Z500 for 500

[Valheru70]

Hi Gents,

have been looking for a while for a z650 to add to the stable (hard to find in WA) but a cheap 1980 z500 has come up as a fixer, I know these had cam chain and tensioner problems but my question is are they worth doing up?

cheers

DJ

[Gosling1]

they are a lot of fun to ride - although they don't go as hard as the 650/750 motors, you can do some upgrading with the GPz550 model of 1983/4.

If the one you are interested in has good bodywork and is cheap - grab it. Engine parts should not be too hard to source, even if you have to go to US ebay to get them. The cam chain and tensioner in these models was really no better or worse than any of the other small-capacity kwakka fours, a new cam chain and tensioner should be fitted to any motor that has had some internal work anyway (pistons, rings etc).

Are they *worth* doing up ?? Well........not really. There is no real market for these models in terms of being 'collectable' or anything like that. They are just a good, fun mid-sized 4-cyl kwakka, with the right exhaust they sound almost like a z900 , and on a good day you may be able to squeeze almost 200kmh out of one..........on a good day.........

[Valheru70]

thanks Gos, I have found a z650 on ebay that is tempting as well. hmmmm decisions, I guess if I was going to go to the lengths of restoring one it may as well be a 650 as they seem to have a following (not like the 1's and 9's tho ).

[Gosling1]

no worries mate - the 650 is a much better bet. These ones are definitely worth doing up....Mick C has a ripper called the Silver Surfer, there should be a few photos of it on the site here, just do a search - and I also have a 650 daily hack. Great bikes, and capable of emnbarrasing much larger sports bikes, if you ride them with a wicked demeanour ....

[Whickle]

no worries mate - the 650 is a much better bet. These ones are definitely worth doing up....Mick C has a ripper called the Silver Surfer, there should be a few photos of it on the site here, just do a search - and I also have a 650 daily hack. Great bikes, and capable of emnbarrasing much larger sports bikes, if you ride them with a wicked demeanour ....

True words he speaks....

The 650's Gos has mentioned are well known around these parts (Canberra) to hold their own on just about any local road and then some..... They also offer a little more power than the 500/550. But by the sounds of it, your doing one up to collect. Only you know what you want, but you cant go wrong if its a Kawasaki

If you want the 500 for its power, you might just be dissapointed.....

[Valheru70]

Yea , it will be to do up to collect, I have always liked the 650 for the fun retro aspect , this is the one I am looking at at the moment, looks to be an unmolested F1.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/KAWASAKI-Z650_W0 ... 414a83f2f4

will cost 700 to get to WA but they are slim pickings around here.

DJ

[Gosling1]

that F1 is exactly the same model as the one I picked up locally off ebay last year. Great bike

[Valheru70]

Thanks for the info Gos and Whickle , am actively chasing a 650 now , is hard being in WA though