Kawasaki z650-F2 Cafe racer build.

[PV50]

Hello!

So i´m no longer a spectator as I just purchased my first projekt bike, a Kawasaki z650. I have been wanting to do this for a long time but all my time have gone in to my other projekts the previous of years. Been building a Pro Touring 1970 Chevelle from the ground up.

I have not even got the bike home yet as the guy I bought it from isn't home from a trip, but tomorrow I am picking it up. It's fully drivable and the engine has been overhauled so it is just the exterior part that needs some tweaking and engine cleanup.

Here is a picture from the day I went to look att the bike.

SO that is were I'm at and now. I have alot of ideas on what I want to do but feel free to give me some tips one what you would like to see.

I would for example like to change the wheels to spoke wire wheels but i have nooooo ide of how to go about this.... or maybe paint the original in some cool color?

 

[doc_rot]

Welcome to the forum. Just out of curiosity, where are you located? North america never saw the F2, and the only one i have ever seen on the web was in Argentina.

Unfortunately the F2 appears to have the newer style forks and wheels so a wheel swap for spokes will not be bolt on. The easiest route to get spoked wheels would probably get a whole front end from a 1980 or earlier z650; the forks, wheels, rotors, and brakes are all different. Measure your rear axle if its 17mm the spoked kz650 wheels should work out, although you may need some spacers. I personally love spoked wheels, but I think the mags that came on Kawis in the 70's and early 80's look pretty good as they are copies of Morris Mags.

I would recommend checking out kz650.info There is a wealth of technical info on wheel swaps and the like over there. Do yourself a favor and get some better shocks. The stock ones were horribly soft from the factory and 35 years later they haven't gotten any better. Looks like a fun project, nice exhaust.

 

[PV50]

Thank's doc_rot

I'm located in Finland. Went over to kz650.info and read up on the model, it seems so share a lot of parts with the Z750E.

The exhaust is actually brand new Motad 4 to 1 system that the previous owner just put on the bike.

Picked up the bike today and it really puts a smile on my face, I've just been on a short cruise when todays to do list was very long. But now I have the bike at home so as soon sa I get one minute over I'm out there to start the disassemble.