1979 KZ650B Streamlined Restomod

Hey guys!

First a quick intro:
25 years old, first motorcycle since riding 50cc’s as a 16 year old.I’ve been lurking around the forum for some time now, and have since gotten very good answers to my questions regarding the technicalities around the bike (thanks!). And instead of making a new post everytime I run into a problem, I thought it would be better to just make a project thread.

I bought a -79 KZ650B (I think it’s a B2A?) in august, and although it initially was very hard to get it running, it eventually fired up, and wow, I must say it was quite a joy to ride! (in comparison to 50cc’s atleast)

So, my plans for this project is to basically do a resto-mod (in my own way). And to get a more streamlined-look on the bike. Originally my plan was to do a café build, but after a while the original look just grew on me, so I’m going to keep the seat and rear fairing as it is, + no rear hoop, it would be a shame to chop it up IMO.

Here is a couple pictures from when I had just loaded it into the car after an 11-hour drive:





I figured I could start out with the things I have done to the bike so far:

• Switched out the handlebar to a LSL00 Street bar (steel), drilled holes for wiring

 

• Started cleaning/sanding and painting the frame with hammerite (ideally I would powdercoat it, but I want the bike ready for the season and I don’t have time to strip it all. Maybe in the future ---hammerite can be used as primer btw).

 

• Disassembled the front forks, since the oil seals were leaking (I’m thinking of painting the lower fork legs black aswell)

 

• Fabricated new (lowered) instrument gauge brackets (with lucas flush mount indicator lights)
  (wired up already, ready for paint)

 

• Starter clutch upgrade (ZR7S) with the complete secondary shaft, oil pump and pressure release valve

 

• Changed the clutchplates while I was upgrading the starter clutch

 

• Lucas 525 rear taillight + fabricated a bracket for it (ready for paint)

 

• Oil + filter change (Ride ENI 10w-40 JASO-MA)

 

• Halfway done with prepping the sidecovers, tank and rear fairing for new paint.

Parts I have acquired already, just have to mount them:

• Henry abe airbox/airfilter
  #107,5 and #110 main jets
  #17,5 pilot jets
  New gaskets for the carbs

 

• R.S side cover complete with emblem (the bike came with one from an LTD or something)

 

• New fuse box with blade fuses 4in-4out

 

• Waterproof connectors for the wiring harness (I’m gonna change them all out to save me headaches from bad connections later on). + putting braided wire loom on them.

 

• Short stem replica mirrors.

 

• Headlight ear brackets (to go with the gauge bracket I fabricated)

 

• New turn signals (small ones, black aluminum)

 

• New NOS instrument gauge covers in black

 

• New fork seals + dust covers

 

• 4* new carb holders

 

• Wheel bearings for the front and rear

 

• Steering bearing kit (all balls tapered roller bearings)

 

• Needle bearings for the swing arm

 

• New spark plugs (BP7ES)

 

• New fuel tank damper

 

• New capacitors and points

 

• Complete gasket kit (for maintenance and upgrades along the way)

 

• New brake pads for the front and brake shoes for the rear drums

Future plans:

• Removing rust from tank (there is very little of it, just some small flakes, and no leaks, but want it done).

 

• Cleaning carbs, rejetting.

 

• Painting the tank, side covers and rear fairing in a very dark metallic green color with dual gold pinstripes (I’m thinking of detailing the tank/side cover emblems gold aswell)

 

• Mounting the henry abe airbox, I have to get ahold of some foam for it first

 

• engine guards – with the three point mounting

 

• switching out the front and rear fenders, preferably to a shorter type, might have to fabricate some.

 

• Dual disk brake setup in the front

 

• Steering damper(s) (maybe?)

 

• SH775 rectifier regulator (maybe? Heard it was a good upgrade from the original one)

 

• mount a small led bar (maybe?) beneath the headlight if I’m not happy with the stock-light. I dont want to ruin the retro look on the bike, but safety first.

Photobomb time.

New gauge bracket - to lower the gauges







A couple pictures of the bike after getting it into the family shop and doing a little work on it, here you can get a feeling for the shape im going for.



 

New taillight-bracket and mounted the Lucas 525 taillight.



Brackets:



Starter clutch, oil pump, pressure release valve swap + clutch:





 

Prepping parts for paint:



Front forks disassembled:



And this is how she is currently:





Have a good weekend!

Looks like you're off to a nice start.  Maybe a US market rear fender?  It doesn't extend down as far and looks more streamlined.  

I'm with Nessism - looking good so far, but that fender has to go
Nice work on the instrument bracket.

The long rear fender is euro style, not the short us type.

A 650\750 H fender can be modded to fit with 2 drilled holes and spacers for nuts and bolts, from the rear frame hoop.
I like what your doing. Keep us informed please.

Thank you for the quick replies! And yes, the fender must go, sad to say it is in pretty good condition, or else I would just cut/weld it to shape and use it.

As far as I could figure the 650H/750H is also called the CSR(?) Correct me if I'm wrong.

If so, then yes, that one would be pretty much perfect. I will be on the lookout for a used one in okayish condition, it will be painted either way.
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Oysteinaar, if your not using the the euro rear guard I would be interested in it. I'm in the UK.
Sent you a pm. 

Warren3200gt: For now I'm keeping all the parts I'm replacing, seems like these bikes are hard to come by in my country, and the parts are scarce. But when I replace the fender/guard and if I'm happy with the outcome I'll PM you 

OK, thanks for replying. I've got lots of contacts in the UK for parts. If you get stuck for something give me a shout.