1977 Kawasaki Other on 2040-motos

  This listing is for a very nice pair of 1st gen. KZ650's and a vast array of manuals, brochures, posters, magazine reviews and dealer promotional items that were associated with them when new. You can not adequately describe Kawasakis 1972 - 80 four cylinder era with out significant mention of the KZ650; also known as the 'Baby Z'. Ben Inamura and Kawasaki put as much time and effort in to the design and testing of this model as they did with the mighty Z1. A significant performer in it's class from Daytona to Bonneville; the 650 set many records and garnered rave reviews in it's day. I picked this pair up in the early 90's and they have been loved and cared for as part of my personal collection since that time. The ebay photo limit does not allow for me to adequately show all items included or many of the detail shots that I have taken to show how nice these bikes are. You can see separate files for each bike and the included memorabilia through my website -kzkrazycom- on the kollection page - simply click photo of desired model and it will open in to a Google photo file - click one of those pics and it opens in to a full page slideshow.

   I have owned well over 30 KZ650 B,C&D's in my life and have been riding and wrenching this particular model since it was introduced. Both of these bikes have been slightly modified to suit my prefered needs - they both have complete Dyna ignition systems as well as later KZ automatic cam chain tensioners - the original components removed are included. This greatly improves dependability and driveability in my opinion and I have also performed numerous expensive and time consuming maintenance services while they have been in my care. Each bike has a brand new battery, 3 out of 4 tires have been recently replaced, both have new chains and oem sprockets, all master cylinders and brake calipers have been completely dismantled and restored with new seals, pads & dust boots, the forks have been rebuilt, the carbs have been rebuilt with gaskets and orings, both head gaskets have been done with later GPZ 750 orange sealer coated versions, the entire lower ends have been serviced with oem gaskets, orings and kick & shift shaft seals, nos case covers and hardware, neck and swing arm bearings cleaned and regreased, the valve trains are dialed in and come with a complete record of all known shim sizes should you ever need to make a change. The electrical systems are in beautiful condition both cosmetically and functionally with no problems and the only aftermarket pieces on both bikes are the tac cables and Fram oil filters. Both of these bikes come with complete, correct tool kits and start, run, drive and stop beautifully.

  I have added numerous NOS items over the years to keep them looking fresh. The complete list for each is as follows:

B1: F. fender & stays, F. brake lines & master dust boot, fork head light ears, fork top caps, carb clutch and speedo cables, speedometer, hand grips, case covers gaskets and hardware, Center stand pivot tube & spring, R. brake rod spring nut & cam arm, signal stalks, seat hinge pins, airbox boots & springs, petcock, side emblems, exhaust clamps / keepers, 2 oem keys, voltage regulator, rectifier and main wiring harness, 16/42 oem sprockets with RK chain, service bulletin for tac drive keeper performed.

C1: F. fender & stays, fork head light ears, tac and speedo, mirrors, brake & clutch levers, carb clutch and speedo cables, F. master dust boot, hand grips, R. master cylinder, Case covers gaskets & hardware, R. step holders & hardware, R. fender, tank petcock and emblems, side covers and emblems, airbox boots & springs, R. grab handles, exhaust clamps / keepers, 2 nos keys, Center stand pivot tube & spring, rectifier and main wiring harness, 16/42 oem sprockets with RK chain, service bulletin for tac drive keeper performed.

  Although both of these bikes were very nice when found; I added the new parts simply because I had them in stock and it is easier than detailing the old ones most of the time - such as a main wiring harness for example. All parts are era correct for the year such as the early kick starts with set screw retainer and model specific main wiring harness's.

  All of the engine upgrades were performed in 2014 and I took the opportunity at that time to carefully go over each frame and all fittings cosmetically. Both bikes were dismantled and any areas of corrosion or paint loss were carefully attended to. Any chips in the frame paint were hand sanded to feather out flaws and metal etching primer was used on any bare spots with an oem grade finish paint. The welds are clean and crisp, no heavy coats of primer or finish paint and there was never any need for media blasting to be applied anywhere. Thinly factory painted parts such as battery boxes, center stands and motor mounts were chemically stripped prior to paint to maintain the integrity of edges, bends and spot welds, the handlebars were dismantled for detailing and switch rehab with new buttons, knobs and levers and the gauge clusters were also dismantled and restored with nos oem parts. These bikes still retain their original foot pegs, head light bulbs & trim rings, signal bodies (no scuffs or dings), handle bars, rear shocks and other bright work unless otherwise noted above.

