Newbie with (k)Z650 B3

[Oggers]

Greetings all

Always lusted after a Z650 whilst at Uni in the 80s, so just taken delivery of a rather nice US Z650 B3 (1979 I think) - with what is seemingly a B2 engine going by the number. Restored a few bikes in the intervening period, never really a Kawasaki, but did own a ZZR1110 a while back - excellent beast of a machine...

What I would like to do with the Z650 is strip it all down and restore. I don't think there is any need to strip the engine - so I am not going to - only done 19000 according to the clocks. I will do oil/filter/basic maintenance stuff though. Frame probably needs aa repaint, bits and bobs, and of course much polishing of engine covers etc, and then maybe a respray. I'd also like to keep it as original as I can.

Therefore a few Qs if I may

Anything in particular I should watch out for when stripping the bike?
It's still on original points ignition - is it the view that electronic is the way to go?
The US bars will have to go. Horrible! I assume UK/Euro bars are just a straight swap?
Tyres - I think it has some weird US boots on it. Avon RRs instead perhaps?
Someone has taken a paintbrush to the switchgear and it looks awful. Presumably just split the halves, strip the paint off and repaint? Satin black?
Clocks - I do like the chrome pods. Is it an easy job? Are kits available?
Head and engine block look suprisingly well externally. A guy down the road has a vapour blaster. Would this bring up the engine head/block up to an as new condition?
The bike is currently in lined red. It looks original and in good nick. However, I really do admire the candy emerald green as those are the ones I lusted after years ago! Would it be fair to say this colour is more desirable?
Spares - I am aware of Z power, anyone else you can recommend?

Very many thanks

[KWACKERZ1]

Welcome there are a few of us with z650s on here,

Anything in particular I should watch out for when stripping the bike?

Nothing special but always worth having the sump off and making sure the sludge and oil strainer are clear.

It's still on original points ignition - is it the view that electronic is the way to go?
I use Dyna S but no issues
The US bars will have to go. Horrible! I assume UK/Euro bars are just a straight swap?
Would think so some uk bars have cables running through them so just check what you need.

Tyres - I think it has some weird US boots on it. Avon RRs instead perhaps?

Someone has taken a paintbrush to the switchgear and it looks awful. Presumably just split the halves, strip the paint off and repaint? Satin black

Yes and use humbrol model enamel paint for lettering.

Clocks - I do like the chrome pods. Is it an easy job? Are kits available?
legend motorcycles and z-power or cybike (see trusted suppliers link)

Head and engine block look suprisingly well externally. A guy down the road has a vapour blaster. Would this bring up the engine head/block up to an as new condition?
Be careful some processes are to abrasive try a test piece first.

The bike is currently in lined red. It looks original and in good nick. However, I really do admire the candy emerald green as those are the ones I lusted after years ago! Would it be fair to say this colour is more desirable?
Spares - I am aware of Z power, anyone else you can recommend?
cybike, john browse wrexham. cradley heath, grumpy1260

[deka]

welcome love a 650 stick some pics up

[Oggers]

Thanks for replying. Good point noted about dropping the sump. Oil quality is particularly important considering the plain bearings. Bike looks in good external nick, and seems well cared for and maintained. Wire wheels and original exhausts set it off very well, but oh those handlebars!

Pic attached - hopefully

[Philippe]

Hi oggers
welcome to the club!
Nice bike you have there!
I'm not familiar with the Z650 but I would recommend a second brake disc and a 5/8" front master brake cylinder.
Get some new tyres on it and take the sump off, clean it and see if the strainer of the oil pump is clean as KWACKERZ1 said before!
Enjoy it!
Greetings from Belgium
Philippe

[warren3200gt]

Welcome, I have 2 650's. One period correct customised to be the bike I wanted back in the 70's and the other, in green, I bought new in 77. Still bone stock.
Yours looks to be a original un messed with survivor, pretty rare these days so I would clean and fix anything broken but thats about it.
Not sure I would bother with electonic ignition. Points work fine and are reliable. They worked fine 40 years ago and still work fine now. You just need to set them properly.
If the paint is original and not an eyesore I wouldnt repaint it, they are only original once.
Changing the bars to uk ones is a must. Only b's had the wiring inside the bars. If you want to go that route ensure you get bars with the reniforced center. You will need short clutch and throttle cables unless you are happy to live with big loops in them.
Oil, I have only ever used mineral oil in my bikes. Semi and fully were not available when these were made and the machined tolerances are relatively large by todays standards so thoe gaps need filling with oil.
Tyres, roadriders suit the bike and handle very well.

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[Oggers]

Warren?

Yes - agreed with much of what you say. I have no great preference for electronic. Just that I read it may be advantageous, but that said points are easy enough, and I have a 400/4 on points which is as smooth as an oiled eel. Paintwork is actually very good and pretty sure it is original. I do like the green though and your pic is just the bike I would like to end up with!
My bars do indeed have to go. They are horrible. Thanks for the tip ref the centres and cables.
Oil - agreed. I use Castrol 20/50 on other bikes - no issues there.
Tyres - yes must change them.
Not going for a second disc. One is plenty and original. Not going to mess with master cylinder either for the same reason.

I do find it a bit odd that the bike is ostensibly a US made B3 - frame no KZ650B 528325 which checks out with the lower case lettering on the tank etc, yet engine no is KZ650BE 035412 which suggests a B2?

[warren3200gt]

Oggers, b3 was last model of the b's and as such probably was a use up whatever they had. It wouldn't surprise me if your bike isn't a mix of b1, b2 and b3 and possibly c1 parts from the factory. Looking at your master cylinder it looks like a c model one as b's had round mc's. Yours also has 2 point rubber mounted footrests which b1's didnt.

[Oggers]

Warren

Aye - I did some research, and pretty sure the bike proper is a B3 assembled in the US. The engine is a bit of a mystery, and it is confusing why the engine number seems to relate to a B2. Maybe the slackers in the US took ages to get round to installing the engines the Japanese gave them a year or so beforehand!

Either way, it's no big deal - to me anyways.

[warren3200gt]

Oggers, it looks like a good honest bike. As I said a survivor and very nice.
As an aside do you know if it has vm22 or vm24 carbs? Uk bikes had 24s and some us had 22s. 24s are definately preferable and do release a few more ponies. Heres an easy way to tell, vm 22 have a port at the 10oclock position, vm24s dont. 24s also come with or without accelerator pumps.

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[Oggers]

Carbs - no idea to be honest. I guess I wouldn't see the extra port with the carbs on the bike as is?

[r3sc]

Hi Oggers,

If the high bars you don’t like have the cables running through them I’d be interested in buying them for my A1.

PM me if they’re for sale.

Regards

[warren3200gt]

Carbs - no idea to be honest. I guess I wouldn't see the extra port with the carbs on the bike as is?

Easy to check Oggers, just roll back the rubber on #1 carb slightly. If they are 22s there will be a port on the mouth at about the 10 o'clock position.

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[warren3200gt]

Hi Oggers,
If the high bars you don’t like have the cables running through them I’d be interested in buying them for my A1.
PM me if they’re for sale.
Regards

Only the wiring goes through the center of the bars the clutch and throttle cables run on the outside as per normal. I think I have a set of US high bars from a B1 if Oggers cant help.

[r3sc]

PM Sent.