Classic Motorcycles: 1978 Kawasaki KZ650

[@starchysocks]

Bought one of these for $350 when I was working back in CT. Rode it to work almost every day in the rain, sleet, and ice. The kick starter was a live saver when the bike was outside completely frozen--starter, clutch, seat was an ice cube. But it started right up when kicked started. Windjammer fairing cracked due to the cold while going down the interstate. Ice in the steering bearings. But it kept going for years.

[@roaddirttv]

Wow, that’s hard core! A testament to the durability and reliability of the bikes!

[@MrBiggles53]

I needed wheels when I moved back to the East Coast from England and my job gave me $900 to buy suits - I just kept a tie and jacket at work that may not match whatever shirt I wore in whatever day - and I bought a 79 Kawasaki KZ650D. LOVED that bike! Kitted it out with double bucket Corbin touring seats, tank, saddle and trunk, half or 3/4 fairing and a $12 cruise control, soft foam hand grips. Rewarded myself for graduating from the NCO Academy with a 2 week motorcycle trip all up and down the East Coast, avoiding the interstates, except for Georgia. Put 10K miles a year on that beast until I moved again and was travelling 4 months out of the year. Hated to let it go; but had to.

[@albertgary7281]

I have a blue 1978 that I bought new which I have not ridden in about 10 years now. I have always, and to this day hearing you go through the gears, felt that i needed a 6th gear, aways lifting the shifter for that 6th gear which just is not there. Non the less, what a great bike. I hate to sell it, but i am not riding any longer.

[@roaddirttv]

Sorry to hear you have to sell it, but totally understand. I love mine, enjoying reliving an adolescent dream with it.

[@donaldbuckley2451]

Are you still interested in selling your KZ650 ? Do you have any pictures ?

[@BangChief_AllIsOne]

I'm putting together a '78 KZ750. It's completely disassembled and in a cardboard box. Salute

[@albertgary7281]

@@donaldbuckley2451 yes I am sadly selling the bike. And I can take pictures of whatever you need to see.

[@marshallcollins8634]

@albertgrey If Mr. Buckley isn’t interested let me know . I have a 77 now and had a 79. Not wanting to hijack his deal , I am only interested if he passed.

[@spaceflight1019]

Thanks for the ride! Memories of 1986. I'd bought a 1972 Honda CL 450 to commute with but it wasn't the ticket for day rides. A friend of a friend had a KZ650B2A under a tarp and sold it to me. The first long trip with it was for work. I was to meet up with another tech at a coal prep plant off WV93 west of Bismarck, and do our job on midnight shift. He didn't make it because the company truck broke down. I rode from Pittsburgh to Bismarck and home again, at night, where wildlife vastly outnumbered humans. I was 31, and an enthusiast. The 900 and 1000 growl at idle; the 650 purrs like a big cat. It was a great all-around motorcycle. Enjoy the dickens out of it. When you pull out of your driveway it's like leaving the plant and pulling out on WV93 headed east to the WV42 intersection. Nothing but me, the bike, the road, and the three hour/120 mile ride home.

[@roaddirttv]

Wow! I was picturing it as I was reading it. Love your story! Thanks for sharing, and happy our little ride took you down Memory Lane as well.

[@spaceflight1019]

@@roaddirttv I got my late brother in law John hooked on the ride years ago. The last time I was there was four days before he lost his battle with Agent Orange, November 12, 2020. It was a beautiful November Sunday, and I took pictures that I emailed him. He never saw them. I haven't been there since, but I need to go, for him.

[@roaddirttv]

@@spaceflight1019 We hope you get the opportunity soon. Blessings on ya,

[@bradolsen7263]

I just bought a 1978 kz650 and I’m so stoked to restore it

[@dviper11]

Great story! Got a 77 kz650b in college nearly 20 years back and restored it with a dear friend. Still ride it to this day (& literally today). Good luck with that beauty! Wonderful bike!

[@roaddirttv]

That’s what this one was- a restored model like the one the previous owner had in college. Best to you!

