1978 KZ650 Walk Around, Cold Start, and Test Ride

[@BillySBC]

I had one of these many years ago, it was my second bike, mine was factory metallic green. I rode it all over the southwest. It was a wonderful bike. It was my main means of transportation. I commuted with it and camped with it and toured with it. Later on I sold it and bought a KZ1000P Police bike at a San Jose highway patrol auction, loved both my KZ's. Rode the 1000P from San Francisco to New York City, what a great road bike that was.

[@mzmadman]

JT, I loved this series you really take it all the way. I had second hand KZ650 in the '80's not nearly as good as yours. It was my first 4 cylinder bike. It brings back many memories. Cheers mate.

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

Thank You Madman

[@tfjack97]

Nice bike man, I bought a KZ 650 custom in 78, I just loved that bike, matter of fact I still own it. When I bought it the customs only came in a silver color, I liked that orange so much I had the bike shop change the body work over to the orange and had a black kerker put on and rejet the carbs, man did that bike run from the very start. I would like to find another one to restore to my touch. Thanks for the video, brings back good memories just looking at another fine bike.

[@aucado1971]

Wow! Great restoration!

[@alexguest9937]

The KZ650 is just about the prettiest motorcycle of it's type. I always wanted one. Closest I got was my GT550 (Kawasaki KZ550 G1), and my brother had the SR650. Both very similar but not quite the real thing. That ones stunning. Purrs like my old GT.

[@blancaaguilera1264]

Felicitaciones al propietario de este caño, muy linda la conservación, es para pasearla y no cagarla a palos , es una moto q tiene 45 Años y es para disfrutar y exponer, en fin buen video, mi nombre es Xavier saludos desde Argentina,,

[@jamespowell6630]

Engine is really tight, no rattle. We were chased by the police on the North circular most weekends, what a blast.

[@rickrigsby7620]

Had a C1 in blue, my first 4 cylinder bike. Driving home I kept repeating Oh Man! This is a motorcycle! Good time to be a biker

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

I had that same ride home on a red KZ650SR. I was 18 and could not believe the smooth awesome sound it made! My first street bike and a new one to boot. life was GOOD!

[@dewdewism]

I had one just like it back in the early 80s while in my late teens. Mine was metallic blue. Love that bike. My mother hated it.😊

[@mrmark8603]

Love the KZ650.

[@keithgray7593]

Sounds wonderful!

[@SequieSequie]

uy que buena restauracion de la kawasaki kz 650 esta hermosa

[@bennyrobles9194]

Yep. I had one too. Lowering the steering bar gave it that sexy look.! I’m sure you all remember the movie Mad Max with Mel Gibson in 1979.

[@espositomariano]

What a magnificent motorcycle... the sound is awesome... congratulations... I'm buying one (z650, not the KZ) in Argentina, is in mint condition... but the spare parts here... well... that would be a problem... :)

[@robertpavicic9684]

perfection,like origin sound and origin look,Cheers..

[@jamespowell6630]

Love the 650.it's transmission was smooooth.

[@fastdadd1958]

This bike really came alive in the cool night air man its a fast air cooled jet lol

[@tonyhouk9047]

Bummer that you didn’t kick start it. Good looking bike even though it’s not a Honda. Have fun riding it.

[@wjxjlife8959]

Have more issues with my 2 old Hondas than my kz. Kzs are amazing bikes they don't die.

[@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez]

I ride my 650B daily. I converted the front to a dual disk setup. It takes 10 mins of riding before it smooths out and idles at 1050 rpm.

[@pcprimeevil]

best bike i ever owned

[@jhouse0639]

Awesome, just like mine. Was it repainted? I am looking for the '78 Luminous Burnt Red paint (like yours) to do some spot repairs. Found nothing in the web. Any advise on the color code or where to find a paint stick? Thx.

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

Hi. I spent weeks finding the match. No codes were available so I had to look at hundreds of chips to find this color and I feel it is near perfect. If you email me I will send a pic of the can for you to take to the paint shop.

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

My Email [e-mail]

[@lowprofile2412]

I really enjoyed this video, as I was following it on BAT. I had a 500 two stroke and presently have an 78 KZ 1000 that has only 12k miles. I'll be getting it out of storage soon I hope and get her on BAT. I hope you enjoyed your experience with them?

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

Look at BAT right now. The auction for my 78 KZ1000 is just about to end

[@daveh4700]

Very nice bike. I want it

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

Sorry it went via BAT long ago.

[@jonathanbrown1120]

What jets did you use main and pilots? How did you go about syncing with this particular bike?

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

I used 15 for pilots and 95 for mains at 4500 ft here in Reno. The whole syncing process is in most of my videos when the bike has 4 carbs. It is almost always on the first video of the series as I make sure the bike runs good before I spend all the time restoring.

[@jonathanbrown1120]

@@JTSCUSTOMS do you know if the 15 pilots the stock size? Some of the info in forums seems hit and miss even with manuals because of the different carb racks used over the years. My bike is to the point where it won’t idle or run properly. Also would you happen to know on what level the needle height is set? My bike may never look as good as yours but I’d like to at least get it reliable again.

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

@@jonathanbrown1120 I have a 77 manual and it is listing a "16" pilot ??? but your problems are looking like more than just pilot jets clogging? Have you rebuilt the carbs? The needle jet has a # on it and that tells you what slot the clip goes in. If you dig deep on a google search you will find a pdf for a KZ650 manual. I hate when the forum guys say" You really need a manual" but they are right.

[@jonathanbrown1120]

@@JTSCUSTOMS I had a stock carb rack with accelerator pump didn’t run right, needed 1/4 choke. But ran strong as hell pulled like crazy with WOT. Bought a rack for a 78 cleaned it stripped it rebuilt it. Same jets and setup as my other rack but no accel pump. Would not idle more than a couple seconds. And died under any throttle while under load, would rev rough but not idle. While slowly in raising throttle I get periods of running smooth and strong or throwing smoke or even flames some bangs as loud as a shotgun others just mild rumbles. But no consistency throughout any range to identify circuits causing issues. Old rack put back on idles but still just as bad as before needs choke to run right. I have a sync tool that isn’t helping originally I went for several short rides with a screw driver to develop the “tune” so far that was the only method that worked and didn’t leave me stalling and stranded.

[@magnusulfsrd7194]

Hi. Whats the name on the color on this Nice bike?

[@KALINGANJA007]

Could you PLEASE tell me how the carbs were set up=jet sizes etc. Please..I have a 1977 .

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

Looking at my records it shows' stock @ 100 main/15 pilot. I have a note saying I put in 102.5 main/15 pilot. but looking at my café racer that is similar with pods and 4into1 my notes show I had to lean it way out to 97.5 ? Confusing at best. At least the pilot is confirmed @15

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

FYI I had mid and hi rpm cut out on the cafe w/ 115 main and started lowering it and it got better and better . I went all the way down to 97.5 and I believe I am really close but need one more drop. Maybe 95? I am @ 4500ft

[@FastWatercraft]

🤙

[@michaelwyllie7778]

wolf in sheep's face . bullet proof engine

[@MyWillypilly]

You mean YOU restored. Why do you keep referring to yourself in the third person?

[@enriquerodriguez2132]

How hard is it to locate parts for the bike. Any info is greatly appreciated.

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

Hi Enrique, I find most parts @ rocky mountian atv or Ebay.

[@mazdaRX7fdrdgen]

Bummer it’s going to be sold

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

Yes it is going on Bring a Trailer soon!

[@danbriney1691]

7th

[@jamespowell6630]

Love the colour.

[@jamespowell6630]

What a minter so jealous right now.!!