KZ650 Rebuild - First Start. Wiseco, Cams, Kerker

[@hensleytomzx10r]

These Kawasaki bikes from the 70s are some great looking bikes. The styling and chrome really are great.

[@Markycarandbikestuff]

Great video, bike looks stunning, i have a KZ650 based Hardtail Chopper over here in central Scotland, taken me a while to get the carbs set up and leak free (eventually cured with petrol proof float bowl gaskets) but now starts and runs ace, it's real old school, kick start only, no indicators but i love it. Might upload a wee video on my channel.

[@Escapetosea]

White line nightmare! Had two 550’s a 79 1000, and a gpz 550. If the guy accepts my offer I’ll be driving 10 hours to pick up a 650 great job, great bike.

[@digitaltitan]

Thanks. It looks and runs a lot better 4 years later. :) I need to post an update video.

[@bqeberle]

GOD. Righteous sound. I'm literally picking one up today. Can't WAIT. Owned a number of 70's and early 80's retro bikes, but this is my first Kz650. Had a '82 Gpz750R1 which was also extremely righteous....but heavy, and a little big.

[@digitaltitan]

bqeberle sweet dude! I took my time with the bike. Put in a lot of work. Especially in the engine. Get a decent exhaust with a good note and it will certainly put a smile on your face.

[@1kzrider]

The KZ sound is so cool . I have a 78with 750 top end 810 weisco big bore and sounds so cool.

[@digitaltitan]

I agree. The big bore for the KZ650 changes the whole exhaust sound for the better!

[@chrismoody1342]

As a 75’ Z1b owner I approve. Buddy had a 78’ KZ650.

[@YTjndallas]

WOW! At 8:45 he must’ve sped by at 31mph!! So fast that we had to wait two minutes for his return traveling at 38mph!! 🤣

[@digitaltitan]

Responding a year later. lol All the seals and bearings were new. Took it easy the first few miles until I broke her in. New video have no speed restrictions. :D

[@YTjndallas]

Gorgeous bike though. Just bustin’ your chops.

[@simonaustin8332]

Gorgeous mate, love the zed tone

[@tfjack97]

I realize it's been a few years since this was made but if you still own it two things, open that pipe up and take those engine crash bars off. I had a few of these KZ 's and my buddy worked at the Kawasaki shop as a sales man, he said to run the bike about 100 miles under break in rules and then ride it like you are going to ride and it will run much better. It worked, you break it in like they say it will be a big pussy and won't run worth a shit. So that's how we did all of the bikes we bought new, even are Harley's. But outside of that you have a great looking bike, and it sounds pretty good for having the baffle in it and looks good too.

[@jeffo697]

Nice Bike . I like the lighting specially the tail light. Did you buy those or make them? Thanks

[@edwardyakovich2053]

Hey Ted, nice. Just randomly stumbled onto this vid searching for KZ stuff.

[@digitaltitan]

Good stuff. I got a new toy to show off. This or next Thursday.

[@mcozpda3392]

Great ... the best bikes 70's & 80's .. and i remember my prefer movie Mad Max 1 and 2 .. my first bike was a GS1100 E 81 .. and later 750 GS, E 81 / kz1000 79 . i love the old bikes great engines .. Special Suzis and Kawis .. cheers .. (O SHUTTT !!! .. THAT CLASSIC SOUND THE OLD ENGINES ..IS SOMETHING SPECIAL IT'S UNIQUE !!!! ..

[@YTjndallas]

I think I would prefer the 650cc to my 550 (back in the day) I hope my recently bought 1983 Kz 750 H4 LTD isn’t too scary for me in my old age.

[@Jeremy6981]

Sounds like it needs a carb balance done but I'm sure you've done that by now.

[@tedtenderloin5585]

Might have to do the same with my old zx6e tail light, beautiful bike dude and awesome video

[@dennishetheymemanscarfile3364]

Running rich I see with the blue pipes.

[@CraigBMM]

what a cool bike !! .. nice to know that i have one ! .. haha .. enjoy

[@skipchernoff2487]

Ted nice job with the bike.Enjoy!

[@lenseidman]

Ditto!

