1977 KZ650C1 Rear Shock absorber/ Rear Brake stabilzer (torque link)

To start off I'd like to say thanks for the add! I'm a new rider and new working on motorcycles in general. I recently purchased a 1977 KZ650C1 Custom, to my knowledge the bike is stock.




So currently I have 2 problems that I need help on:
1. The brake stabilizer (torque link) is not correctly mounted and has been modified to fit






The PO "moved" the torque link to the outside of the clevis to fit because the coil seems to be too large in overall dia. to fit without rubbing. Now after searching for the last week I seem to be the only person who has encountered this problem. The PO bent the torque link to fit and also took a grinder to the inside wall so it would not rub against the tire, except is does still rub ever so slightly. The swing arm looks to be stock and does not show any signs of being from a different model or bent in any way form a wreck or small fender bender. Also the PO installed the brake line upside down for some reason, it clears everything like it should so... thats also a bit of a mystery.

2. The shock absorbers interfere with the torque link



Along with my research into the torque link I also spent the same amount of time looking into the shock absorbers as well. From what I could find, which was rather difficult because the dimensions I was trying find are not always listed for shocks, was that the shocks on my bike are stock or close to stock size. Now if I am able to find a smaller OD dia. coil spring then I should be able to install a new torque link and we should be all good, only problem there is that I'm having a hard time find smaller OD dia. shock absorbers. Even so, my main question is why is there interference between those 2 parts at all? I've looked at 1000's of pictures and videos of these bike online and yet they all look like they have no issues.

If anyone could help me out with this I'd be grateful, my over all plan for this bike is to turn it into a scrambler over time, I'm not looking to do this in a year. I want to take my time and learn everything I can about the bike mechanically first then start modifying it to suit my taste. Thanks for any help, this site seems like its full of a lot of knowledgable people that I can gain a lot to learn from.

The muffler is attached to the lower shock mount?  That ain't right. hee. 
It's normally mounted at the muffler/footpeg stay. The way it is, I see exhaust leaks in your future.
That isn't a stock muffler system nor is the seat.

Regarding the clearance, it very well may be that the shocks are aftermarket w larger diameter springs.
You could test fit some spacers/washers inboard of the shocks to see if that will give some clearance, but I don't know if it would be a good idea to ride around like that.

Shouldn't the torque arm be mounted centrally here ? and is it "upside down" which would make it bend the wrong way. Also is the wheel central (or have the spacers been fitted in the wrong location)

 

He's wanting to relocate the torque link where it belongs but the shock coils are in the way.
Since the torque link & muffler are mounted wrong, who knows what else is wrong.
I would remove the Rr wheel & make sure all of the spacers n stuff are there & installed in the correct order/orientation.

www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motor...wheel-tire-hub-chain

ps: the KZ650C is a standard model KZ & kind of desirable in the stock configuration. only appearance mod from stock I'd do is add a fork cover emblem. hee.

During your fixes the brake line is wrong. The hump in it at the rear might trap air. It should be turned so the banjo fitting points toward the ground when it’s bolted to the caliper.

And 2 brake line grommets should be fitted to the swing arm attachment points. looks like the rearward one might be bent. you don't want the brake line rubbing anything or getting flexed wrong.

www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motor...-arm-shock-absorbers

Also notice that the axle nut is holding the axle with just a few threads. 

Agree there appears to be several things not installed correctly.  It may be my old eyes but I am not sure that is not a 16 inch rear wheel (like from a D model) on the rear.

I'd like to see a pic of the back tire on the bike showing the swing arm/tire alignment. 
Steve 

Moose1800 wrote:

Also notice that the axle nut is holding the axle with just a few threads. 

Yikes, excellent eyes. That’s a real hazard that needs corrected before the bike is ridden. Might indicate the spacers are wrong. 

What’s the rear tire size. What I find it should be a 400-18. That converts roughly to a 110 or a 120 size. Like 120/90-18. I see rub/wear on the tire side wall to the brake stay. 

Look here for correct spacer orientation  www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motor...wheel-tire-hub-chain

EDIT-Sorry Martin already posted the parts fishe. 

Mikaw wrote:

What’s the rear tire size. What I find it should be a 400-18. That converts roughly to a 110 or a 120 size. Like 120/90-18. I see rub/wear on the tire side wall to the brake stay. 

That's because the torque arm is incorrectly fitted (doesn't clear the shock in the correct position) the whole rear end appears to be misaligned and incorrectly assembled - did you see the exhaust hanger mounted to the swingarm !!! (looks like the PO is another candidate for "toolbox welding closed")