TOPIC:

Hello All,
I've been here on the site for a month or so. Many have probably seen a couple of my posts. Thought it time to 'properly' introduce myself and machine.

Priorities, the machine! It is a 1978 KZ650 USA type model. It was GIVEN to me around 2000 sometime by a dear friend. He had other motives than just being nice, although he really is a super nice guy. One, title problems, as in none. Two, he was starting up a local chapter of a motorcycle club and needed members. The bike was running when I got it from him and I was really impressed at how bloody quick the thing was. Upon a compression test, after my test drive, I found out I had low compression on one cylinder. Then, I was REALLY impressed with the bike. Dang, that quick and it only had three good cylinders. WOW!!! Tore the top end apart to find a stuck ring on one piston. It must have very recently happened because the cylinder walls had very very little damage. Nothing more than a glaze breaking hone was needed to get the head ready to re-assemble. Replaced that piston and rings and had just dropped and torqued the head on when life interfered and I got a divorce from my ex-wife. Unfortunately, that put the bike project on hold for a couple of years. In 2003, finally had time and resources to get'er done. Ran it on temp plates for a couple of months and FINALLY got the local MVD office to set an amount for a surety bond when the bike went back into hibernation. About three months ago, when gas prices went crazy, My new wife (she's awesome by the way) and I realized the money we could save in gas if I used my bike to go back and forth to work. Well, I had sort of been looking for a good excuse to finally get the bike on the road. I found one! So, after one final BS hurdle from MVD and cleaning carbs and such from 3 years of sitting, she's finally on the road. Lately the weather here has been wonderful and I sure am enjoying the riding!!


Additional work has included repainting the tank and things. When I got them they were green and it is not a color I prefer!! The paint job I did was great and I was very pleased with the results of my rattle can job. Unfotunately, when I had to pack the tank and stuff away during my divorce they didn't fair well and got scratched up. I have also overhauled the carbs and other such things like balancing the carbs. As with all my vehicles, the only work performed by others has been the machine shop work ( honing the cylinders). The decals on the tank I got off e-bay. I went for the larger decals to give the bike an older, early 70's look to it. It's not perfect, but it works. Considering overall I probably have less than $800 in this machine I think I'm doing pretty good. Future plans include ???? funds are very limited. So, this bike might basically stay like this for several more years until a couple more kids grow up and get out of the house.

As for me. Well, my first bike was a Yamaha 60cc bike when I was 13. At 14 I bought my first basket case. A 1972 Honda SL100. I had it on the road by the time I turned 15 and right after my 15th birthday got my motorcycle license. Over a year before I had a car license!!! Over the years I have had motocycles off and on. I had a 1978 Yamaha DT400 which was pretty fun when I lived in Victorville California. I moved to Germany in 1981 and when I saw the way the guys there drive motorcycles I decided I wouldn't get one. If I drove like they did, I'd kill myself. However, about a year before I left Germany it dawned on me that just because they drove motorcycles like suicide machines, didn't mean I had to. So, in 1984 I bought my first Kawasaki. A 1981 LTD1000. What a wonderful motorcycle. The most favorite motorcycle I have owned. It had a Vetter Quicksilver fairing and a luggage rack / rear passenger back rest. If I can get a picture of it scanned I'll try to add it later. I kept that motorcycle until 1995. Only sold it because I needed the money to move from Texas to my current address here in Arizona.
My screen name is derived from a 1969 Buick Gran Sport I revived and owned for a few years. I'm rather fond of old Buicks. I have had several through the years. I bought the 1969 Gran Sport from a friend. It had been sitting on blocks for 10 years with a seized engine. I spent the next two years mechanically reviving the car including overhaul of engine, transmission and pretty much every mechanical system in the car. It was awesome and a long story in itself. I ended up selling it to a car guy in Wappinger's Falls New York and the guy who bought it did more fixing up restoration type work and has had it in a couple of car shows!
Well, one other thing about me is that, if you haven't noticed already I have a verbose tendency.!!

Peace Out All!!!!!

Post edited by: Six9GS, at: 2006/10/18 02:58

Post edited by: Six9GS, at: 2006/10/18 03:32

Nice story

I like the flag on the side covers - I keep noticing reflective sticker canadian flags at the local shop, but couldn't figure out where to put 'em. Now I know

Cheers!

Welcome. Great intro, and nice bike!

Welcome!!!! Great introduction. Dont worry about yuor tendency, there's a few around here that you'll blend right in WITH!!!!! Sorry guys.

pyxen wrote:

Nice story

I like the flag on the side covers - I keep noticing reflective sticker canadian flags at the local shop, but couldn't figure out where to put 'em. Now I know

Cheers!

I am missing the kz650 emblems for the side covers and needed to do something with the space. Didn't want to bondo in the recesses like I did for the tank emblems because the side covers flex and I thought it would bust the bondo out. Buying them off e-bay is usually an unaffordable option, considering they are not really essential and only for looks. The flag stickers seemed to be the answer and I have put them on several of my motorcycles in the past.