[@peter1h1h]

Using 6

[@brucehelppie6119]

the bike looks and sounds good.

[@patmarren3880]

I had a 1978 KZ650 custom, and I really miss that bike.

[@phoenixarizona8441]

This Bike is the bike that started today's Kawasaki zx6 and zx636 I'd take these older sports bikes over a new sports bike all day

[@roaddirttv]

It’s a fun, old school bike, for sure.

[@trevormac630]

Great video man, I've just taken delivery of a 1978 KZ650D SR650 an import from North America. Shipped over here to the UK , Mine is finished in same color as yours with low mileage .Takes me back to when I was 19 years old and these bikes along with the Honda CB 500 and 750 and Suzuki GT750 were all out of my price range . I promised myself when I retired I would get one as a hobby the Kawasaki were some of the fastest bikes on the road back then , and still beautiful today .❤

[@roaddirttv]

Outstanding Trevor! Good on ya! We’re both riding our adolescent dream bike.

[@Mr75044]

Had one in 89. 77 plate. Sold it in 1994 60000 miles. On it . Never missed a beat.

[@The9meister]

The best mid size Kawasaki of the 70's, I remember being taken for a blast in 1977 on a friend's new green z650, now I have all three models, great video

[@roaddirttv]

You’ve got all three! That’s fantastic. Thanks!

[@gtrs4ever]

Love the in-line 4 sound! especially with a kerker exhaust.

[@roaddirttv]

Agreed! It’s obscenely loud when you really get on it! I have to jam plugs deeply into my ears when out riding, lol!

[@leahkline3866]

Have one in our garage right now. All original still. My husband inherited when he was 9-years when his dad died. My mother in law purchased it new for my late father in law. My husband drove it a bit, but shortly after we married and started a family, he got too busy. I want to get it running for him again. Having trouble finding anyone to work on it, so may go through and troubleshoot ourselves. Been sitting about 15 years in our garage untouched.

[@roaddirttv]

You might need to start with the carbs, getting them off and cleaning them through and through, maybe even replace old seals, gaskets and o-rings. Take a look at the tank inside as well. If there was any fuel left in it, you might be facing rust in the tank. If you’ve got rust, there are ways to clean and resurface the inside. I think we‘ve done a vid on that back in our older videos. You’ll also need to look over all the rubber seals, boots, gaskets, etc. on the bike, make sure they’re not cracked and/or coming apart. Good thing is, parts for our KZ 650 are super easy to come by, readily available, and not super expensive. Also lots of help available out on the web and YT. Go for it! Let’s keep these old classics out on the road!

[@richardcasey7521]

They are great bikes. I own a 1978 with mags and triple disc brakes. All stock with no mods, just fresh paint.

[@roaddirttv]

This one was modded quite a bit before I got it- aftermarket pipe/headers, rejetted, air pod filters, etc.

[@TF856]

I had a 1979 that I dearly miss!!! I would love to find another one like it!!! '79 was the last year of kickstarter's on those. I loved having that Kickstarter even if I didn't use it all the time.

[@patrick00755]

Nice bike my friend. I have (3) of them (2) 1977's & (1) 1979 parked inside of my house! There small and powerful enough to man handle them while having fun enjoying the experience! Enjoy and be safe!

[@roaddirttv]

Three KZs! You are definitely a fan. Thanks!

[@patrick00755]

@@roaddirttv Yes, in the past I had 1975 kz900 & 1978 kz1000. I'm sold on them all the way! 🤣🤣🤣

[@victornonnya]

Great find! Enjoy! That was my first bike at 16. 700 hard earned dollars. So many adventures and lessons learned with it. Got a second one when I screwed up on trying fix it, and rode that one until I walked into a show room and saw a Concours. Still got the Connie

[@alexk5990]

Love the sound of this thing.

[@roaddirttv]

We do too! A bit deafening in the right ear, lol, but ear plugs help.

