Kawasaki KZ650 1976 Motorcycle

Covers the 1976 Kawasaki KZ650.
This is one segment from the restored video player " Kawasaki Good Times Theatre". The Good Times Theatre video players were used at Kawasaki dealerships in the 1970's for customer viewing on the showrooms.
This restored video features great Kawasaki moments from the mid to late 1970's. Audio quality on the restored video is fair, but clearly understandable. This is a great piece of Motorcycle History. Hope you enjoy it.

[@SurferJoe46]

I owned the KZ650, the "two stripe" paint job, in candy apple red, and I loved it. Great canyon runner. I put a Kerker 4 in 1, and ran Carlisle Roadracing matched tront and rear tires. I put the KZ900 distributor plate with centrifical advance and pick up a bunch more power. Reversed the front tubes and got the caliper underneath for better braking. I got radar clocked at 137mph on PCH north of The Arches in Newport by a Huntington Beach speed trap in the old steam plant parking lot, but never got caught. I know that because the Hardly Able-son I was racing got caught, and he told me the cop really wanted the winner the next night. I miss that bike.

[@kawasakielrman]

This was my first street only bike 1977 KZ650 I bought it used in 79 i still had my 78 Yamaha DT125 street/trail so i could go get muddy but what a step up to the 650,In two and a half years i put almost 8000 miles i drove it everywhere ,What a great engine then in 81 moved up to a 79 KZ1000 WOW 3 disc's!! Then in 83 to a bike i still have 1983 KZ1000R (EDDIE LAWSON REPLICA) 57,000 miles still going strong! Thanks Kawasaki for making such an AWESOME engine and motorcycle!!

[@spaceflight1019]

In 1986 I rescued a 1978 KZ650B2A from beneath a tarp in a back yard. I had earned my MC endorsement the previous year on a Honda CL450. A little elbow grease and TLC restored life to the KZ and it was a quantum leap above the CL. Four-cylinder power; halogen headlamp, 5 gallon tank vs. 2.5, comfortable seat, hydraulic front disc brake vs. cable-actuated drum. It was a well-rounded machine worthy of the Universal Japanese Motorcycle label.

[@interman7715]

Beautifully styled bikes in those days,not like the bloody things they make these days.

[@kaybee0575]

Outstanding vid! Love these bikes!

[@loickz400]

nice vidéo superrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The presentation of the kz650 kawasaki, must of the time!!!!

[@WhatTheFlyinFudge]

I feel like I'm trippin' on acid listening to this guy's voice!

[@rickiejacobs5910]

I had a chance to buy a 1978 650 in 1988 and also a 1981 KZ 550. I rode both and the 650 was alright but the 550 had a high performance cam and a super trapp 4 into 1 exhaust. I bought the 550 because it was more fun to ride. Also the electronic ignition helped.

[@NoPrivateProperty]

1978 with V&H open pipe and open velocity stacks, dyna ignition. mid to high 12 second bike. thousands of 1/4 mile passes over 10 years and never a hiccup. until moving on to GS1100

[@christophertyacke6019]

My 79 650 sr. Was a joy.

[@gtemnykh]

@djsponge03 Despite what you said, and what the video says "outperforms any body else's 650 OR 750" the GS750 will in fact put a hurt on a KZ650, and not only in a straight line. The GS750 was released in 1977 (except for a few early 76s), after this video was made. The GS750 blew the competition out of the water.

[@Giminey]

Great stuff

[@badhorse1640]

its fast beautiful and in exspencive

[@keepitrunning]

Oh so amusing, nothing slick about this and could anyone talk lower than that guy. Love it.

[@firehawk400]

Man, I love my '80. The only downside is 5600 RPM @ 70 MPH...

[@Vintabilly]

yes! take it. :) If it has a clear title, take it. period.

[@easynotme]

I had a '77' 650 Custom, with the mag wheels a trip disc breaks it was a fun bike and if I recall it only set me back $1650. off the show room floor

[@badhorse1640]

v Last mine was 76 650 custom and it will only set me back about 500 $ and it was only about 50 $ I love it

[@djsponge03]

I have a 78 kz 650 also, u must not have it properly tunned. The KZ should own your buddy's GS

[@BullToTheShit]

He sounds like Lurch.

[@nandoGdog]

My buddy's KZ650 gave my 750 honda a run for the money.

[@tomballard8877]

Had a kz650 and it would smoke my buddy’s 750 Honda.Rode it from NY to Key West

[@frankmcbride6158]

Had a 1978 blue KZ 650 and mixed half gas with aviation gas and went like blue blazes

[@Saxondog]

Is that commentator chewing a lobster?

[@jmrico1979]

what's with darth vader speaking off camera?

[@Honk_Clank]

dude this guys is talking SO SLOW!

[@jetblack748]

great bikes but some italian bikes were faster with less cilinders.

[@CaptHollister]

Not really, but the MV Agusta 750S was faster with the same number of cylinders