First time vintage bike owner

With high quality tires the KZ650 front should not lock up even when giving the lever a tight squeeze. I had Michelin Macadam tires on my KZ650 and when a fire engine pulled out in front of me I locked up the front tire (on clean, dry pavement) - not cool! I replaced those tires with Pirelli Sport Demons and the front no longer locks up - the bike simply comes to a very enthusiastic stop when the lever is pulled tight. Ed

www.restocycle.com/ikon-suspension-products

650ed: Yes the previous owner put these garbage tires in the front. As tempted as I want to leave it, it needs to be replaced. Additionally its a size too big...it rubs the front fender
TexasKZ: Thanks for the link. You guys have been immensely helpful.

For rear shocks the KYB stockers off of ZRX 1100 and 1200 are huge upgrade. Also you won't have shocks that cost as much as the whole bike does.

Do you have a link to those KYB stockers KZ802?

www.bits4motorbikes.co.uk/HAGON/Hagon-Twin-Shocks.html?ID=728
Maybe something like these? I can't find the KYB one's for sale. Are the ZRX1100/1200 a direct swap?

KZ802 probably means used oem ZRX shocks. either off eebbaayy or from an mc salvage yard. I've look for them in the past on EB, but they don't seem to come up for sale very often. I saw a pair recently, but one of them was damaged & appeared to be bent. There are cheap chinese aftermarket that look similar, but apparently from reviews they are junk.

Potato959 wrote: www.bits4motorbikes.co.uk/HAGON/Hagon-Twin-Shocks.html?ID=728
Maybe something like these? I can't find the KYB one's for sale. Are the ZRX1100/1200 a direct swap?

I've had Hagon shocks on my 1977 KZ650-C1 for 11 years (16,000+miles). They still work and look like new - I REALLY like them a lot! Ed

Batches of the KYB shocks from the ZRX seem to show up shortly after a bunch of guys at Zrxoa make.a group buy from Ohlins. Hmmm.
For a rebuilt pair you will likely pay more than $400. A used set will cost at least $375 to rebuild. They are nice shocks, but I really think some brand new Ikons or Hagons would be a better choice.
Also, for an average size rider, the KYBs are nearly too stiff on the ZRX. On a KZ 750, they would probably ride like drag struts, unless you weigh around 300lbs.

My recommendation is to keep your mods to within some reasonable budget or you can go seriously up side down upgrading your bike. Sonic front springs and Progressive rear shocks are what I recommend. Hagons are fine as well but harder to come by. For tires Avon Roadriders are hard to beat; they last a long time and stick well. On my 750 I've got Contigo tires and like them but I don't ride hard enough to tax them so I'm not sure if they are as surefooted as the Avon's. If you want a larger rear wheel the path of least resistance is a wheel from a 750E, which is 18". For the brakes some stainless/teflon lines and rebuilding the calipers and master would be a good place to start.

Good luck and hope this helps.

Thank you Martin and CSR. Your blue 650 looks beautiful!
Texas: Yeah noted. I think the current shocks on my bike are aftermarket so I'm going to look and see where they're from. I might just rebuild those.
Nessism: Yeah I know what you mean. I'm not new to modifying vehicles so I definitely have a budget. It's also worth noting I bought this bike (and modifying it) through insurance payout from my wreck. I've heard amazing things about the Avon Roadriders! I think my calipers are fine, but I'll check the master cylinder as well.

Thank you everyone for your help

New issue has arrived!
The old clutch cable was all kinked up and dirty so I bought a new one. I lubed up the cable, reinstalled it and routed it the same way as before and now the bike is now stuck in gear. Had an old buddy of mine come take a look. We went through the procedure in the manual (some guy copy and pasted it onto one of the kawi forums). We tried adjusting every which way and it will not disengage. Seems like it's not pushing on that clutch push rod enough? I'm guessing I'm going to have to take a look at the clutch, but has anyone experienced this before? The last clutch cable I put on took 5 minutes to do and adjusting it was a snitch

Thank you everyone for your responses.

Little ball bearing still inside on the end of rod. Heard some fall out when working on clutch/cable. Just guessing?