[@phoenixarizona8441]

For young people looking to start riding start out with one of these old 650 750 sports bikes get the experience riding move up to a kawasaki z1 900 kz1000 or 1100 or a Suzuki gs650 750 1000 yamaha xj650 750 1000 honda cb650 750 1000 old sports bikes are a blast I've grown up riding older sports bikes And newer sports bikes I just prefer older my first sports bike was a 78 kawasaki kz650 she was badass my uncle has a Z1 900 and a kz1000 he gave me the kz650 my cousin has a zx14 my dad had a Suzuki gs750 I had my 88 Suzuki gsx600f my older brother has a 98 Suzuki gsxr750 dad passed his 82 gs750 down to me in October 2022 dad passed away a week later while taking care of dad's funeral my gs750 my gl1100 my Hotrod all stolen out of my shop currently fighting it in court

[@charlenestevens1860]

There's no one around! Where is this? Si beautiful!

[@roaddirttv]

NE Georgia, between Atlanta and Athens.

[@charlenestevens1860]

@@roaddirttv my sis lives in Eatonton on lake Oconee!

[@roaddirttv]

@@charlenestevens1860 my parents lived down toward the dam, off 16 in the Long Shoals area, for about 34 years. Mom moved back to Fayette County after Dad passed in 2021. Beautiful riding all over out there.

[@charlenestevens1860]

@@roaddirttv born and raised in SOCAL, there's only my nephew and I remaining here. Everyone else is in GA! Well, one niece is in Ithaca, but that place might as well be CA. I am a proud owner of a blue '78 kz650. Just detailed it and I am the original owner! I'm starting to get too scared to leave it in a parking lot while I run an errand. They are rare now. I get compliments at red lights. Well, not ME, the bike does. I'm 70. Lol

[@roaddirttv]

@@charlenestevens1860Wow! Happy to hear you’re still riding, that you ride a blue ‘78 KZ, and YOU’RE THE ORIGINAL OWNER! That is all so awesome. Thanks for sharing, and keep on riding!

[@paulmahy]

Love this version. Beautiful bike, sweet ride.

[@paulscountry456]

I had several KZs great touring bike the 650 was great milage and range comfort.The 650 came in third in the grueling Castrol endurance race againts bigger newer models.

[@lisabrooks1193]

Beautiful motorcycle!

[@roaddirttv]

Yes it is! We love it!

[@tanglediver]

I had the same year bike, a 'B' model. I wish I never let it go, yours sounds soooooo much like mine did with the old RC 4 into 1 pipe and K&N filters. Take care!

[@roaddirttv]

It’s ridiculously loud, but definitely a hoot to ride!

[@captainedc]

They were great bikes. I had the same one but burnt orange. And one a couple years newer in blue with mags with like 400 miles on it. Miss them both. Good luck with it.

[@roaddirttv]

Still great bikes! Just got back from an afternoon stroll on it, here in north Georgia USA. Picked up a non-running 1979 KZ 650 recently, going to see if we can get it back on the road as well.

[@jodyestevens9911]

i just saw one on marketplace this makes me want to buy it😭

[@roaddirttv]

Get it! Opportunity only knocks briefly.

[@gregmanson3405]

Bought myself a SR model bobber style this summer. Also 4into1 but no baffles lol. Cheers

[@mini-mastersboatyard-great7111]

still my daily driver. Since 1994.

[@roaddirttv]

Wow, awesome!

[@a.larson2777]

With minimal maintenance, they're reliable as a hammer.

[@JWest1]

I have a 79 kz650, I know that some of you may berate me for this, but I am converting it too electric. Yes, I will keep the engine and everything to be able to put it back to stock if need be. This was my dad's bike and he passed in Oct of 2022. Doing this conversion he would have approved of. He loved different things and I think he would have thought this was a cool idea, so that's what I'm going to do. It won't be super-fast, roughly a 90mph top speed, but it will have roughly 300 miles of range once I'm done with it. 20kwh battery probably a 10kw Golden motor, or a QS 10kw motor. Motor will be decided once I know the dimensions it has to fit into. In all, I love the look of the bike and I am going to do my best to build a worthy battery box that fits the style, that way it doesn't look out of place per se. it's going to take me years to build this, due to time constraints and financial constraints. The battery pack will cost me around 3 grand to build alone. I am going to use Pouch Cell batteries for the pack, which means the pack will be smaller than it would be if I used cylindrical cells. Voltage will be 103.6 volts nominal, and 219-amp hours, which puts it around 22.6 kwh. the total capacity is 22,688-watt hours. If you divide that by 75-watt hours per mile that will give you 302 miles of range. Hopefully the power usage will be less than that, but roughly that for highway use. Around town it will be around 45 wh/m. Then you have another 1500 to 2000 for the motor and controller, then another 1000 in peripherals or so.

