77' KZ650 cafe transformation.

[GmanGS450]

This bike started life as a stock KZ650, after adding bars, fixing the electrical nightmare, building a seat and painting some parts this is where its at.

Next up is a pair of rear sets and maybe pod filters, but I don't want to mess with the jetting here at school then go home to MN which is 3,000 ft difference in altitude and have it run crappy.

The exhaust looks nice but Iam curious about the MAC 4-1 systems? Are they worth it, does it improve performance?

Thanks.

 

[anarki650]

MAC 4-1 won't really change anything but weight, and then probably not a whole lot of weight loss compared to what is on there. I've resto'd a couple of different 77's and an 81, when I put a MAC 4-1 on one of the 77's I didn't have to change jets all all until I modded the baffle. If you want the most bang for your buck for performance mods source a set of VM26 carbs off the late 900/early 1000. You'll have to run pods or mod a different airbox set up because the inlets are bigger on the 26's than the stock 24's, but the power difference is awesome. Just be careful to keep the revs down if you go bigger carbs...something about running a stock configured head up to 12K doesn't seem to be good for the valve train...oops

 

[GmanGS450]

Thanks for the info, it would love to find some on VM's and swap them out, sounds like an awesome time....

 

[anarki650]

You'll likely need to replace the carb holders if you do. If you have really soft stock holders they might stretch to hold the bigger carbs, but not likely. Get carb holders from a 76 kz900 and slot the mounting holes, also sand down the rib on the head side of them, and they'll mount up just fine. Jetting is going to be very close if not identical as the stock 24s. With pods I was running 17.5 pilots and 115 mains in both sets and the 26s were giving perfect plug chops.

 

[Salty_Cafe_801]

....after adding bars....

Do the bars clear the gas tank enough? I really want those bars on my bike, but I got no KAWA friends locally for advise.

Good look with the build!

 

[anarki650]

They look like the same bars I was running on my 77 and I had no clearance issues with a stock tank.

 

[HerrDeacon]

I had a very slight clearance issue on my KZ with the clubmans, but I just made the stop slightly larger and it was fine.

 

[Salty_Cafe_801]

Good to know boys. Im starting to take apart my bike and ready to soon order clubmans.

 

[GmanGS450]

Just to clarify, I dont have clearance problems, and with my long arms I fit the bike perfect, i was able to make the seat to my seat, pun intended. After taking an ergonomics class last year i was able to take what i learned from seating position control interfaces to design the seat foam and adjust the controls. It may be uncomfortable for someone else but its perfect for me.

Currently building a new exhaust brackets, will post pics when complete.

later g-man

 

[78kz]

Nice work so far Gman.
8)

 

[rocketman]

Nice bike ! Clubmans on my 77 kz650 b1 with no issues. It looks uncomfortable to all the Harley guys at work but its quite comfortable actually up to 200 miles so far.