Z1OwnersClub GB

A recent purchase from a good friend, with the potential to make it into the Z650 that I have always wanted thanks to another friend, although it'll probably be run pretty much as is if I manage to pull my finger out before this summer.

As you can see, it's far from standard, but along the lines of what folk were doing with their 650s thirty years ago...

Looks good 650’s are making a bit of a resurgence, probably due to the fact that big zeds are making stupid prices.

And the 650,s are great bikes, I am working on a project one at the moment.

Nice bike, good luck with the project.

Gotta love 650's, everybit as quick, possibly quicker, as 900's through the scratchy bits. I know I can ride my 650's quicker than I can my 900!
Sounds like your plans for it are similar to my black bike I built several years ago. Build it however you want as long as the parts were available in the 70's or could've be homemade in the 70's. Retro custom!
That rear swinger looks like its off something way bigger than a 650 though.
Ps you might find some front calipers come in useful

That’s a great looking bike for whatever you want it to be!

Looking forward to updates and photos whenever they are!

warren3200gt wrote:Ps you might find some front calipers come in useful

Get your glasses on. They’re hanging off the handle bars.

ADRIAN H wrote:

warren3200gt wrote:Ps you might find some front calipers come in useful

Get your glasses on. They’re hanging off the handle bars.

Awww, air brakes. Nice.

Good project Dave - agree with Warren though it needs a smaller swing arm

Thanks gents!
The swinging arm is a JMC, spec as was available in the '80s, but probably looks bigger due to the shortened seat / lack of exhaust can etc.
And, looking at my pic in the first post, the colour seems a bit weird as it's actually bright orange, and not the muddy pink that it looks.
Wheels / forks / brakes are GSX-R Slingshot I think, maybe GSX600? Somewhere I have an original Z650 headlight, an aftermarket front mudguard that was fitted to my other 650 at one point, and a Jap market 4-into-1 system that could be called into play. Otherwise, it's just a case of getting it running okay... but don't hold your breath!

MDM wrote:A recent purchase from a good friend, with the potential to make it into the Z650 that I have always wanted thanks to another friend, although it'll probably be run pretty much as is if I manage to pull my finger out before this summer.
z6501.jpg
As you can see, it's far from standard, but along the lines of what folk were doing with their 650s thirty years ago...

Good luck with the build, I have the 650 bug myself at the minute!

warren3200gt wrote:Gotta love 650's, everybit as quick, possibly quicker, as 900's through the scratchy bits. I know I can ride my 650's quicker than I can my 900!
Sounds like your plans for it are similar to my black bike I built several years ago. Build it however you want as long as the parts were available in the 70's or could've be homemade in the 70's. Retro custom!
That rear swinger looks like its off something way bigger than a 650 though.
Ps you might find some front calipers come in useful
20170409_132240.jpg

You kept that to your self warren! That is a very sweet looking bike!

Thanks buddy, the 650 I wanted in the 70's but didn't have the skill or dosh to build. Probably lucky I didn't or my original b1 that I still have wouldn't look like it does now!

Warren, that B1 is a stunner. I’m just rebuilding one exactly the same myself. Same colour, everything.

Are those rear shocks replacement items? How many miles have you got on it?

What other things have you had to do to it over the years?

Thanks, the rear shocks are replacements the originals rusted out beyond usefulness. Over the forty six years I've owned it its had a few bits n pieces done the most major was primary chain and starter clutch.
It's the bike Kawasaki used at all the shows globally when they launched the new 650. It's done more miles in a container than it has on the road 18k miles on the clock.

It’s bloody lovely and to have owned it all those years from you is very special!

Hope to see it in the flesh one day!

Hope mine turns out somewhere near to yours but mine will never be as original! Only original once.

Spot on!