prkrman
Veteran Member
Well I suppose it was bound to happen eventually. Found too good of a deal only a couple miles from my house. Three bikes for $350, a 1980(?) CB650, 1981 CB650, and a something or other Kawasaki KZ650. Only the bare frame for the 1981 CB650 is titled, and the rest are considered barn finds, untouched for several years after he bought them that way. The guy even helped load and deliver them to my house, which was great. I'll admit that I don't really have a lot of time to dedicate to these currently, but my friend has been wanting a bike for the longest time but is too darn cheap to buy anything, so I made the decision for him 
Maybe I'll make a mechanic out of him yet.
He likes all the modded cafe racer stuff, so maybe one of them will turn into that. There isn't a whole lot left of the '81 model, so there's plenty of room for mods if he'd like it. The twice-previous owner reportedly had the wiring harness catch on fire, so all of the parts have the wires chopped. Entirely new harness 100% required. I had originally thought the two CB650's were the same model, but they definitely aren't. The engines are radically different and there likely won't be much compatible between the two.
The KZ650 seems mostly complete, all side covers and exhaust intact, but the motor is locked up (actually all three of these motors are locked up, but we'll tackle that as we go), so it'll get the PB blaster spa treatment for a while. Even still has the proper carbs and airbox, but a couple weird bits on the rear end. I don't have any plans for this bike, I mainly wanted the other two. Part of me wants to part it out to fund the other two, but I'm not sure yet. The inside of the tank is disgusting and full of varnish.
The 1980(?) CB650 is in alright shape, no side covers and the airbox/carbs are removed (but still in the pile of parts!). All the JIS heads on the carbs are looking good, so they may have been untouched. We can only hope. I could not find an ignition on it and there was no key provided, this model has it on the left hand side, correct? The exhaust has been chopped off, so that needs to be replaced. I also feel silly asking this, but how the heck do I open this gas tank? I fumbled with the latch for a while but got nowhere. All of the seats are also destroyed other than the crappy cafe-styled one.
The '81 CB650 is, well, disassembled, but there's a lot of the important parts here. The frame is intact but the badges and model plate were removed. I did find these in a bag, thankfully, but they need to be reattached. Also needs a decent coat of paint/powdercoat. I don't think that the orange tank included is the correct one, but the inside is almost spotless. I was shocked how good it looks. I have what looks like both the 4-into-2 exhausts and the headers, some disgusting orange painted side covers, the gauges, rack of carbs, forks, newer Comstar wheels, and essentially all the rest of the support components. Also an entire engine that somebody started disassembling; the head is loose but they did not get past the valves as the cam chain is still attached and preventing further disassembly. Plenty to make something out of, but what to do is the main question. I have the key and title for this one, but haven't found the ignition.
There's also some fat aftermarket tank that's in good shape too. I'm not a fan of it, but it looks nice. Could do something with it. Plenty of rust and patina on everything but that's entirely expected.
I think at this point I need to join the SOHC-4 forum too.
Maybe I'll make a mechanic out of him yet. He likes all the modded cafe racer stuff, so maybe one of them will turn into that. There isn't a whole lot left of the '81 model, so there's plenty of room for mods if he'd like it. The twice-previous owner reportedly had the wiring harness catch on fire, so all of the parts have the wires chopped. Entirely new harness 100% required. I had originally thought the two CB650's were the same model, but they definitely aren't. The engines are radically different and there likely won't be much compatible between the two.
The KZ650 seems mostly complete, all side covers and exhaust intact, but the motor is locked up (actually all three of these motors are locked up, but we'll tackle that as we go), so it'll get the PB blaster spa treatment for a while. Even still has the proper carbs and airbox, but a couple weird bits on the rear end. I don't have any plans for this bike, I mainly wanted the other two. Part of me wants to part it out to fund the other two, but I'm not sure yet. The inside of the tank is disgusting and full of varnish.
The 1980(?) CB650 is in alright shape, no side covers and the airbox/carbs are removed (but still in the pile of parts!). All the JIS heads on the carbs are looking good, so they may have been untouched. We can only hope. I could not find an ignition on it and there was no key provided, this model has it on the left hand side, correct? The exhaust has been chopped off, so that needs to be replaced. I also feel silly asking this, but how the heck do I open this gas tank? I fumbled with the latch for a while but got nowhere. All of the seats are also destroyed other than the crappy cafe-styled one.
The '81 CB650 is, well, disassembled, but there's a lot of the important parts here. The frame is intact but the badges and model plate were removed. I did find these in a bag, thankfully, but they need to be reattached. Also needs a decent coat of paint/powdercoat. I don't think that the orange tank included is the correct one, but the inside is almost spotless. I was shocked how good it looks. I have what looks like both the 4-into-2 exhausts and the headers, some disgusting orange painted side covers, the gauges, rack of carbs, forks, newer Comstar wheels, and essentially all the rest of the support components. Also an entire engine that somebody started disassembling; the head is loose but they did not get past the valves as the cam chain is still attached and preventing further disassembly. Plenty to make something out of, but what to do is the main question. I have the key and title for this one, but haven't found the ignition.
There's also some fat aftermarket tank that's in good shape too. I'm not a fan of it, but it looks nice. Could do something with it. Plenty of rust and patina on everything but that's entirely expected.
I think at this point I need to join the SOHC-4 forum too.