    The B1 wheels have been checked for radial and axial runout, the spokes and hoops show patina for their age; mostly on the rear one and there are some minor scars from tire changes; but they are still presentable. The C1 mags are in great shape, but required color refinishing as a result of chain oil and brake dust altering the oem Phosphate finish. All other parkerized finishes such as rear caliper holder, caliper slider bolts and the front master anodizing on the C are in very nice condition. With the exception of the engine cover fasteners and a few nuts and washers on the frames; all of the rest of the hardware is original to each bike. The front fork lowers on both have been chemically stripped and restored by me. Upper fork tubes were checked for straight and oem seals and dust boots applied. They both handle nicely with all systems working as designed.

   The original seats were barely used as both bikes had optional Kawasaki step seats installed by first owners. The vinyl on both is still soft and pliable, the pans and grab straps are in excellent condition and I use an aftermarket seat for personal use on the rare occasions that they are ridden. The exhausts on both are laser straight and rust free with fresh clamps and hardware; they do show signs of use as you would expect any 40 yr. old set to look; but are in fantastic condition for their age. The Emerald green body has a hint of fade on the top of tank and tail and other areas of minor patina; but is wearing the same 4 body pieces it left the factory with in July of 1976. The false indoor lighting in some of the photos makes it look more washed out than it is and there are a couple of small chips in the tank and tail under seat as seen in pics. There is an NOS Emerald Green paint touchup kit included just for posterity and that I have never used or opened. The Regal Blue body has an nos tank and sides with it's original unfaded tail fin from March of 1977. There are some paint touchups on the tail as seen in the photos made by the original owner at the right rear corner, above the left grab rail, in helmet hook recess and on the right side rear corner of the seat. These areas do not really show themselves until you are within a couple of feet.  Although I made a sincere effort to locate a new tail over the years; it just never happened for me....... 

  Neither body set has been finish enhanced in any way other than a light coat of wax - what you see is the actual natural state of condition. Tank interior on blue is nos new mint - green tank shows very sporadic oxidation stains or dried gas areas in the floor and valleys. While I think the C1 is the star of this show and one of my favorite Candytone colors of all time; the B1 holds it own as a very nice looking survivor. Both exhausts have been recently removed for detailing and there is obviously some dust and random bug splatter on other areas of the bikes; so a complete detailing may be in order. The mileage that you currently see is how much that they have been used since all work has been done. While not perfect or museum quality; they both present nicely and are bikes that you can actually get on and use with no thought of whether anything will fail or leak. I have already done all of the expensive and time consuming services for you as well as located the pricey and hard to get new old stock items. Super clean, complete and correct; they are both turn key road ready to ride or display and will continue to please a new owner for many more years to come. 

  The included literature package (a stack weighing in at 15 lbs.) is also pretty interesting; both of the early part manuals are included for each - an unusual fact about the C model parts manual is that it is designed to be used in conjunction with the B models simultaneously. The only part numbers found in the C book are 'specific' to the C - items such as brake assemblies, electrical, wheels, etc. All of the same pages are there for engine, frame, gauges, etc. with no part numbers listed. The are 5 large format wall mount style promo posters from dealer use and the ultra rare double sided cutaway one is really a gem. There are also a few dealer only K Line or K news issues coupled with a stack of 15 magazine reviews from both U.S. and UK sources. There are B&W magazine reprints that the dealers would give away to prospects and separate sets of brochures for each - both large (w/poster) and small full line versions, model specific and the promotional 'crate' from magazine style 'pullout' format. To top it off, I have included a few extremely rare dealer showroom items - a double sided reflective mylar 'ceiling hanger' depiction of the 77 full line brochure and a pair of model specific counter slicks that any sales associate could pull out to access specs for the customer. There is a crate manual for each and correct Kawasaki service manuals as well as nos owners manuals. The service manuals are a 1st issue April 76 for the B model and a 1st issue 'revised' April 77 for the C model with supplement for disc brakes, mag wheels, etc. A complete list of all literature is below.

  There are still alot of KZ650's on the market to this day which is a testament to their popularity and durability; but it is rare that they find knowledgeable owners who truly know how to care for them. Exported and parted out by the truckload in the last 30 yrs. - it is not so easy to find nice 1st gen. drivers in stock trim anymore. Both an excellent entry level learning model or commuter bike; they also frequently fall victim to the chopper, bobber, cafe crowd for custom alterations that are usually difficult to reverse. In closing, you would be on a long and expensive journey trying to replicate this package. I have done extensive photography in both indoor and outdoor settings for you to judge condition - some of it was done with a smart phone and is a little fuzzy. As always, I am happy to answer any additional questions and personal inspections are welcomed and encouraged by appointment.