Z650, KZ650, zapper Kawa 650 Z650F, Z650B, Z650SR, Z650C, Z650LTD, KZ650LTD, KZ650SR, KZ650F, KZ650B, KZ650C

Last Updated:

22/06/2016

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Last update: 05. juni 2016

               
 

This Z650 site have had an full restoration. All pages have been updated. Faults have been correct. Every version of the Z650 have been looked after, mostly to make it easier to tell the difference between the models. There are over 100 new pictures and some nice to have stuff in the "File" section. If have any "nice to have information" about the Z650, pictures, corrections etc, please email me. And to all you who have sent me picture and information.  THANKS!!

First out: This picture are all from the original international launch of the Z650 in Scotland, 1976. (The color pictures) And there are three original publicity photos, including a cut- away engine photo. The pictures was VERY BIG, the ones at right are all reduce in size. The ones Below are in the original size. (from 1 to 6 Mb)

Thanks to Neil Murray who sent this outstanding pictures, and the story behind them.

Same pictures as above, but in its original "mega" size.
 
                     
 
     
 
B1
1976-1977
 
   

 

 
 
B2
1978
 
   

 

 
 
B3
1979
 
   

 

 
 
1977 C1
Source: www.kawa-z650.de
 
   

 

 
 
1978 C2
Source: www.kawa-z650.de
 
   

 

 
 
C3
1979
 
   

 

 
 
C4
1980
 
   

 

 
 
LTD
1980
 
   

 

 
 
1978 D1 (SR)
Source: www.kawa-z650.de
 
     
 
D2 (SR)
1979
 
     
     
     
A brief Story
 

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. 

 
   
 
     
 

 
 

Engine details KZ650B2 78

 
     
 

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

 
   
   
   
   
 

 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.

     
 

 
 

 Z650B1 drawing

 
     
 
   
   
   
   
 

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.

 
 
     
 

 
 

 Z650 details (B1 or B2)

 
     
 

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.

 
     
     
 

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.

 
   
 

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

 
     
 

 
 

 Z650C details 1978

 
     
 
   
   
   
 

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

 
 
     
 

 
 

 Z650SR Engine details (bad quality pic)

 
     
 

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.

 
   
   
 

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.

 
   
 

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.

     
 

 
 

 Z650F2 details 1982

 
     
 
   
 

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.

 
 
 
     
 
D3 (SR)
1980
 
   

 

 
 
D4 (SR)
1981
 
   

 

 
 
F1
1980
 
   

 

 
 
F2 (not original color)
1981
 
   

 

 
 
1982 F3
Source: www.kawa-z650.de
 
   

 

 
 
F4
1983
 
   

 

 
 
H1 (CSR not original color)
1981
 
   

 

 
 
H2  (CSR)*
1982
 
   

 

 
 
H3  (CSR)
1983
 
     
     
   

 

 

 

 

 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
       
   
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