Kawasaki
Z650 Gallery
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The Z650 was one
or the bikes that helped build up the Kawasaki
reputation for powerful, bullet-proof fours;
a reputation on which they are still trading.
When it came out in 1977 it was faster than
most 750s and proved astonishingly strong and
reliable.
It was the first of a new generation of engines.
The DOHC unit used a one-piece forged crank
and plain bearings rather than the built-up,
ball and roller systems of the earlier Z900s
and Z1000s. The gearbox was so tough that the
McLaren Grand Prix team tested one and were
impressed by its level of engineering, and it
was quite capable of surviving a major blow-up
upstairs. The bike didn't change much throughout
its production run, so it stayed reasonably
priced and useable, as well as offering a host
of interchangeable parts.
It handled reasonably well, although the rear
shocks were a weak spot and later models stopped
well thanks to the first use of sintered pad
material. Over a decade after its launch, we
are still seeing the direct result of this bike,
in the guise of the GPzs and Ninjas, all built
on the bedrock of the Z650.
Four basic types of 650 were imported into
the UK: B, C, D and F. The B1 arrived in 1977
while the other three types were available concurrently
from 1980 to '82. Most of the changes were cosmetic
rather than mechanical as the engine remained
basically the same from the hi up to the last
F4 of 1983.
The B1 came in Candy Super Red or Candy Emerald
Green, with the B2 in Luminous Dark Blue or
Luminous Burnt Red. The B2 had revised caliper
position behind the fork leg modified carbs,
different generator and brake master cylinder,
diaphragm fuel tap, hazard lights and needle
bearings in the swingarm. Models up to engine
number KZ650BE 092001 used single-plate camchains
but after that they went over to Hy-Vos.
The Z650C came in Moon Dust Silver or Metallic
Regal Blue, and was smart and improved. Twin
discs went on to alloy wheels on uprated front
forks, while heavier flywheels went inside polished
crankcases. Only the C2 and C3 came to England,
with engine numbers between KZ650BE 043950 and
092001 (note camchain comments above). In 1980
came the unmistakable D, better known as the
SR, with its custom styling, and crossover pipes,
which Kawasaki claimed improved torque
| Bike |
Image |
Description |
| 1976 Kawasaki Z 650 |
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- Air cooled, four stroke, transverse
four cylinder, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder.
- 64bhp @ 8500rpm
- 211kg
- 5 speed
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| 1977 Kawasaki Z650 B1 |
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Kawasaki
Z650 Road Test |
| 1978 Kawasaki Z 650 |
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| 1978 Kawasaki Z650 B |
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| 1978 Kawasaki Z650 |
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US import. |
| 1978 Kawasaki Z650-C2 |
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| 1978 Kawasaki Z650 B1 |
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| 1978 Kawasaki Z650 C3 |
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| 1979 Kawasaki Z 650LTD |
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| 1979 Kawasaki Z 650SR |
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1979 Kawasaki Z650 |
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More Kawasaki
Z650 info.. |
| 1979 Kawasaki Z 650C (KZ650C) |
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1979 Kawasaki Z650C |
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| 1979 Kawasaki Z650B1 |
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| 1980 Kawasaki Z650 |
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| 1980 Kawasaki Z 650F |
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| 1981 Kawasaki Z650 CSR |
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| 1981 Kawasaki Z650 CSR |
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| 1982 Kawasaki Z650 |
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| 1984 Kawasaki Z650-F4 |
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worth adding to our database, e-mail: webmaster@motorbike-search-engine.co.uk
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