Parted out my XV920, added a KZ650

[red78ta]

So I decided it was time to part out the '82 Virago 920, sold it all off in about 3 weeks, ended up with about $650 cash in my pocket, so i started looking for a project, i've been wanting a bike with a kicker.  Last Sunday I drove 3.5hrs and picked up this new (to me), 1979 KZ650C for $200. Haven't tried to run her yet, PO said it ran rough last year but he thought it needed a mechanic to get it running right. So far I've found a dirty, nasty air filter, what sounds like sand in the tank (no gas in there), clogged up fuel filter and overall dirty condition of the bike, so i'm optimistic that a good cleaning will be all she needs to fire up.  He also gave me an extra rack of carbs and the old clutch.

[hppants]

Definitely a project, but for $200.00 and a day's drive, I don't think you coud go too wrong.

What made you decide to part out the big V?

[ariwhiteboy]

Sweet score! Look forward to seeing the progress. 

[red78ta]

Hp, the V wasn't going anywhere and for some reason I got this real strong desire to get a kickstart ride.  I had had the V running before, but was planning on doing a bunch of mods and customizing it, and i just wasn't getting out to the garage to get it done, guess i just wasn't feeling it anymore and I got the urge for a kicker project.  And yea this KZ is a project, but like you said for $200 and a $60 in gas... I coudln't really say no.

Ari, I'll def post up my progress with it. Its going to be a long rebuild, i'm figuring at least a year, with having to work only at night when the kids are asleep and in b/w quality time with SOQS, i'm giving myself time.  Plus that'll give me time to add funds for the project too :)  But I'll keep ya'll up on it.

So far I've just cleaned a few things.  Turns out all the rust I've cleaned so far has come off pretty easy with some neverdull.  I haven't touched the exhuast yet, i'm going to try and save it as its a $400 Kerker system, there is some bad rust on the tops of the pipes below the engine, but I won't know how bad until I get it all stripped off, its also dented in some on the bottom, but elbow grease would beat spending $400 on a new one.  We'll see.

[m98]

Great score!

Strong engine on the 650, here is a site you will find useful: http://www.z1enterprises.com/

Seems you know the drill already, fun isn't it?!

Paul

[red78ta]

Great score!

Strong engine on the 650, here is a site you will find useful: http://www.z1enterprises.com/

Seems you know the drill already, fun isn't it?!

Paul

Haha, oh yea, I've already been on Z1 listing out parts i may need and getting a $$ tally going.  Hopefully I won't  need EVERYTHING they have :)

[coffee_brake]

My buddy's got an all-origianal 650 just like yours, rides the snot out of it. It's a good-running bike when you get it all sorted out, and there's no sound like those old KZ's....

[red78ta]

thanks CB, i just have a really good feeling about this bike :)

[red78ta]

oh hey, here is the original pic the guy texted me after i talked to him, kidna gives an idea what it was like when i 1st saw it...

[coffee_brake]

That makes me truly sad.

[red78ta]

I know.  I mean I understand not everyone has a garage, but really it was in a makeshift shed, a tarp over it would have prevented that...  I had to break the front tire loose from the snow, and totally remove the minibike next to it from the snow to get the KZ out.  I was glad i wore my steel toe boots and brought a pari of gloves... but she's safe and sound now in my garage 

[red78ta]

It was nuts too, I was supposed to meet the guy at 8am at his place, i showed up at 7am and he wasn't there, and his phone was off and no one answered his door.  Long story short, at 1030 i finally got a hold of him and turned out he got drunk the night before and fell asleep at someone's house and had just woken up... he was home 30min later and by then i had the bike loaded up in my minivan and ready to go.

[red78ta]

I'm deep in this project :)  Time for a break :) I've been spending every spare minute (not many of those these days) wrenching, and I hit a big milestone today...  I'm glad I can still ride the NH b/c there is no turning back now.  Also, I busted the window out of the minivan by accidnetally kicking up a rock when i was weed wacking, so the wife is using the car until the window gets fixed in a few days and i "have" to ride the NH, oh boo hoo :)

[red78ta]

i've gotten a little further along on the KZ. had to build more storage shelves and i got sent TAD for a bit so its been on hold, but hopefully i'll be able to make steady progress on it for a while.
 starting the setup to make a fiberglass seat, and got the rubber off the rims, it'll need new tubes and tires.

[Count de Monet]

looking good.  I wish I had the space and patience for a project bike.  (A little mechanical aptitude might help as well.  )  Every time i start to work on one of our vehicles, I remember why I work on computers!

[red78ta]

Thanks Count!  Wrecking the XV920 really helped b/c it gave me a good excuse to dig into a bike.  Now it seems much easier to pick things up as I go. And building the shelves in my garage made a BIG space for me to work :)

Here are some clean carbs, gotta do some detailing and put 'em back together:

[red78ta]

Making slow progress, got the wheels back from powder coat :)  Wish I had my own PC setup, if I didn't move all the time i would set up a system, maybe when i settle down.
They aren't as limey as they seem in the picture, but bright none the less.

[fortyhourdays]

Those rims look awesome!

[red78ta]

Thanks Jon!

[jerjohn]

  How did I miss this thread? Lookin good 

[red78ta]

Well I haven't been around much, i think as i stop riding b/c of winter i tend to stop posting as much 

[red78ta]

making progress little by little...
had to fit test some things...

banged some knee cutouts into the tank


and stripped the paint

[lobre87]

love this! subscribed and cant wait to see more progress!