stretching 77 kz650

hi i have my first motorcycle and i bought a 1977 kz650, i was wondering if anyone has an idea where i can get an extended swingarm for my bike, and if you can tell me why when my bike is cold and i try to start with the electric start it rattles and clanks then starts and after the bike is warm it starts without that sound

As far as extending your swing arm you could get lucky on ebay and find one, a gs1100 arm will fit i believe, or you can extend the one you have now. The rattle and clanking, is the sound of your starter clutch going bad..

well when i bout the bike in jan. it came with an extra starter and it was doing it before i replaced it than when i replaced it with the extra one it still does it but the guy never said if it worked or not. and how might i extend the swingarm i already have and or gs1100 what year and how much if you have an idea

You do understand that by stretching your KZ650 you will F' up its otherwise excellent handling?

I agree with ed 1000% If you are going to be riding this bike on the street it will be garbage, the only reason you strech a bike is if you're going to 1/4 mile it, and you dont have to worry about corners. The starter is probably fine, your problem is the starter clutch, do a search for it in the search box

i just love the look of the stretched kz's

nothing is coming up for the starter clutch, and when i got the bike it wouldnt hold a charge and i replaced that battery and still wouldnt then when i started riding my bike to school it would hold a charge and start right up and all my lights worked without killing my battery would you be able to explain why it did tht

I don't know about stretching, but see no sense in it personally. Just to let you know though, your bike is not all that original. Wrong bodywork, paint, wheels, mirrors, handlebars, air filters, exhaust, shocks, fenders, seat, turn signals. Missing grab rails. I really don't see any resemblence to original. Not trying to downgrade the bike. Nice if you like it, that's fine and. KZ650 is always a good motorcycle.

RonKZ650 wrote: I don't know about stretching, but see no sense in it personally. Just to let you know though, your bike is not all that original. Wrong bodywork, paint, wheels, mirrors, handlebars, air filters, exhaust, shocks, fenders, seat, turn signals. Missing grab rails. I really don't see any resemblence to original. Not trying to downgrade the bike. Nice if you like it, that's fine and. KZ650 is always a good motorcycle.

As usual you're right; there's practically nothing original about that bike other than the swingarm (if that). When he said "I bought a 1977 kz650 all original..." I thought he meant before he made a bunch of modifications to it.

Regarding liking the look of a stretched bike - well it's your bike, so if you plan to look at it rather than ride it here's a suggestion:


:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Forgive me, I couldn't resist.

well im not that knowledgeable on kz's im only 16 the guy i bought it from said it was all original so i thought it was cause ive never been up close to one before that. so thanks for your honesty. as soon as snow hits im tearing it all apart and try to get it orginal.

To see what model your bike started life as you may want to take a look at the VIN stamped into the frame up at the steering stem neck and compare it to Frame Numbers in the chart in the link below. If the VIN starts with KZ650B the bike started life as a standard model and would have originally had wire wheels. If it starts with KZ650C it would have been a “Custom” model and would have had cast alloy wheels (but not the rear one that’s on it now, and maybe not the front one). Also, take a look at the left side of the engine where you will see the generator cover. If the cover has 3 allen screws inside the circle (see pic below) it is a 1977 engine (unless someone went through the trouble to change the charging system). If it does not have those 3 screws it is a later engine. If you get a chance post several pictures of both sides of the bike. Ed

models.kz650.info/index.htm

Stretched bikes don't handle is total BS! You get the geometry right and it will work. These things didn't handle when new and there is a lot of room for improvement. Now I've cooled off I will tell you they don't stand as good of chance of handling as a stock length Kaw could but when done right they will out handle a stock one by far. Now don't go thinking I'm saying a 10" stretched bike will do it but a stretch in the area of 2-4" set up right does work When doing a stretch you need to address other areas as well to create a working combination. I'm all for keeping them all stock but these things are dinosaurs in their own right and need help if your going to be pushing them.
Bradley, this is your bike, do what you want! BUT, do your homework. Please don't go into this blinded by looks alone. There are many upgrades that need to be done to improve handling but a stretch isn't one of them. I like that your looking into mods but make them upgrades at the same time.

Les