Great review! I have a 1980 KZ650 F1 that I bought new and have been enjoying it for 42 years. It's all stock and with 73,000 miles on it still pulls hard!
650 is so much fun to ride! I have 1981 650h1 and realized the wind thing too. so weird! I have other bikes with big headlights and the 650 just has less wind.. I dont know why! thanks for the great ride video.
My guy (of 30 yrs) has this bike in storage and he passed away unexpectedly in August. Watching this video has me inspired to keep it. It needs some going through.
Amazing what what you can achieve with a little TLC, and determination mate. So glad you get a lot of satisfaction and a big thrill from riding this bike from way back when! Enjoy and stay safe brother.
@@Yo-Ken That would certainly make life a little easier mate. Then of course it would come down to choosing between the GS, or the GSA! Looking forward to your review brother.
@@theanswer5431 I never did get to get it. I called the guy the day before and he said he lost the title a wile back and was waiting for the new title to come in the mail and he said he didn't have receipts for it so that was a huge red flag
I have had a kz440 for a while and its got 6 gears. Wonder why the 650 doesn't. Also I put a smaller rear sprocket on mine and lowered the highway cruising rpm drastically.
just picked up a 78 KZ 650 custom(mag wheels) for 600.00 ..just 13 K miles with a Kerker 4-1 header..put new intake manifolds on it/tires/points,condensors,/front brake master cyl./etc..now for under 1K I can relive my youth...the kerker sounds BAD ass! It's a mini Z-1, in almost every way...can't afford a Z1 now a days..too pricey! bang for the buck you can't beat this mini Z1(designed by the same guy who invented the Z1!)
Great price, we paid a lot more. I agree, it is a very cool bike and sounds great. I wish I could have found an original Kerker header, the one they produce today is not the same as what we had in 1977.
@@Yo-Ken mine was re-painted metallic blue...nice, but not original..yea Kerkers were on everything back in the 70's...I think the saying was "Kerkers kick Ass!!" ...proably not politically correct today .... enjoy the ride...
Hey Ken/Mike. In my opinion the Kz 650 is a better sorted bike than the Z1 and the best middle weight by far of the 70s. Unburstable engine, faster than the Cb 750, better handling than the Z1, better brakes than both ( and that work in the wet-just fancy) and does everything well. Great investments as people have wised up to what a brilliant bike they are. I just love them. Check out my TH-cam channel stuff on the KZ650. You might enjoy it. Rod.
Man this bike is gorgeous. Probably the best restore and commentary I've seen on this bike so far. Camera angle is 🔥. How is the 360 cam mounted for this shot?
They are sweet bikes! I ride mine all the time. Bad little hot rods. I have 2 650s and a 1000. All are 77 models. I ride mine with my heels hooked on the passenger pegs. Super comfortable riding position. Do you still have this bike?
Its my brothers bike, I just brought it back to life for him. Unfortunately, I have not seen the bike in over 2 years along with my brother... you now how it goes with family. Its probably just sitting and rotting away, I do miss the bike. That's pretty cool, having 3 KZ's... would love to find another one for sure.
Sorry Mike, its been over a year ago and I can not find the companies name. I think you can buy a factory replacement petcock now... at the time there were no petcocks available with out adapter plates.
I think you snuck into my shop and are out joy riding my 77. A few questions 1 my bars have all the wiring running through the bars. Did you have to get new controls, or did you drill those bars. 2) I have the same petcock problem mine is manual not vacuum. I don't want to get A pinlge with all the adaptations from Jonnies
I paid 800 for mine ( it hade a title) just cleaning it up and pidaly stuhh 1) did you drill thr bard or get net controlled 2(do you have a lead on a correct petcock. Not a fan of the pingle 3( where in nc does your brother line in nc. And is ha a member of VJMC . I am doing all the work myself and it would be nice if I could find someone with common interest. We sold our house in Mooresville nc and helping thr inlaws out for a few months. We go back every 3 weeks for wife's chemo theparepy so maby we could meet up . Thanks again for toe info and the vidie
Hey i have a 1977 kz650 myself and it needs some work done on it and i was just wondering how much u will charge me to get it up and running. Sonny woods
@@Yo-Ken ok thank you for replieing back to and to let u know i live in south Carolina about 45 minutes from nort Augusta if and when ever u can try to help me out please let me know ty in advance sonny
P.P, these bikes are junk bad bike bad bike bdont buy them at any cost. Send all the info and I'll. Buy them all ,just to protect my fellow kz 650 fans. And don't even think about the zrx 1200 or the zl900 both of them are garbage especially the blue zrx and red zll900😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Great review! I have a 1980 KZ650 F1 that I bought new and have been enjoying it for 42 years. It's all stock and with 73,000 miles on it still pulls hard!
