Looking at buying a 1980 KZ650F, what to look for before buying

Howdy folks,

I've been searching for a motorcycle for a while now. I don't have an enormous budget but I stopped today at the local used tool store and saw a old bike under a pile of stuff in their back yard. I asked about it, and one of the guys had bought it as a parts bike for his other KZ650 that was his daily ride. He is asking 600 for both of them, as he got a harley and no longer rides the KZ.

It sounds like a pretty good deal to me. He said that the one he was riding had developed some backfiring issues but would still run (leaky carbs perhaps??).

I am posting here to see if there are common pitfalls to avoid with this particular bike; I am pretty mechanically inclined, have worked on carbs before and rebuilt them, but never on a motorcycle. I should mention that I am a machinist and may be able to make some parts that need replacing. The bike looks decent, will need at least a new rear tire.

I would appreciate any thoughts or advice before I either: Get a great deal, or get a money pit (lol)

Thank you for your time.

The 650 is a solid as any of the KZ line, and there are several enthusiastic owners here.

Some things to look for are rust inside the fuel tank, does the engine turn over, is there oil dribbling down the forks, does the bike roll ok, check the frame around the battery box for rust, check the frame crossmember where the lower run of the chain goes over it to see if a too loose chain has been cutting into it.
If you are planning a full restoration on that one, be prepared to spend a good bit of money. If you are just looking to clean it up cosmetically and insure that it runs good, it might be a good deal.
Here is a thread with some good advice about ressurecting an oldie.

www.kzrider.com/kunena/11-projects/610907-where-to-start

Thanks for your reply, I will look at it closer soon. I'm not planning on a full restoration, just clean it up and get it running well. I'll be using it to get to and from work, I figure it probably gets better gas mileage than a diesel truck

Thanks for the link too, there is a bunch of good info in that thread!

One issue on the 650 that is harder to fix than on the 900/1000 is the starter clutch. That is for the electric-start. It requires removing the oil pan to work on, which is a bit tough while the engine is still in the bike.

Do you have a garage or good work shed? Tools? ..... $600 for 2 KZ650s sounds pretty cheap. But depending upon how industrious you are, getting one of them road worthy could take another $500 or more especially if it needs tires. I'm assuming the "daily ride" has been sitting & will need work. Battery, oil, filters, lubricants, thread lockers, etc etc etc plus tools can add up pretty quick. If I had to do it over again, I would've sold my 650 & gotten a ZRX or something.

....

loudhvx wrote: One issue on the 650 that is harder to fix than on the 900/1000 is the starter clutch. That is for the electric-start. It requires removing the oil pan to work on, which is a bit tough while the engine is still in the bike.

I've removed / reinstalled an engine from a 2002 GSX-R1000 for a friend of mine, and basically assembled his whole second bike from a frame and two wheels and tubs full of parts, so I may be able to pull the engine if it needs it. Could I just use the kick start until then?

martin_csr wrote: Do you have a garage or good work shed? Tools? ..... $600 for 2 KZ650s sounds pretty cheap. But depending upon how industrious you are, getting one of them road worthy could take another $500 or more especially if it needs tires. I'm assuming the "daily ride" has been sitting & will need work. Battery, oil, filters, lubricants, thread lockers, etc etc etc plus tools can add up pretty quick. If I had to do it over again, I would've sold my 650 & gotten a ZRX or something.

....

I have a garage, welder, cherry picker, sandblaster, air tools, hand tools, paint sprayers, access to a mill / lathe (at work), and beer in the fridge

I do expect to have to spend some money on parts (will have to get at the very least a tire and battery). I am hoping that after scavenging whatever I can off the parts bike, I can sell off the other parts to recoup a little of the investment. Either way, I can cut my fuel bill in half (or better) after the bike is running and I can commute to work on the bike.

I think I'm gonna go for it. I like the old style stuff. It's also about the same age as I am

jlaudiofan wrote: I would appreciate any thoughts or advice before I either: Get a great deal, or get a money pit (lol)

Anything can be a money pit if you try hard enough.

May seem like a money pit at first but once gone through it will save $$$. No payments, cheap to run and maintain plus you'll know what's going on between your legs while you RIDE THE PISS OUT OF IT. :woohoo:
Besides you can't put a price on riding a true classic that stands out in the crowd.
Steve

As far as starter clutches go, one from a 2000-2005 ZR 600 or 700 is a bolt in. Put 6 speed in a KZ650 in the search and a thread has very good info on it. I put one in my '82 750 GPz engine while it's in the frame.

Yes, the kickstart will still work fine regardless of the starter clutch.

Looks like I will be picking up both bikes this weekend for 500