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1979 Kawasaki KZ 650

Some people might complain about chopping up a classic but this old girl had a tree fall on her while sitting in some guy's backyard. She hadn't been on the road in twenty years at that time and was pretty rough as it was. Engine was seized, chipmunks living in the airbox and generally crusty all over. Had a title though and a haul-it-away price which made her hard to resist.

KZ Bobber Right Front - February '09

At first there really wasn't a vision involved in building this bike. It started out as a parting out project to support my Road Star habit but once I started stripping her down the lines of the possible frame mods came to me. Influenced by old Triumph and BSA chops, a hard-tail that was a little lower and longer was what I was seeing.

KZ Bobber Right Front - Fall '08

Make and Model	1979 Kawasaki KZ650
Color	Russet
Suggested Retail Price	$1995.00 in 1979
Engine	652 cc (39.79 cid) air cooled DOHC inline 4-cylinder
Bore x Stroke	2.44 x 2.13 in (62 mm x 54 mm)
Compression Ratio	9.5:1
Carburetion	4 x 24 mm Mikuni VM 24ss with Emgo filter pods
Ignition System	Dyna S electronic ignition with 3ohm coils
Transmission	5-speed, wet clutch, 530 chain drive
Gears	16 tooth front, 42 tooth rear
Final Ratio	2.63:1
Horsepower	64 bhp at 8500 rpm stock
Torque	42 lbs-ft at 7000 rpm stock
Standing Quarter Mile	14.5 sec @ 98 mph stock
Estimated Top Speed	120 mph stock
Fuel Tank Capacity	3.8 gal (4.4 gal stock)
Average Miles Per Gallon	44 mpg
Dry Weight	450 lbs estimated (465 lbs stock)
Frame	Rigid weld-on tail, 7 inch rear leg stretch about 1 lower than stock
Wheelbase	63 in (55.9 in stock)
Seat Height	26 in (31.9 in stock)
Ground Clearance	4.5 in (5.7 in stock)
Steering Head Angle	27°
Front Wheel Trail	4.3 in
Front Tire	3.50-19
Rear Tire	4.00-18
Front Brake	Single 9.6 in (244 mm) disc
Rear Brake	Single 7.1 in (180 mm) drum
Bars	Police KZ
Tank	KZ750 Twin on modified mounts w/ Pingel valve
Rear Fender	70's Honda CB chopped about 6 inches
Seat	Generic eBay cheapo on 3 inch springs
Head Light	Bates style Flanders on fabbed mount
Tail Light/Plate	Model-A Duo Lamp on fabbed vertical plate mount
Tach	1966 Chevelle knee knocker on a fabbed mount
Oil Tank	Spun steel center vented holding electronics
Controls	Fabbed forward pegs with rear brake pedal
Shifter	Right hand tank shift - 1 back, 4 forward
Exhaust	Fabbed glass-packs on cut down stock head pipes

To come up with dimensions for the tail, the front end was left on the bike and the frame was placed on blocks to get the lower tubes parallel with the ground. Running the back half's upper tubes inline with the backbone of the stock frame gave the most stretch possible while maintaining a somewhat balanced look. This also gave the position of the rear wheel and the length of the new upper and lower tubes. The bends in the upper and lower tubes were dictated by the intersection point of the stock frame's rear leaning upright tube.

KZ Bobber Right Rear - February '09

There is no paint on this bike. The russet finish was arrived at by stripping the paint, pouring muriatic acid on the bare steel to etch it and then repeatedly spraying hydrogen peroxide on the bare metal. Once everything had a good coating of rust going it was rubbed down with boiled linseed oil. When that dried things were hit lightly with red scotch-brite to break down the shine.

KZ Bobber Left Front - February '09

The goal with this project was never to end up with a show-piece but rather to build a chopped rat bike as cheaply as possible from what was laying around the shop. So far the only new parts have been the seat, tires, grips, tail light and oil tank, ignition and wiring. Everything else I had laying around, was made by hand, or found online. Total outlay for the project to date is less than $500 with sales of other old parts and what-not funding most of it. Beer not included.

KZ Bobber Left Rear - February '09