[@roaddirttv]

That sounds fascinating, and will be quite the build! Best to you with it, and I’m sure your father would be proud.

[@JWest1]

@@roaddirttv That actually means a lot, I have been struggling with his passing. He was only 62 and died suddenly, doing things no man should struggle with. I figure I can build this bike in his honor, as a memorial to the best man I'll ever know, aside from Jesus lol.

[@roaddirttv]

@@JWest1 I can identify. My father passed away Sept. 1, 2021, and I still feel the huge hole in my heart that left. He was a devoted Christian, so I know where he is and I’ll see him again, but it still hurts here without him. Embrace the pain. It’s a reminder that you loved each other, and that your heart aches for Home, and a reunion. And build that bike in his honor.

[@JWest1]

@@roaddirttv Yes sir! Pop was a Christian as well as I, so we will see each other soon. I will start on the bike in the next year or so. gotta build the funds to build the battery lol. I will do a video of it once I am done, and can send you the link if you would like.

[@roaddirttv]

@@JWest1 absolutely! Would love to see the build once you’ve completed it.

[@paultrainer4560]

Brilliant!

[@michaelbove4244]

I miss my KZ650, It was the light blue they called it moon dust silver. I was a motorcycle mechanic in the 80's The 650 were more dependable and better running than the 900 & 1000

[@roaddirttv]

We e heard that now from numerous folks who rode and/or wrenched on them. Better overall bike than the big brothers.

[@gambitmorph4555]

The kz650 turned into the ninja in 83 awsome bikes

[@michaelwyllie7778]

mad man ,, had two of these , bullet proof

[@roaddirttv]

Yessir!

[@steelcityrooferjm]

My 78 650 is a bit different... it has a Ducati exhaust, pod filters and oh yea been converted to a off road 3 wheeler. With a honda atv rear end front wheel and forks from a 83 honda sabre so i could have duel disk front breaks... so much fun to ride

[@roaddirttv]

Wow, that sounds like quite the machine!

[@Vince-lq3ve]

Rode my Kz650 from the age of 19 to 25 in the 80's and absolutely loved it. I went on this ride with you and enjoyed it but was waiting for you to get into the powerband starting around 5000 rpm to 9. Have you given it a go cuz it is definitely a bit of a slug up to 4 or 5 and then Yee Haw she takes off!!

[@roaddirttv]

The bike was still pretty new to me by the time of this video, so was kinda taking it easy with it. Also, when the previous owner and his mechanic friend were rebuilding it, with the rejetted carbs and new tune, he said the bike sort of struggles some above 6K rpm. I’m not super mechanically skilled, but this spring I plan to get the help of a mechanic in my area, see if he can help massage it to smooth the performance up in the meat of the rev range. Thanks for watching and chiming in, Vince!

[@Vince-lq3ve]

@@roaddirttv Hmmmm, mine was luckily pretty bullet proof but the one thing was the non- CD Ignition where the points need to be set right or cleaned up periodically. Easy fix, just unscrew the cover on the right side (two screws if I remember) and remove. Just spend some time there with anyone who has some experience in the area. That might be your issue. Good luck. You'll love the pull above 5k if you get it happy.

[@roaddirttv]

@@Vince-lq3ve good word, thanks so much!

[@mikes-mz5xb]

I have a 77 that I bought in 1990. It's been in a barn foe a very long time. Thinking about resurrecting it.

