Had a good one 1980 back in the late 90s. Was great. Plenty of power. Lived in Rutland VT at the time. Blew the head gasket in 2002 and didn't have the money to repair it. Tore it down labeled all the parts and put them all in big plastic garbage bags and stored it under my bed in hopes that one day would come. Never did. Gave it to a guy who said he would restore it. Was sad to see it go
This guy is truly a "Mechanical-Artiste" I love the one where he did an 80 LTD 1000 with a Kirker 4 into 1 pipe, K&N air filters, it was exactly like a bike I had in 1980! Masterpieces all!
Another beautiful restoration! Back in the day at my first professional job as an electronics engineer, we had slightly younger kid with a KZ650. Beautiful bike in a light blue color if I remember right. Myself and my buddies were on Z1's or KZ's. Anyway, this kid decided the best way for him to "keep up" with the bigger Z's was to install a turbo kit. I forget who made the kit but it was junk. The intake manifold that came with the kit did not fit correctly to the head, and he could never get a good seal to the carbs from the turbo. He tried everything to make it work, eventually he took that stupid turbo off and just rode the damn bike. LOL
I have a 1978 C2. Bought it dirt cheap. One if the most comfortable bikes in my collection. This is how I Iike a bike to look. Bikes don’t need to be any faster than this.
Just got some exhaust stuff for my 1980 kz650 from these guys and let me tell you what these guys are all about the Kawasaki very very impressive can't wait to go back down there Monday thanks Johnny appreciate it
I'm encouraged to strip down my newly acquired kz6fitty and spit shine everything before reassembling. Only has 24k miles. Your engine looks new! OmG finished bike looks showroom!
Those were great looking bikes back in the day and it still looks good. My dad had one new 1978, it was just a KZ 650 SR, looked just like this one except it had twin disk brakes on the front. Nice bike and great video.
I Had this same bike unfortunately it was total after I was hit by a drunk driver. That is a outstanding job that was done on this one. The bike is had also had disc brakes on the rear and 140 mph on the dash.
That rear Kenda tire looks awesome! Looks like a "track day" tire! I wish I knew the secret mojo to starting my '79 KZ650 B-3. It is such an aggravating, frustrating process, 95% of the time. New battery, new OEM spark plugs/wires, replaced all fuel lines & inline fuel filter, carbs are tuned nice, good "no ethanol" fuel, etc. I just cannot figure out the mystery. Going back-n-forth from electronic starter to kick starter sometimes helps... : (
7:29 I don’t think I’ve ever seen a rear sprocket quite that bad. That’s a hell of a lot of Time and right wrist lol I’m surprised the chain even stayed on that thing
Another great restoration, this time of an under rated model! I wonder if that is SR bodywork on an LTD frame though? I always thought the LTD had a different tank and seat and that candy red was '78. Too bad about the exhaust, though. The black paint will burn off that MAC in a short time. From the owner of a B1 and a '78 SR...
Pingle fuel adapter $40 shipping $70.. Think Johnny how easy those adapters are to make.. A 2" x 12" piece of 1/4" aluminum on Amazon $12.. Will make 12 adapters. Cheap 7/16 drill bit $3.. 1/4" npt tap $5.
Awesome work! Out of curiosity, how much would somebody typically spend on a build like this? Do you typically charge by the hour like a normal garage?
@@Johnnysvintage Thanks for getting back to me on that. During covid, I've been taken bikes that have been forgotten about and getting them running and riding and back up to a safe, road worthy standard. I've been really enjoying it, and it does bring in some extra beer money, but not enough to quit my job. So I'm just exploring some other avenues or models so I could do it full time :)
@@Johnnysvintage ok no worries I’m picking up a 70’s mold kz650 next Saturday it’s been in storage over 20 years all original. Thanks for replying. Bike is black and green original paint.