Thanks kind sir... wow, I wish I could keep a bike that long.
I just scored a nice stock '78 KZ650 for only $700. Can't wait to ride it.
650 is so much fun to ride! I have 1981 650h1 and realized the wind thing too. so weird! I have other bikes with big headlights and the 650 just has less wind.. I dont know why! thanks for the great ride video.
awesome video camera is great love the 360 cam
Still riding one since 1995. Still bulletproof to 10,500rpm. Let her breathe out....she enjoys the howl.
My guy (of 30 yrs) has this bike in storage and he passed away unexpectedly in August. Watching this video has me inspired to keep it. It needs some going through.
I bike definitely worth restoring.
Awsome machines have 1 for past 2 years wicked machines with road riders can o in corners hard and fast 👏
awesome video gonna get 81 650 for a ride tomorrow ✌
Amazing what what you can achieve with a little TLC, and determination mate. So glad you get a lot of satisfaction and a big thrill from riding this bike from way back when! Enjoy and stay safe brother.
Andrew, I'm going to do a 10,000 mile review on the GS. Hopefully it will make your buying decision easier.
@@Yo-Ken That would certainly make life a little easier mate. Then of course it would come down to choosing between the GS, or the GSA! Looking forward to your review brother.
if everything goes good im going to be going pick up a 78 kz this Wednesday needs a little tlc to it but worth it i hope
how has it worked out for you? I am rebuilding a '78 kz650 right now.
@@theanswer5431 I never did get to get it. I called the guy the day before and he said he lost the title a wile back and was waiting for the new title to come in the mail and he said he didn't have receipts for it so that was a huge red flag
@@TheCleveland1987 true dude, better be safe than sorry!
I have had a kz440 for a while and its got 6 gears. Wonder why the 650 doesn't. Also I put a smaller rear sprocket on mine and lowered the highway cruising rpm drastically.
just picked up a 78 KZ 650 custom(mag wheels) for 600.00 ..just 13 K miles with a Kerker 4-1 header..put new intake manifolds on it/tires/points,condensors,/front brake master cyl./etc..now for under 1K I can relive my youth...the kerker sounds BAD ass! It's a mini Z-1, in almost every way...can't afford a Z1 now a days..too pricey! bang for the buck you can't beat this mini Z1(designed by the same guy who invented the Z1!)
Great price, we paid a lot more. I agree, it is a very cool bike and sounds great. I wish I could have found an original Kerker header, the one they produce today is not the same as what we had in 1977.
@@Yo-Ken mine was re-painted metallic blue...nice, but not original..yea Kerkers were on everything back in the 70's...I think the saying was "Kerkers kick Ass!!" ...proably not politically correct today .... enjoy the ride...
Hey Ken/Mike. In my opinion the Kz 650 is a better sorted bike than the Z1 and the best middle weight by far of the 70s. Unburstable engine, faster than the Cb 750, better handling than the Z1, better brakes than both ( and that work in the wet-just fancy) and does everything well. Great investments as people have wised up to what a brilliant bike they are. I just love them. Check out my TH-cam channel stuff on the KZ650. You might enjoy it. Rod.
@@rodcurrieclassics8102 You have a beautiful, collection. They looked like they just rolled of the assembly line.
