A brief
Story
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The
success of the Z1 and Z900 made it possible for Kawasaki to make a
new model to follow the success of the bigger bikes. Kawasaki went
for a 650 instead of the more common 750 class. Kawasaki with
designer Ben Inamura (also responsible for the Z1) re-invented
the 650 class with their new Z650 in 1976. The bike was a
instant hit with its 64hp engine and light weight. The top
speed was nearly 200kmh, but the best, it handled like no other
Kawasaki before.
The initial premiere
took place in London on the Ingliston track, were the world press
had the opportunity to see and test the machine for the first time.
It was announced as a bike that the impressive performance of the
500 and 750 CC three cylinder 2-stroke engines combines with the
look of the Z900. As well as the 4 in 2 exhaust system as the
huge cylinder head makes you think that you have to do with a Z750
rather than a Z650.
The
engine block itself looks like a smaller version of the block of a
Z900, but the factory claimed that it was a complete new design.
During its lifetime the
Z650 gained a reputation as a good and reliable
all-round bike. It was build until 1983, and followed up by the liquid
cooled GPZ600 of Kawasaki.
The Z650
under went a few improvements during the time it was built. |
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Engine details
KZ650B2 78 |
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The first model out was the B1
produced from 1976/77
This four-stroke
four-cylinder motorcycle boasted double overhead camshafts just like
the bigger Z1 and Kawasaki claimed 64 HP from the 652cc motor.
Unlike the Z1, the 650 used a plain bearing crankshaft and used a
primary drive chain instead of a gear driven unit. A single 245mm
disk was used up front with a 250mm drum on the rear, more than
enough to handle this relatively lightweight bike. It was offered in
three colors, candy super red, candy emerald green and
candy emerald blue |
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Next out Z650B2
1978..
Two colors were offered for 1978, luminous dark blue or luminous
burnt red. These proved to be unpopular and the B2 sold no where
near as well as the B1. Very few other differences were made to the
B2. The front brake caliper was reversed to the back of the fork
leg, the front forks were slightly modified. and the front master cylinder was changed from a round item to a
triangular one. The charging system was changed from a three-phase
system to a two phase and the regulator and rectifier was now a
combined unit. |
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Z650B1
drawing |
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The fuel tap was replaced with a
diaphragm type unit. There were also slight detail changes to the
outer engine cases to incorporate the new lower case Kawasaki logo.
Needle roller bearings were now used in the swing arm
instead of the previous model bushes and slight modifications were
made to the carbs to improve low speed operation.
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Z650
details (B1 or B2) |
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Then
the Z650B3 1979
The most significant difference over the
B2 model was a change of graphics and a return to the original green
and red colors. Sales once again picked up. The new lower case tank
badges were also used. This time the red color was described as
candy persimmon red.
The front footrests were now rubber
mounted to combat vibration and The cam chain tensioner was changed
to an automatic unit and a hazard switch was added to the left-hand
switchgear. |
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The Z650C1 & C2 1977-78
This was better known as the Z650 CUSTOM. The C1 came in the colors
Metallic Regal Blue, Moon Dust Silver.
The C2
was only offered in one color
metallic stardust silver, the same color as the recently launched
Z1-R. The motor was a standard B2 unit but the custom was much
modified elsewhere. Kawasaki fitted seven spoke alloy wheels with
twin disks up front and a disk at the rear. The bold new graphics
made this model stand out from the crowd and the C was a very good
seller. |
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New brakes, the
Z650C3-4 1979-80
The C3 was the first Kawasaki model to
use the new all weather sintered disk pads and braking in the wet
was much improved. The bike was once again only offered in one
color, luminous dark blue. The Speedo now incorporated KPH markings
as well as MPH and the rear caliper was changed to accept the new
square sintered pads. The side panel badges were also slightly
changed. Many considered the C3 to be the best of the range. The
last C was the C4 available in
Candy Persimmon Red,
Black Pearl from 1980 |
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Z650C
details 1978 |
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Z650D1&
D2 known as the SR 1978-79
Rumor was that the SR stood for
'STATESIDE REPLICA' and this was what Kawasaki thought a replica
should be!. It was basically a C2 with slightly 'chopper' styling.
Chrome plating was used on the headlamp shell, clock lowers and
chain guard. The rear tailpiece was dropped in place of a painted
rear fender. The front exhaust down pipes were crossed over and the
mufflers were made a bit shorter. Only one color was offered for
the D1;
Candy
Persimmon Red. the D2 came
in two colors;
Midnight Blue and Candy Persimmon Red.
The rear wheel was now a small but fat 16-inch item for that
all-important custom look. The D1 had "old" brakes from the C2 and
the D2 the new from the C3. In America there was also a E model,
which were very similar but with less equipment, only one disc at
front and a drum at rear. The Z650LTD is similar to the SR |
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Z650SR
Engine details (bad quality pic) |
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Z650D3 & D4 1980-81 D3:
The only difference over the D2 was a change in color and graphics.
It was now offered in
Metallic Midnight
Blue, Midnight Blue.
D4: This model came in either
Sundance Blue,
Luminous Wine Red,
It had electronic ignition. A SR version of the F2 model.
Z650F1 1980 the
last series.
The F1 was basically a cross between a C and a B model. It had the
alloy wheels but kept the drum brake at the rear instead of a disk.
It was offered in three colors, blue, red or green.
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Z650F2
1981 improvements. The
F2 was much modified over the F1 model. It incorporated many of the
larger Z750E parts. The motor was now finished in black and used CDI
ignition instead of points. The front end from the 750E was grafted
on meaning a change to the brakes, front wheel and clocks. It was
offered in three colors, red, green or blue. The kick-starter pedal
and shaft was removed from the engine just like the Z750E. A
passenger grab rail was also fitted. |
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Z650F3 82
There was one major change for 1982, CV
carbs were fitted. The larger 32mm carbs also needed the air box
assembly from the Z750E/L models. The F3 was offered in two colors,
ebony or passion red. The front fender was now also painted to match
the rest of the bodywork.
Z650F4 83 the last one
This was the last of the 650
models, Kawasaki was now concentrating on the GPZ range and there
was no place for this previous best seller. The F4 was offered in
two colors, galaxy silver or candy wine red. The outer engine cases
were similar to the Z750L model. |
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Z650F2
details 1982 |
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Z650E1
1980 & H 1981-1983
The E
was a hybrid for the US marked sold as the KZ650LTD, it had 60hp,
single front disc and drum rear. The H1-H3 was another US hybrid
sold as the KZ650CSR with 19 and 16 inch wire-spoke wheels. |
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