Had a good one 1980 back in the late 90s. Was great. Plenty of power. Lived in Rutland VT at the time. Blew the head gasket in 2002 and didn't have the money to repair it. Tore it down labeled all the parts and put them all in big plastic garbage bags and stored it under my bed in hopes that one day would come. Never did. Gave it to a guy who said he would restore it. Was sad to see it go
This guy is truly a "Mechanical-Artiste" I love the one where he did an 80 LTD 1000 with a Kirker 4 into 1 pipe, K&N air filters, it was exactly like a bike I had in 1980! Masterpieces all!
Another beautiful restoration! Back in the day at my first professional job as an electronics engineer, we had slightly younger kid with a KZ650. Beautiful bike in a light blue color if I remember right. Myself and my buddies were on Z1's or KZ's. Anyway, this kid decided the best way for him to "keep up" with the bigger Z's was to install a turbo kit. I forget who made the kit but it was junk. The intake manifold that came with the kit did not fit correctly to the head, and he could never get a good seal to the carbs from the turbo. He tried everything to make it work, eventually he took that stupid turbo off and just rode the damn bike. LOL
Man,you guys do some of the best restoration I've ever seen!!!
I have a 1978 C2. Bought it dirt cheap. One if the most comfortable bikes in my collection. This is how I Iike a bike to look. Bikes don’t need to be any faster than this.
Just got some exhaust stuff for my 1980 kz650 from these guys and let me tell you what these guys are all about the Kawasaki very very impressive can't wait to go back down there Monday thanks Johnny appreciate it
Folks forget how wonderful some of the smaller capacity bike's were and are ! Great ride and great work Johnnie's 👍
That sounds amazing! And Johnny was clearly enjoying testing it out!
I'm encouraged to strip down my newly acquired kz6fitty and spit shine everything before reassembling. Only has 24k miles. Your engine looks new! OmG finished bike looks showroom!
I have a blue 1980 z650 SR that looks like this, good bike to ride, good on ya Johnny for building a kz650.
Those were great looking bikes back in the day and it still looks good. My dad had one new 1978, it was just a KZ 650 SR, looked just like this one except it had twin disk brakes on the front. Nice bike and great video.
I had this bike , I sold it and I regretted so much. Nice work , my friend.
Great looking bike and what a great sounding bike great job Johnny keep up the fantastic work you are doing
Just zoomed in on the gas cap. Looks like the same dent as mine had. You might have my bike! Pretty cool 😎
Nice job, I had a 1980 z650 in blue, toured around France on it in 1990, she never missed a beat. would love another now.
I have a 79' KZ-650SR same color and I believe the same tank. These are very nice bikes!!!! I love mine!
My usual comments apply, lovely job, wish it was in my garage etc👍
Johnny.... Will ride my '79 SR 650 to Barber's next year. It has a complete Z1R front end !
Superb motorcycle. My biggest regret was letting mine go for next to nothing years back.
Love these videos, and what exceptional work you guys do!
Thank you very much!
@@Johnnysvintage😂
I Had this same bike unfortunately it was total after I was hit by a drunk driver. That is a outstanding job that was done on this one. The bike is had also had disc brakes on the rear and 140 mph on the dash.
Good stuff guys, that bike hauls! Cheers, Doug
This is my fave style refurb leaving origanal paint ...👌
Used to have one, brings back memory’s
Memories
Great work! Piece of art...
That rear Kenda tire looks awesome! Looks like a "track day" tire! I wish I knew the secret mojo to starting my '79 KZ650 B-3. It is such an aggravating, frustrating process, 95% of the time. New battery, new OEM spark plugs/wires, replaced all fuel lines & inline fuel filter, carbs are tuned nice, good "no ethanol" fuel, etc. I just cannot figure out the mystery. Going back-n-forth from electronic starter to kick starter sometimes helps... : (
Do you want to maybe sale it?
Excellent job
I want my motorcycle back from high school
Beautiful work. I had a '78 KZ650 SR same exact bike and color. Sold it for $650 in 1984. Big mistake.
