1979 Kawasaki KZ650B3

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21 Jun 2014 08:08 - 26 Sep 2014 05:19 #637383 by LineArtist
1979 Kawasaki KZ650B3 was created by LineArtist
I bought this bike in Nov 2013 and started working on it the following day and yesterday (June 20, 2014) it took the road for the first time in style. A few months ago I thanked the forum for it's wealth of information and patience when it comes to entertaining the redundant questions of a newbie member. I will be here for a long time and will attempt to return my knowledge and experience.

- I will edit this first post with the story of my bike -

1979 KZ650B3 with 10,409 original miles, all stock

original condition
  • parked sometime around 1999 to 2002 in a covered garage
  • all parts on the bike except for an exhaust cover on the right side and the button cap on top of the headlight assembly
  • key in the ignition
  • flat rear tire
  • engine not seized
  • brakes working
  • all electrical working, including bulbs
  • gallon of gas in the tank
  • all said and done, not a single bolt/screw was frozen
  • plenty of dirt and surface rust

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maintenance
  • full carb clean and rebuild, 3 were locked solid in varnish
  • recondition air box boots
  • inspect tank, remove old gas, no deposits found
  • clean/rebuild petcock
  • clean main negative to frame connection
  • test/measure coils (4.2 and 4.12 OHMs) and continuity to plugs and points
  • points adjustment, both sides needed to be gaped and cleaned
  • clean contacts of front brake light switch
  • exhaust muffler center pipe (custom welded, $50)
  • mount and balance wheels, $130 with new tubes and liners
  • adjust cam chain tension
  • a ton of cleaner and labor

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replacement parts round 2 (May 2014, after getting the motorcycle registered)
  • tires (Shinko 712 Series 100/90-19 front 120/90-18 rear )
  • chain (JT Chain 530/102, with split link connector)
  • rear brake light switch
  • in-line fuel filter
  • bar grips
  • round 3 (July 2014)
  • spark plug wire set by Dynatek (not used/for sale)
  • spark plugs, NGK B7ES (first set of plugs were in there throughout the project/testing, time for a new set)
  • factory service manual, $20 on Ebay
  • round 4 (September 2014)
  • headlight by Wagner, Napa Auto Parts branded ( H6024 )
  • petcock diaphragm replaced
  • points and condensers / ignition kit by Sudco
  • spark plug caps by NGK



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    '79 KZ650B3 (stock)
    '79 KZ650B3 (parts bike)
    '06 HD 883R
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    Last edit: 26 Sep 2014 05:19 by LineArtist.

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    21 Jun 2014 14:48 #637421 by 650ed
    Replied by 650ed on topic 1979 Kawasaki KZ650B3
    Very nice! I bet the previous owner wouldn't recognize it! :) Ed

    1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

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    21 Jun 2014 17:22 #637440 by LineArtist
    Replied by LineArtist on topic 1979 Kawasaki KZ650B3
    thanks Ed. I won't need to get back into the gym until next year with all the hand polishing I did on this bike.

    '79 KZ650B3 (stock)
    '79 KZ650B3 (parts bike)
    '06 HD 883R

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    21 Jun 2014 17:31 #637441 by peter1958

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    21 Jun 2014 19:36 #637462 by rstnick
    Replied by rstnick on topic 1979 Kawasaki KZ650B3
    Looks great.
    Nice find!
    B)

    Rob
    CANADA

    Need a key for your Kawasaki? PM me

    1978 KZ650 C2, 130K kms, Delkevic ex, EI, CVK32, PMC easy clutch, ATK fork brace, steering damper, Progressive Suspension, braced swingarm, ZRX shocks, 18" Z1R front wheel.
    2000 ZRX1100
    2011 Ninja 250R
    2005 z750s

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    26 Jul 2014 00:26 #641465 by LineArtist
    Replied by LineArtist on topic 1979 Kawasaki KZ650B3
    Update 7/21 - I started riding this week!

    '79 KZ650B3 (stock)
    '79 KZ650B3 (parts bike)
    '06 HD 883R

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    26 Jul 2014 07:30 #641479 by 650ed
    Replied by 650ed on topic 1979 Kawasaki KZ650B3
    I can hear you smiling from here! :laugh: Ed

    1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

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    28 Jul 2014 17:39 #641784 by gbot9000
    Replied by gbot9000 on topic 1979 Kawasaki KZ650B3
    Nice bike! Warning: once you starting riding, you cant stop :laugh:

    79 kz650

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    28 Jul 2014 17:47 #641786 by Tyler
    Replied by Tyler on topic 1979 Kawasaki KZ650B3
    Man that is one nice 650, a true survivor.

    Keep up the polishing, cleaning, scrubbing, waxing... preserve that old girl the best you can.

    Best thing you can do is open up that throttle and let the old girl breathe.... trust me they really like that!! :woohoo:

    If I knew what I was doing all the time life wouldn't be any fun.

    '80 KZ650 E 700cc, dyna ignition and coils, frame up restoration, daily driver
    '81 KZ1300 A3 full restoration, custom big bore pistons, 1400cc 6 cylinder super bike
    "77 KZ650 B1 - Barn Find, work in progeress
    "74 Yamaha DT 400 Enduro

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    29 Jul 2014 06:52 #641852 by bugsinmyteeth
    Replied by bugsinmyteeth on topic 1979 Kawasaki KZ650B3
    yep. these engines weren't made to putt around, though they can do that fine, but they were made for high rpms. They only start getting happy at 4000-5000 rpms. Let 'er rip. :woohoo:

    Old School Is Cool!

    1975 Kawasaki 900 (Z1B)
    1982 Suzuki GS750E

    Northern KY

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    23 Sep 2014 11:13 - 23 Sep 2014 11:22 #648518 by LineArtist
    Replied by LineArtist on topic 1979 Kawasaki KZ650B3
    It's been a fun summer with my KZ and now I'm starting to understand what winter really means to a biker (depression is already setting in). This week is still in the 70's and riding will continue. I've also wrenched most of the summer making the KZ better and better and understanding how she works. This weekend I replaced a new set of points and condensers and set the timing to spec. Overall I'm super happy with my KZ and want the journey to continue for many years to come.

    Here's a short video after the points and timing were setup. (video didn't load?)

    '79 KZ650B3 (stock)
    '79 KZ650B3 (parts bike)
    '06 HD 883R
    Last edit: 23 Sep 2014 11:22 by LineArtist.

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    29 Sep 2014 18:42 #649156 by Arttodd
    Replied by Arttodd on topic 1979 Kawasaki KZ650B3
    Very good looking bike. The Black paint is the identical paint scheme that was on my bike when it was new. I'm eating my heart out. I have to ask, what's next?

    Arttodd
    1979 Kawasaki KZ650 B3
    Rock, Stock Old School Kaw

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