'79 kz650 brat/tracker project (my first bike)

[gee_tee_p]

ill keep my intro simple. my friends have bikes, i wanted a project. they offered their time, support, and knowledge so i had to buy a bike!

my first project is a '79 kz650, my initial thoughts were to cafe it out. after consideration and just my overall opinion i've decided to go with the Brat/Tracker style. here are pictures of my bike the day i brought it home, and the inspiration.

will keep you posted on the process. last weekend we got her running, once i get her street legal, registered, and insured i will clean/sync the carbs and start the cosmetic process. i want to be able to ride her while i work on her.

 

[VonYinzer]

Great bike. Get it tuned up and running right, and that thing will last for ages.

 

[gee_tee_p]

she was kept in a garage and hadn't run in about 5 years. i cleaned the plugs, got a new battery/charged, fresh gas and kicked for a few hours (no exaggeration) and she came to life. kicks only after a few tries now!

 

[Maritime]

Welcome, nice start, always good to start with a bike that runs or will easily. I like the inspiration bike a lot.

 

[CafeRacer650]

Great set of wheels man, signed on!

 

[gee_tee_p]

i'm starting to lose my mind already. i accidentally dropped her recently and have some damage. i'm looking for the part name but cannot figure it out. i can't find anything that matches when on any parts sites. even using the diagrams i can't match it up.

just need to find out what this is so i can get her running again. PLEASE HELP!

 

[onetruepunk87]

Generator cover.

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/1979-kawasaki-650-sr-kz650d/o/m150623#sch86392

 

[gee_tee_p]

i appreciate it! i was hoping it was something less expensive, i pay for my own mistakes, i guess.

 

[CoolerKing]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-1981-KZ650-KZ-650-STATOR-WITH-COVER-/400448368121?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d3c952df9&vxp=mtr

1978 and up should work for you, there's plenty to be had if you don't care if it matches or not.

 

[onetruepunk87]

Yea, definitely check around on eBay or make a post in the want section on this site before you drop 200 bucks on a new piece. I just posted the link to bike bandit to show you the parts diagram. You can also try searching "stator cover" on eBay. Good luck with the bike!

 

[gee_tee_p]

HUGE thanks for the help! i have been scouring the interwebs and have come close to pulling the trigger but haven't, i will keep digging.

my next step is wiring, i purchased turn signals and i need to wire them in.

The issue (likely a minor one): the connectors from the blinker to the bike wiring don't match i can't just plug 'em in. is it as easy as taking the old connectors to a hardware store, getting matching ones, and swapping them?

i know nothing about electrical work. i got the wiring diagram but it might as well be in hieroglyphics.

 

[onetruepunk87]

It should be as easy as changing the ends out but they might not have small enough connectors at your local hardware/auto parts store, it's worth checking though.

www.vintageconnections.com sells kits with a whole bunch of different electronic connectors if you're doing a whole lot of wiring. Check www.z1enterprises.com if you just need a handful of connectors. I'm guessing you need male end bullet connectors, this should be them http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?itemDescription=Terminal+Pin+B1+Male+10+Pk&item=KS01-0001-10

 

[hillsy]

Any auto parts shop will sell crimp connectors. You may not get a match for the ones on the bike / new indicators, but then just buy male and female and change out both ends. Get the insulated ones.

PS: Not trying to be an ass, but you probably should have left those engine guards on.

 

[gee_tee_p]

Any auto parts shop will sell crimp connectors. You may not get a match for the ones on the bike / new indicators, but then just buy male and female and change out both ends. Get the insulated ones.

PS: Not trying to be an ass, but you probably should have left those engine guards on.

you're right, i also shouldn't have been riding without bleeding the front brakes. i grabbed and they weren't there, you live and you learn.

thank you for the help!

 

[canyoncarver]

KZ's are great bikes. Keep at it.

 

[gee_tee_p]

Yea, definitely check around on eBay or make a post in the want section on this site before you drop 200 bucks on a new piece. I just posted the link to bike bandit to show you the parts diagram. You can also try searching "stator cover" on eBay. Good luck with the bike!

i found one for $25! i was so pumped when i found it, i should be getting it and installing early in the week. with the extra money i planned on spending i bought a new headlight bucket with housing, rim, and retainer and a new set of blinkers.

the blinkers i initially bought were not working out. it makes it easier because i was going to eventually get new light and blinkers.

if i can get her up and running by the weekend i'll snap some pictures. won't look much different than it does above.

 

[gee_tee_p]

ok, stator cover on after some muscling.

kicked it and she started after a few kicks. the only problem is that a carb is leaking quite a bit. that is an issue far beyond my skill set, tool set, or work space. i will be bringing my bike to a referred mechanic to give it a once over, get it street legal so i can get some riding in this summer. otherwise it will be ages before i can take her for a spin.

ill keep you posted!

 

[hillsy]

You probably have gunk in your carbs / stuck float from when it was dropped. If you have a workshop manual, it will guide you through the carb cleaning process. It's really not that hard.


Getting a mechanic to do that will cost you $$$ mainly because there's a lot of labour in getting the carbs out and getting inside them. If you can get the carbs off the bike and just take them to the mechanic to clean / adjust you will save lots of cash right there.


Then get some new fuel lines and an in-line filter.

 

[gee_tee_p]

it's been a while since i've posted any updates.

this summer quickly escaped me, i did some wrenching of my own and after a while i went the "easy" route. I went to a mechanice that works on my friend's xs400. i felt more confident going to him to do engine work. i asked him to get it running clean and road-ready. he did just that and although i spent a little money, i saved myself MUCH frustration and anguish. I now have a motorcycle that is road-worthy and I can start on the cosmetics and upgrades.

check out the images below. I updated the turn signals and brake light because the stock were loose and just not as clean as i'd like. through this winter i would really like to get some cosmetics completed and ready for early summer. I will be in a friend's wedding and all groomsmen, including the groom, will be riding to the ceremony and reception. The list is as follows:

long slim brat style seat - i'm not sure if i should work with the existing frame or cut it and add an up-sweeping loop.
rear fender- minimize or complete removal
bars- tracker/super bike
remove old cluster - add simple gauges
front fender- trim and minimize
wrap exhaust

 

[sbruton]

Your bike looks like it is in great shape! Good luck with the build. Nice to see you rode it stock for a while to figure it all out...

Have fun.