BF Auction: 1978 Kawasaki KZ650SR
- Seller: Albert G
- Location: Novi, Michigan
- Mileage: 13,000 Shown
- Chassis #: KZ650D006348
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 650
- Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
UPDATE – The seller has added videos of this Kawasaki running.
“Floats like a butterfly, stings like a Z.” says a brochure touting the attributes of the Kawasaki KZ650SR, bravely comparing it to the famous Kawasaki KZ1000 superbike. As an all-around mid-range bike, the KZ650 had a lot going on, and by adding a few “SR” bits, there wasn’t much to complain about. This 1978 Kawasaki KZ650SR is listed here as a Barn Finds Auction, so check out the photos and get your bids in!
Factory customs, boulevard cruisers, mild choppers, or however a person likes to define the rash of late-1970s-early-1980s laid-back cruiser-style motorcycles, almost every maker offered one, including Kawasaki. The fine engineers at Kawasaki created what was known to be a really nice cruiser in the SR. They already made the KZ650, but the SR model added a 16″ rear wheel instead of the 18″ rear wheel on the regular KZ—a four-into-one exhaust, painted fenders, and much more. This one could use new tires, according to the seller.
A really nice seating position with comfortable handlebars is another feature. You can see that this example is wearing an aftermarket exhaust system, it should be chrome with a full exhaust. The seller refers to it as a project bike, even though it looks fantastic to me. They say they received this KZ in boxes and proceeded to put Humpty back together again and added many new parts along the way, including new brakes front and rear, the gas tank was resealed and also repainted, along with both fenders, there’s a new chain and sprockets, a new battery, and much more.
This one has around 13,000 miles on it and the engine has been resealed and there’s a new electronic ignition. The official name for this bike is a 1978 Kawasaki KZ650D SR, and the “D” is actually a D1 to note a 1978 model. The 1979 version was almost identical but is referred to as a D2. The ’78 bikes came in this one color only, Candy Persimmon Red. These bikes were designed by a gent named Ben Inamura who thought they could fill the gap just under the Z900 that we all know and love. They were made from 1977 through 1982.
The engine is Kawasaki’s 652-cc DOHC inline-four with a factory horsepower rating of 62 along with 41 lb-ft of torque. It sends power through a five-speed manual transmission (shifter on the left side), and the seller mentions that this one could use some carb work as they aren’t factory originals, which would have been smaller 22mm versions for 1978. We don’t know which versions are on this example, but the seller thinks they need to be re-jetted for it to run its best. Check out the photos and get your bids in, this would be a nice and competent cruiser.
Bid On This Auction
655.00 bid $765.00 2024-09-21 14:54:14
DA72bid $500.00 2024-09-20 16:12:25
$200 bid $200.00 2024-09-19 17:56:59
Jack bid $100.00 2024-09-16 22:34:34
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Comments
I think the Z they’d be referring to in the ‘sting like a Z’ line would be the 900cc Z-1, which practically cemented the ‘superbike’ term into the biking lexicon.
I agree. It set a new benchmark for sure. I bought a like new but used 900 Z-1 from the bike shop in Denver where I was working in the parts department at the time. The owner traded it in on a Suzuki and when I saw it I knew it had to be mine. I was blown away the first time I rode it. I’d had a 650 BSA Lightening, a Harley chopper and rode a borrowed Triumph 650 prior to that, but none of them were even remotely close to the Z-1. It was unbelievably fast and it handled like a dream. My BSA topped out at 117 and was iffy in handling but even at 120 the 900 Z-1 was steady, and I knew it would do more but I didn’t have the nerve to do it so I never did. If you’re interested there’s a Documentary on YouTube of Kawasaki doing a 24hr speed and endurance test at Daytona in ’73 and they broke the world record. It’s well worth watching.. the guys riding even had cameras on their helmets so it’s the next best thing to being there.
Is there any way to put a video of it running on here?
I have these two videos:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vQeAV7HTVpHjcjVIgAnRjSfv7pQXVR4B/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vP8lVHYX5X2geAOKH4UppJ9X6Kx_NHB3/view?usp=drivesdk
Regards,
Albert.
It sounds like it’s running on 3 1/2 cyliders. Check the carb sync
Cool bike. Always Love to see the motorcycles on here. 62hp this will move along nicely. Sorting the carbs on some of these old bikes requires a knowledgeable hand ✋️ sometimes, they’re difficult.
Aw, ding dong diddly crap, I miss my motorcyling, more than ever, and BFs isn’t helping. I had a good friend, that died at 47 on the operating table for a routine surgery, had the LTD 650, and was a very nice bike. While this violates my “nothing less than 750” rule, 650 is close enough, provided it’s a 4 cylinder. British the exception, as well. A guy on FB had a Honda CB 1000 Custom, LIKE NEW, every bit as good as a Z1, and far more plentiful, $1900,,,dang, I just don’t know about 2 wheels after the “accident” on my bike. Get back on the horse and ride? Yeah, try it sometime, and at 70, I think I’ll just stick with the Jeep. Good time to buy a bike.