Amazinx job ,welldone
7:29 I don’t think I’ve ever seen a rear sprocket quite that bad. That’s a hell of a lot of Time and right wrist lol I’m surprised the chain even stayed on that thing
Beautiful work... Hey what about selling some Johnnys Vintage Tshirts?? ..." This is Nice!" Id definitely buy it. Love what you do
check out our web page
I’ve believe gas cap is similar to the z250a gas tank, they can probably check with a Japanese website or somebody from the UK
I like how it sounds 👍👍
Looks good..
Another great restoration, this time of an under rated model! I wonder if that is SR bodywork on an LTD frame though? I always thought the LTD had a different tank and seat and that candy red was '78. Too bad about the exhaust, though. The black paint will burn off that MAC in a short time. From the owner of a B1 and a '78 SR...
I think the 1980 was very close to the sr650
@@Johnnysvintage yeah, did a little more research and I think you are right. One big difference i see is single disc front on the 80 ltd
I had one of that Kawasaki 650 Sr red one just like that 👍
My first bike, which i still own is an 80 kz440 ltd a little brother to it
I have the 79SR 650 looks mostly the same. Mine will never be showroom new though, more of a custom build
Que linda Kawasaki dios mío sería mí sueño tener una de esa 😵😵😵😵😵 desde argentina ...pilar
el mio tambien
john why don`t you show some of the other great work you do
what sort of cost does your fantastic work cost. what a beautiful bike. he is a lucky owner
5500 for labor, plus parts
k you . once again, it is amazing.
Pingle fuel adapter $40 shipping $70.. Think Johnny how easy those adapters are to make.. A 2" x 12" piece of 1/4" aluminum on Amazon $12.. Will make 12 adapters. Cheap 7/16 drill bit $3.. 1/4" npt tap $5.
Good job
Is the tread is facing the wrong direction ? 43:30 ... Beautiful bike
no, it is on correct
Just as throaty as the Z1’s. Love it.
Big fan from Wales UK (first)
Awesome work!
Out of curiosity, how much would somebody typically spend on a build like this?
Do you typically charge by the hour like a normal garage?
We charge 5500 plus parts
@@Johnnysvintage Thanks for getting back to me on that. During covid, I've been taken bikes that have been forgotten about and getting them running and riding and back up to a safe, road worthy standard. I've been really enjoying it, and it does bring in some extra beer money, but not enough to quit my job. So I'm just exploring some other avenues or models so I could do it full time :)
@@Johnnysvintage
Chris Riddiford
Call 330 3357365
☺️
My is exactly like that same
miracle
How much would a bike like that be worth these days?
Ser johnny do have carburator of yamaha xt 225cc very hard to pind here in the Philippines i well pay
👍👌😁
How much it SOLD for?
This is a customer's bike
@@Johnnysvintage okay.
@@Johnnysvintage Do you have a list of bikes that are not sold. I can see them online.
@@gossipcrunch We have a web page Johnnysvintagemotorcycle.com
Wow nice!!! Can you redo my KZ?
We kind of behind at this time
@@Johnnysvintage ok no worries I’m picking up a 70’s mold kz650 next Saturday it’s been in storage over 20 years all original. Thanks for replying. Bike is black and green original paint.
👍👍🇺🇸
Hey there I have a 1980 KZ 650 LT D apart would like to sell . If interested let me know
Total fail on the exhaust pipe oh my God why not a kerker?
That was all that was available at the time
@@Johnnysvintage hopefully he replaced it. Looked like a Mac Exhaust. Never liked the looks of them.
@@Johnnysvintage
Chris Riddiford ☺
Call 330 3357365
are you really wearing Crocs Johnnie? Don’t quit your day job.
The Black headers spoil it,, Good job otherwise
i agree. they have to be chrome.
Amazinx job ,welldone