Picking up a 81 650 off my cousin for my first bike, wish me luck
Perfect first bike how old are you
@@phoenixarizona8441 20, the bike will be twice my age once we get it fixed up for next summer
I have a 1978 kz650 I love this thing.
Its such a cool bike, I want to get another one.
@@Yo-Ken I bought mine about a month ago rebuild the carbs new fuel lines and vacuum lines and it runs like a champ
Man this bike is gorgeous. Probably the best restore and commentary I've seen on this bike so far. Camera angle is 🔥. How is the 360 cam mounted for this shot?
Thanks much...So sorry I missed your comment. I use ram mounts... They have a clamp they call the claw, it works great... quick and easy.
They are sweet bikes! I ride mine all the time. Bad little hot rods. I have 2 650s and a 1000. All are 77 models. I ride mine with my heels hooked on the passenger pegs. Super comfortable riding position. Do you still have this bike?
Its my brothers bike, I just brought it back to life for him. Unfortunately, I have not seen the bike in over 2 years along with my brother... you now how it goes with family. Its probably just sitting and rotting away, I do miss the bike. That's pretty cool, having 3 KZ's... would love to find another one for sure.
whats that company in Oregon that you got your retro petcock from? ...I can't find ANY 77 kz 650 fuel valves on Ebay!!! Thanks, Mike.
Sorry Mike, its been over a year ago and I can not find the companies name. I think you can buy a factory replacement petcock now... at the time there were no petcocks available with out adapter plates.
I think you snuck into my shop and are out joy riding my 77. A few questions
1 my bars have all the wiring running through the bars. Did you have to get new controls, or did you drill those bars.
2) I have the same petcock problem mine is manual not vacuum. I don't want to get A pinlge with all the adaptations from Jonnies
Sorry I missed your comment... I ran the wiring out side the bars with the stock controls. Glad we have the same taste.
I thought you low sided at 7:22, my heart dropped for a second.
Hey I'm trying to do pod filters on my kz650 where do you recommend I send them to? (also for carb tuning)
Here is the link, he is the best in business... but its a long turnaround time.. I can tell you it was worth the wait. www.wgcarbs.com/
very cool bike, where did you get the mirrors i would like to get them for my KZ650!
Thanks... I got them off of Amazon...
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07C12J98Z?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
I paid 800 for mine ( it hade a title) just cleaning it up and pidaly stuhh
1) did you drill thr bard or get net controlled
2(do you have a lead on a correct petcock. Not a fan of the pingle
3( where in nc does your brother line in nc. And is ha a member of VJMC . I am doing all the work myself and it would be nice if I could find someone with common interest. We sold our house in Mooresville nc and helping thr inlaws out for a few months. We go back every 3 weeks for wife's chemo theparepy so maby we could meet up . Thanks again for toe info and the vidie
No drilling, ran all wires outside bars. I don't remember or have a part number for the petcock. We live just south of Raleigh
I found one by me with only 7k miles on it, checking it out tomorrow
Very cool... good luck, let me know if you buy it.
Hey i have a 1977 kz650 myself and it needs some work done on it and i was just wondering how much u will charge me to get it up and running. Sonny woods
Sonny, I live in North Carolina now, and I currently do not have a garage I could work on bikes. I could not help you at this time
@@Yo-Ken ok thank you for replieing back to and to let u know i live in south Carolina about 45 minutes from nort Augusta if and when ever u can try to help me out please let me know ty in advance sonny
I'm rebuilding one right now dude I'm so impatient lol
@@paulmulholland5061 I was also, it's worth it in the end.
@Yo-Ken does he still have the bike now ?
@@paulmulholland5061I have it... never letting the KZ go.
@Yo-Ken same here with mine I've put so much work in
I have one that my grandpa gave to me, but carburetor needs fixing
Its worth fixing, very cool bike.
P.P, these bikes are junk bad bike bad bike bdont buy them at any cost. Send all the info and I'll. Buy them all ,just to protect my fellow kz 650 fans. And don't even think about the zrx 1200 or the zl900 both of them are garbage especially the blue zrx and red zll900😂😂😂😂😂😂😂