KZ650 which model do I have

Purchased a KZ650 as a project bike for my father and I, this is my second KZ and I'm looking forward to hanging out with my dad getting this thing running. Hoping someone could give me a hand id'ing the model as i've checked models.kz650.info and it's a little confusing based on the numbers I have.

Frame SN - KZ650B-009142
Engine SN - KZ650BE010188

So according to the frame # I have a 1977 KZ650 B1 but the engine number doesn't seem to fall under the scope of the B1?

Am I missing something? (I'm certain I am)

I don't know about the numbers, but it's easy to tell the bikes apart if they haven't been changed around much.

All 1977 KZ650's will have 3 screws in a triangle shape on the alternator cover. 78 and later won't have them. If the engine's been changed, then hard to say.

The C models had triple disks and aluminum wheels. The B models had wire wheels, single disk in front and drum in back.

I think the engine's were basically the same for the C and B. However, there seemed to be a merry-go-round with the differences in the carbs. If I recall, there were at least 3 minor variations of the carbs, and seemingly no way to predict what you have without actually looking at he carbs. The carbs all looked similar, but the mixture screws were in different places on the different carbs.

RonKZ650 or OnkelB would probably have the best idea on what is what.

Check the VIN label on the neck of your bike.

This is mine:



So it looks as if our bikes were made at about the same time... and probably in Japan. Again, check your VIN label.

However, the Engine numbers are off and I have no explanation for that. Perhaps there was more than one country-of-origin for the Engines... including the USA.

Best of success,
Bill

Both numbers are 1977 KZ650B1.

Agree with Ron it does appear to be a 77 b1 that was built in Japan. The bikes built in USA frame # starts with a 5 - see below. The Frame #s tend to have the model letter in them at least the early ones do.

B series numbers

1977 KZ650B1
Japan:Frame 000101-026990
Engine 000101-045147

USA: Frame 500001-508015
Engine 000101-043949

1978 KZ650B2
Japan: Frame 027501-032200
Engine 046001-057787

USA: Frame 508016-515325
Engine 046001-057787

1978 KZ650B2A
Japan: Frame 033501-044828
Engine 061299-090685

USA: Frame 515326-523523
Engine 061299-092000

1979 KZ650B3
Japan: Frame 046201-047350
Engine: 092001-102148

USA: Frame 523524-533520
Engine 092001-116800

Very cool info, thanks guys. One other question. I have a haynes manual that lists only UK and USA models on the cover. Am I going to run into difficulties?

The manual you have should work for your bike, and it will provide useful info but a FSM would be better. There are some posts on the kz650.info site that provide info on how to download a haynes and clymer manual. For a FSM, you will have to hunt - they do come up on ebay now and then - also in the fsob on the kz650.info site - just make sure it is for your model.

bloglos wrote:

Very cool info, thanks guys. One other question. I have a haynes manual that lists only UK and USA models on the cover. Am I going to run into difficulties?

That manual will work, but the majority of us here use either a F.S.M. (Factory Service Manual) or a Clymers manual. Some of us even have both, as each manual has it's own tips / tricks pertaining to certain procedures.

z1enterprises.com should have the Clymers manual, and you sometimes can luck out and find a decent used F.S.M. on eBay for a fair price.

Oh ya, and welcome to KZr!

Do yourself a huge favor and get a Kawasaki factory service manual (FSM). They're available on eBay. After you get it, you need to buy 2 torque wrenches. One should be in inch pounds scale and one in foot pounds. Wait until you get the FSM to buy the wrenches because you can use the torque chart in the FSM to determine exactly which scale torque wrenches will work best for you. Here are a couple FSM currently on eBay:

Sample 1

Sample 2

What's the difference between the factory service manual and the factory shop manual?

bloglos wrote:

What's the difference between the factory service manual and the factory shop manual?

"Factory Service Manual" and "Factory Shop Manual" are often used interchangeably, or simply as "FSM."

The KZ900 FSM 6th revision dated March 28, 1977 is titled "Kawasaki KZ900 MOTORCYCLE SHOP MANUAL" which covers models 1973 Z1 through 1976 KZ900.
The manual's Part No. at bottom of outside rear cover is illegible on my copy.

The KZ900-B1 FSM 1st issue dated January 1976 is titled "Kawasaki KZ900 LTD MOTORCYCLE SHOP MANUAL SUPPLEMENT" which covers the original 1976 KZ900 LTD model. Back cover is imprinted: KZ900-B1:LTD
The manual's Part No. is 99995-272-01

The KZ1000 FSM 4th revision dated March 12, 1979 is titled "Kawasaki KZ1000 MOTORCYCLE SERVICE MANUAL" which covers models 1977 KZ1000-A1, 1978 KZ1000-A2 and D1, and 1979 KZ1000-A3 and D2.
The manual's Part No. is 99931-540-03.

The FSM's are of course different from the OWNER'S MANUAL usually furnished with a new motorcycle.

As both types of manuals are listed on ebay, be careful not to mistakenly order an Owner's manual when intending to order a shop or service manual.

Good Fortune!

.