Howard how about a 1cyl exception? Those 650 enduro thumpers are fantastic versatile motorcycles 😎
Hi Stan, well, I don’t really care for any single after that dismal DRZ 400, except maybe that Honda Trail 90 I’ve been looking at. My off-road days on a motorcycle are sadly over, the Trail 90 would be my “anti E-bike” solution, and while BMW makes an unbelievable dual sport, they don’t appeal to me anymore.
Sold mine recently too and it’s an empty feeling when the garage door opens..
Nothing to stop someone from renting a bike if the withdrawals hit though! EagleRider might be right up your alley, Howard. https://www.eaglerider.com/
Howie those 90 Hondas are cool machines. 😎 There’s some nice Enduro 250s now too offered. I call em sight seeing 🏕 bikes. Nice for in town, and easy trail riders, low hp. Great mpg 👍 ⛽️
Howard, I had the same 750 rule too. The misses would say I needed a bike for “economy reasons”. She started at a scooter, I stood my ground. My argument was I needed a bike with torque, two ways to avoid an accident, brake or excelerate, 9 times out of 10 braking will kill you.
Then she’d make me sell the bike, then, well, rince repeat, lol.
I’m curious, was a 4 into 1 exhaust standard?
I’m 88, my son gave me a 1978 Yamaha DT175 enduro on which I’ve put new brakes, cleaned the carb, new plug and now ride – slowly! – in the woods. Great exercise. (Name is Kenn. Couldn’t edit.)
Glad that lighting technology has reached the point where such a large taillight lump as built on this bike is no longer necessary for safe riding.
I used to own one of these, and I’ve never seen an exhaust pipe that exits on the left. Strange.
It needs a Kerker or Russ Collins pipe.
4 into 1 left side did exist but rare
Wow! That was my first street bike. 17 years old, I was the 3rd owner. As you said, the SR gave it a few extra goodies, one I remember was the dual disc brakes up front. Mine also came with crash bars, a massive sissy bar with a large leather pack off the rear, (that held a case of cans if took them out of the box. ;) . I put a Kerker on it, some better mirrors, better grips, highway pegs and road that bike everywhere. It was a great bike that did just fine on the back roads or the highway. Thanks for the memories. :)
o0O,
very close to mine since ‘82, a KZ750B.
Same color, yr, but 2 cyl & 100 more cc.
Luck to Albert/Jack, seller/buyer, others involved~
I raced one of them with m suzuki 450L and I won the guy was not happy
The KZ 650SR had a distinctive stock crossover exhaust system that is unfortunately missing here. So many people dumped it for a 4 into 1 system…….
Don’t let bigger carbs scare you, they are pretty much self regulating.
Great bike and the dual discs are welcome.
While working at a Kawasaki dealer, i boight my first new bike. A ‘78 KZ650 B1 that went to Daytona in ‘77 and set or tied 12 750 class records with basically a stock bike. I would blow away any other 650, put down Honda 750s for lunch, and hold off KZ900s for more than half the 1/4. That bike screamed. Wanted the CR, but working at dealership settled on KZ. 80 degrees when I bought it (in MI), snowing when i rode it he. By the time I could ride it, could’ve had a CR. Oh well. Surprised this ome does not have a stepped seat rather than a flat one. Still thinking about bidding, nice bike.
I had the Z-1 900,sold it twice, bought it back twice,think it was more than the guys wanted, I remember a guy that had his 650 all tricked out they were nice bikes
Albert G thank you for the videos.
Roger
I have had most of the kz z1 rs and smaller ones , thea we’re know as the Q ships very fast for an 80s machine had a 78 pre smog that ran 11 sec at terminal Island California
I see many comments about the exhaust pipe so I would like to clarify this topic. The current exhaust on the bike is not original, this is what I bought the bike with. I wish I could replace it sooner. However I have a KZ750 original exhaust, which would fit on this model but needs some repair. The bike comes with some spare parts I received, including the exhaust.
I agree with the fact that the current exhaust is not worthy to the bike. If there are any more questions, I am happy to answer them.
Albert G.
If the new owner is absolutely set on a OEM exhaust system they’re all over the ‘Net, and aftermarket stuff too.
Very cool 650, Albert G-great find but i wish I’d found it first😆
GLWTA!
U Go Albert !
The bid increment has been reduced.
I had one of these exactly like this in the mid 90s, same color too! It was a fun bike and had more than enough power, I rode it just about everywhere from around town to day-long rides. I haven’t seen one like this since I sold mine-until now! One thing about the SR, mine was completely stock including the exhaust. The SRs had unique head pipes that looked a little like spaghetti. They didn’t just come down straight in front of the engine like most exhaust pipes did, instead they crossed over each other.