New KZ650B owner

Hi,

I bought a '78 KZ650 this spring and really enjoy it.
Did the usual maintenance after unknown number of years stand time (2 at least), found ignition timed wrong, carbs dirty, air filter bad, sparks black break fluid old etc.
Noticed a slight raise of oil level after first runs, means fuel getting to the crankcase. Replaced hard and broken o-rings at the main jet holder piece, now seems to be fixed. Need a longer drive to verify.
I researched a lot in German and other forums to learn from others, kzrider is for sure the best. Great knowledge sharing here!
Happy to be part of the community.

Things in backlog are oil leak at cam end rubbers on right side, carb airscrew tuning and vacuum sync.
Should I do valve check too if engine is running apparently well? Looks more laborious in the manual. 

Cheers
Joerg

 

Nice looking bike and welcome.

And of course, check the valves.  They close up with use and will eventually burn if neglected.

Great looking bike!  I really hope you plan to keep it stock.  Ed

Welcome!

Sweet ride you have there....

Once my GPZ1100 restore is done, I think I'll be lookin' for one of those.... or a Z1, or a Z1000, or a 400,  or a 440, or a .....

Welcome from the UK, great looking bike

Herzlich Willkommen Jörg and geetings from Germany.
We are pic junkies and love to see a lot of pics of unmolested surviver bikes like yours.

Thanks for warm welcome.
For sure I keep the bike original, as close to factory as possible.
It has 36000 km according to tachometer. Turns out to be a B2 model. with one previous owner in Germany.
Looks pretty original except the Konis, more modern fuse box , stahlflex break lines and regulator.
I bought some side caps on ebay in luminous burnt red as the old ones were worn. However these are US made, so the bike wears the KZ now instead of Z. Plus a shorter - but original - shorter rear fender.
More pics, no problem.

Cheers
Joerg
 

It is also non-stock because it got 2 front calipers, so at least fork bottoms and additional caliper is not original.

Yep 76 B1 had single calliper in front of the fork leg.
Your fork legs have not been swopped and turned left to right either as the drain hole is still at the lowest point.
Green 650 below is original, black 650 below has the lowers swopped and turned to get the callipers behind the lower legs. 

Hi Katit,

I found a hint on that page  nippon-classic.de/classic-bikes/kawasaki...reiche-verstaerkung/  (sorry, German) that for Germany the B2 was equipped with double front disks. In the booklet I found in the bike, there are several "Germany only" things mentioned. But anyway.

Next thing is to fix the oil leak at cam end rubbers. Hope to get the valve cover off easy and find OEM replacement rubbers. I plan to put on a very slight layer of motor silicone on. Right?

Cheers
Joerg

 

 But the B2 was a 1978 model not a 1976.
B2 did have rear leg mounted callipers and a trapezoidal mc as yours does but it also had twin bolt rubber mounted foot pegs which yours doesn't. Also B1 had upper case engine cover wording as yours does, B2 had lower case lettering. B1 has tank pinstripping as per yours, B2 was slightly different as the two lines of pinstripe join at the back. Additionally B1 and B2 have different charging systems. B1 has 3 phase, B2 has 2 phase. 
So in summary you appear to have a B1 with B2 from the head stock forward. 
Not having a dig, it's a nice bike, just for info, so if ordering parts you don't order the wrong part.
Oh, and yes to rtv on the cam caps. 

wrote:

 But the B2 was a 1978 model not a 1976.
B2 did have rear leg mounted callipers and a trapezoidal mc as yours does but it also had twin bolt rubber mounted foot pegs which yours doesn't. Also B1 had upper case engine cover wording as yours does, B2 had lower case lettering. B1 has tank pinstripping as per yours, B2 was slightly different as the two lines of pinstripe join at the back. Additionally B1 and B2 have different charging systems. B1 has 3 phase, B2 has 2 phase. 
So in summary you appear to have a B1 with B2 from the head stock forward. 
Not having a dig, it's a nice bike, just for info, so if ordering parts you don't order the wrong part.
Oh, and yes to rtv on the cam caps. I

I think it does look like B2. See my B2A below. It doesn't have rubber mounted pegs. Single bolt. And see how it got single rear mounted caliper upfront. But according to Joerg - caliper situation might be different for Europe.