981 kz650h1
Got her for 100$
This is how I brought it home, not much to look at, but she will get there

Rockybalboba wrote:
Got her for 100$

What a steal!!!

Got home and started taking stock of what was missing and what I wanted to change.
At this point I was missing throttle cables and assembly
Also needed plugs and wires
Battery
And some love

And then after some debating....


Oops. This fell off

I didnt think it was terrible, it's fairly clean in the motor, everything rolls good by hand. Figured it was worth a shot

The wheel rims are looks like aluminum high shoulder rims.

Started playing with some ideas and visions


I liked the coffin tank
But it was a little long, and it belongs on my dad's trike so I didnt wanna cut it up on him. The seat meh, just the closest shape to the seat style i want on hand.

I like the shape of the factory tank, and I tossed my sled bars on it, actually kinda looks good.

Possibly? They are spooked and do have some "oxidization"
Is that a bad thing?

nothing a good polish and elbow grease can solve.

Those are the stock wheels. 48-spoke w aluminum rims. If the spokes are very bad/rusty, you might be able to get them zinc coated. Someone suggested that to me just the other day, but I don't know anything about getting that done.

Probably jumping the gun, but are you going to weld a hoop or something to the rear. otherwise the frame will be kind of weak.

Rear brake shoes. you probably ought to plan on replacing the shoes. the adhesive that binds the linings to the shoes gets brittle over time & can fail, so a lining can separate from a shoe, then get jammed between the shoe & drum, locking the rear wheel. it happened to me, so it does happen.

....

martin_csr wrote: .

Probably jumping the gun, but are you going to weld a hoop or something to the rear. otherwise the frame will be kind of weak.

Rear brake shoes. you probably ought to plan on replacing the shoes. the adhesive that binds the linings to the shoes gets brittle over time & can fail, so a lining can separate from a shoe, then get jammed between the shoe & drum, locking the rear wheel. it happened to me, so it does happen.

....

I do plan to do a hoop across the tail, still working out what I'm gonna do exactly lol.

And good advice about the rear brakes, I'll have to add them into my next parts order. That was something I hadn't even thought of, havent even seen it throw a spark yet, but the parts are coming in and my mind is racing, so it will get somewhere

I would focus on getting the engine running. and if you need a manual.....

Kawasaki KZ650 service manual. jarlef z650. the 1981 KZ650 pdf manual is in the Files section.


....

Thanks! I will be saving that link, my main focus is getting it going, but I had to order parts to even "attempt" to "start" it.
I havent had a chance to get to my buddies to get a compression test done, but soon hopefully.

Fingers crossed the motor is good, looks good.. but looks can and have been deceiving