[@michaelwyllie7778]

god is alive

[@ripkej77]

What tires did you get and tubes if you have the time give me all the specs I'm working on my Dads 1978 that sat for 40 years. I have spokes and I was debating on changing to get rid of the tubes but those tires look cool.

[@digitaltitan]

Avon AM26 Roadrider 100/90-19 Front Avon AM26 Roadrider 120/90-18 Rear Tire I don't recall what tube size. Standard stock specs for tubes.

[@ripkej77]

thanks

[@Jeremy6981]

What jet sizes?

[@DavidLee-no9uc]

I've never seen or heard of somebody jumping on a fresh rebuild and going for a ride. I've allway's been told by the pro's you start your engine and hold it at idle for about 20 minutes to break in the cam and rings ect. I advise putting a fan on in front of the engine ... But it's your bike, not mine, Do it your way and good luck.

[@digitaltitan]

David Lee I hear you buddy. By the length of this video I would say it’s a 10 min warm up. When I did take it for a ride you better believe I nursed the throttle. I followed the break in specs, under 4K rpms till 500 Miles, under 6k until 1000 Miles. I now have 2500 on the bike. She runs beautifully with no issues. :)

[@DavidLee-no9uc]

I want to tell you it's a Beautifull Bike, It sounded Great. I'm glad it 's running good, Great job Sir! :)

[@RedStarMotoworks]

What kind of tail fairing is that? That looks very nice

[@digitaltitan]

WildWildWest ZX6E tail light flipped upside down. Custom made sheet metal bracket. Pretty easy to make with some patience. Recently swap dual incandescent bulbs brake bulbs for LED bulbs. Much brighter now.

[@kristopher6031]

Cool bike! But why does everyone do the 4 into 1 exhaust?

[@BreakStuffClub]

4 into 1's sound better 4 into 2's make it sound like it's running on 3 cylinders.

[@dennishetheymemanscarfile3364]

Put 30k miles on mine. 1976

[@IPS0125]

Did you wire the cables through your superbike bars or just zip tie them to the bars?

[@digitaltitan]

Zip tie from controls to headlight bucket.

[@Murphy_-dw3ms]

Need to know where you got that tail light. TIA

[@digitaltitan]

Murphy_2000 zx6e taillight flipped upside down.

[@Murphy_-dw3ms]

@@digitaltitan awesome thanks for the help

[@shaunholbrook2288]

scooby scooby dooooooooooooo

[@stockchevy3703]

What kind of handle bars and where can I get them

[@digitaltitan]

Stock Chevy I got them off motorcycle superstore. “Eurobars”

[@mcfuller5020]

Rookie rider

[@digitaltitan]

MC Fuller just the opposite. New head and pistons. Had to baby her for the first 500 miles

[@Sour75]

@@digitaltitan, even if you were a rookie, MC Fuller was once one, too. We all were. What an asshole.

[@digitaltitan]

@@Sour75 Haha agreed. Been riding since 2005. Internet is full of trolls.

[@1wannabee1]

Nice bike mate. But you REALLY let yourself down there BIG time.Why? You have a 'kick-start' there and it is there for a reason! (it really is the way a bike 'should' be started) Tc now

[@captainedc]

Lawn needs fertilizer

[@micahgerdis1008]

omg rev the damn thing... just once... 10:54 and not once

[@digitaltitan]

@@micahgerdis1008 super tight clearances with new pistons, rings, honed cylinders. Was playing it super safe. The KZ revs plenty high now. Check out some of the other clips.

[@timberwolfdeckingmore5869]

up and down idle=vacuum leak....maybe so dont troll me lol

[@digitaltitan]

Good observation. It's been fixed. No leaks. Just a combo of the carb out of sync so one or two were running stronger than the rest, and the AF mix. This was the first start so all the bugs have been flushed out. 700+ miles on her so far. :P

[@timberwolfdeckingmore5869]

+Ted Cichocki awesome guess i was right lol

[@digitaltitan]

There were no leaks to begin with. Just unbalanced carbs.

[@timberwolfdeckingmore5869]

+Ted Cichocki gotcha.....nice bike :)