[@roaddirttv]

Bring it back to life!

[@jamesbottger5894]

If I were going for a vintage metric 650 it would be an '83 or later Honda 650 Nighthawk. Those bikes did everything well, and were incredibly fast for a naked/standard 650...

[@roaddirttv]

I’ve owned a 1982 and a 1996 Nighthawk 750, loved them both.

[@Onlybhstrpes]

I can recognize those Georgia black pines.

[@roaddirttv]

Yes indeed!

[@leonwandruschka8978]

Really nice Bike i actually got the exact same one just with out the mods :D It's just an awesome bike enjoy the riding!

[@roaddirttv]

Still has the old points ignition, so learning how to clean and adjust those until/unless I decide to upgrade to an electronic ignition.

[@leonwandruschka8978]

@@roaddirttv I had this explained to me by a friend who restored old bikes and was then able to adjust them myself. Maybe you know someone who can show it to you. Nevertheless, I wish you a lot of fun with the bike and, above all, nice and accident-free rides.

[@roaddirttv]

@@leonwandruschka8978 just took the KZ to a local retired Kawasaki mechanic, who walked me through it as he cleaned and adjusted them on my bike. We also found a condenser was failing below the points, so learned the warning signs of that and how to replace it. Hopefully all of it will be featured in an upcoming “how-to” video here. Thanks!

[@leonwandruschka8978]

@@roaddirttv Would love to see the video!

[@marshallcollins8634]

@albertgray is it the c model, forgot to ask, as I’m a triple dick brake mag wheel guy. Also what stat are you in. I’m in Ky. Would drive up to 8 hours if it’s the c model Mr Buckley are you sure you are out. Please mull it over , I’m sure it will put a grin on your face.

[@rubenmontilla6555]

gran video, siempre quise saber respecto de estas motos la diferencia entre una kz650a o kz650b o kz650 c etc, alguiem me podria decir?

[@roaddirttv]

Translation: Great video, I always wanted to know about these motorcycles the difference between a kz650a or kz650b or kz650 c etc, could someone tell me? Answer: the differences were year to year upgrading, changes such as front brake caliper relocation, dual front brakes, points to electric, etc. Great question!

[@carlopulsone9341]

Nel 1982 acquistai un Kawasaki z1 900 testa Nera del 1974 moto Fantastica avevo 22 anni . Dopo ho preso moglie e mi feci un z650 del 1977 ho dei bellissimi ricordi. Dopo sono arrivati i figli ed ho comprato un Kawasaki gpz 550 unitrak del 1982 ed è ancora in mio possesso l 'ho trasformato in cafè Racer. Comunque i periodi più belli li ho passati con la 900 e la 650

[@roaddirttv]

Happy you’re still riding the dream!

[@carlopulsone9341]

La mia passione l'ho trasmessa a mio figlio, speriamo che non si faccia male

[@roaddirttv]

@@carlopulsone9341 amen 🙏🏻

[@racingghost3732]

Any pointer for someone working on the same thing I have my dads and I'm not going to lie I have the 650 and the 1000 both aren't stock but I want them back on the road

[@roaddirttv]

Only pointers we can offer are insuring the tank is rust-free, pull & do a thorough cleaning of the carbs, make sure the electrical is all in working order, and if it’s still running the original points ignition, consider swapping it for an electronic ignition.

[@racingghost3732]

How can you tell what series you have? Because there's three

[@roaddirttv]

The only way we’ve been able to tell is via spec charts like this- models.kz650.info/index.htm

[@LongboardingKN]

🙂

[@janiet6412]

Cool, but only one very bad point: 4 in 1 exhaust not original and "ugly".

[@roaddirttv]

Yet it’s what a lot of owners did with them back in the day, and clearly still do. Thanks for sharing your thoughts,

[@spaceflight1019]

The exhaust on the Royal Enfield 650 interceptor looks like the OEM exhaust on this.

[@mikejones-qk2ou]

Overrated, OVERPRICED!

[@stuartmccrea5188]

Great good all around bike