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I still get a thrill every time I visit the shed and its been 38 years...... great deal and have fun.

Here's the vin. Does that help figure out the date of manufacture?

Based on the VIN your bike was probably built in 1978 but it is very likely a 1979 KZ650-B3 model. See
models.kz650.info/index.htm

Does the generator cover and points cover have the name Kawasaki in upper and lower case letters or all upper case letters? What is the engine serial number (can be found next to oil filler hole). Ed

1978 generator cover


1979 generator cover

Mine is all caps.

Since yours is all caps it probably is a 1978 engine. Check the engine number against the list in the link I sent to confirm. Ed

Sure. It also had a single phase charging system which as I understand it was 78 only. Any other major differences between 78 and 79, or ?

If it turns out to be a 79, I don't think I'd like it any less or stop calling it a 78, because I'm pretty sure that's what it is...

"built in 1978 but it is very likely a 1979 KZ650-B3 model...." is this common or something? So, if it's a 78 (will confirm after work) what would the official designation be? And are these just calendar date related specifics, or were there notable changes? Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Thinking its a 78 like mine. Your showing the points cover while Ed means to look on the other side at the alt cover for caps......... thinking the 79 model would have the emissions air vent set up on the valve cover too while the 78 wouldn't (right Ed) ??? The side covers show a 78 model too as the emblems are recessed and the 79 model is flat where they attach........ the KZ is slightly smaller on the 78 too while the 79 is closer to being the same size as the 650 numbers. Then there is the color red where its avaliable in 78 but not 79 although it could be re painted (but probably not).

D'oh!!! His pic is clearly of the alt cover. Man, my old brain. Alternator cover is all caps too. Paint really seems original besides my polishing, etc., no emissions valve cover... So, B2?

Plastic chain guard was standard for all B & C models.

This site has a good listing of the various 650 models, listing changes from year to year:

www.jarlef.no/Kawasaki/Series/Z/650/z650.htm

DSummerlin wrote: Here's the vin. Does that help figure out the date of manufacture?

No. On the neck sticker (granted it's all still there) will be all the info needed. Hard to take PICs, sometimes, but this is always the first place I look.

Here y'all go.

Looks like it's late in 78'? I can make out a 1, I think, before the year... (MM-YY) 1x-78 ? Oct-Dec? That would make is a 79'. It would have been sold as a 78' if it was 01-78. The next years bikes were started 2-3 months into the prior year.

Either way, 78' or 79'... ride it like you stole it!!!
Took another look at your PICs... nice! You got a clean classic, rare these days.