TOPIC:

Well as you have gathered I have a 1978 kawasaki kz650sr that has sat for a while. Befor I bought her I have no idea what condition she was kept in I would guess poor. But what can I say the price was right!! Now that I am working on her what all should I do to the engine to get her trustworthy? I do not want a nasty surprise like Christine and have the engine seize and the rear wheel lock up!! Also is there a rebuild kit I can buy with ever thing I need? Thanks guys!!

I would start by closing petcock, draining float bowls (leave petcock closed), then a leakdown test (at least a compression test), check for spark at plugs, remove tank and rinse out with fresh gas, fit new inline fuel filter, add crankcase oil if needed, put a little penetrating oil in the cylinders and leave overnight or longer to hopefully loosen any sticky rings.

Spin motor with kill switch on to get oil circulating.

Check for clean air filter, or temporarily remove it.

Put kill switch in run position.

Turn on petcock, engage choke, leave throttle closed, try to crank and see what happens. Change oil and filter before allowing to run very long on the old oil.

Don't fool with the carbs until ignition system (wiring, coils, timing, point settings if applicable, new plugs with good healthy fat spark), and valve clearances are all within specs. Might need new plug wires and caps. Next steps would depend on results of the foregoing. The finer tuning comes later.

I've likely forgotten some things, so invite others to correct and supplement these items.

The idea here is to first get the motor up and running
before moving on to brakes, tires, chain and sprockets, etc.


Post edited by: Patton, at: 2006/12/15 09:43

Post edited by: Patton, at: 2006/12/15 09:47

Post edited by: Patton, at: 2006/12/15 09:48

what about rebuilding it? should I be concerned about a rebuild yet? should I do the tests than decide on rebuild or not? how about lower end condition due ot last owner not changing oil enough or any thing like that?

Well its al a bit of a crap shoot when ever you get an unknown bike. I suggest you try to get what ya got now running, and see what happens. Might surprize ya!.. these bikes are pretty tough in the bottom ends. and as long as water hasnt been allowed to get to stuff you stand a god chance of having an ok motor. As suggested befor.. change the plugs and such .. and the fuel system will need to be degunked a bit.. but if you have good spark & compression, you will know in a short time if the motor is ok.. Course expect it to smoke a bit for a little while.. but after a few trys it should tell you whats ok,and what ain't! rings gotta do there thing and all with the old oil glaze and such..
I feel its better to get it going ,then try to figure out what is needed , rather than just assuming and spending my haed to get cash on stuff, I didnt really need. To me if I'm just after a weekend putt for a while.. why redo the entire mill?!!

That is true but if the engine locks up and locks the rear wheel with it on my closely cut morning ride to work would make my day go good. I just want to make sure it is not prone to spin something or clog something because the guy I bought her off of didn't change her oil as often as he should have. I just don't trust the guy I saved her from. I'll post a b4 pic from when I just got the bike and you will understand LOL!!

Rotinaj13 where in Ohio are you located?

about an hour from akron, u?

ummm yeah bartender tab please! lol well since ur in Akron I am close to (about 10 min away) wadsworth. where abouts in akron are u from my sister lives there?

I'm on the west side close to I-77 and Copley rd. If you are in Wadsworth you should check out Johnny's Vintage Motorcycles on High st. he has tons and tons of old Kaw parts. Strange coincidence, I am a bartender but I don't have a tab for you.

LOL now thats funny!! Well I am a little away from it but I am going to check it out though!! What bar you work at? might have to stop in for a drink some night and still up some kz chat! I haven't seen many old kz's around in the area for a while would be cool to meet another kz rider.

was wondering if this would fit my bike? KZ400 filter on eBay
this is supposedly for a 75 kz400. however buy kaw shows them with a square filter... I dunno

Post edited by: steell, at: 2006/12/17 19:58

As far as I know, all KZ650's used the round filter. Check some part number's on Z1's web site. I paid $11.00 brand new for my K&N filter 23 years ago. I'm sure they are MUCH more now. But that one starts at $5, if the part # right, go for it!