650 kat

R

ronin322

Hi all, new member here
I've owned my 83 1100 for 30 years & picked up a 650 kat yesterday
My 1100 is unreg the 650 is reg & runs. I found this site while looking for a manual for the 650, yesterday was my first ride in 10 years so I'm keen to get out there, the guy I bought it from has dementia so I dealt with his daughter, seems he maintained it reasonably well but I don't have any recent service history
Motor sounds good & there are a lot of little things that need attention
I intend to fully restore both bikes but I'm keen to get the 650 out for a spin, I want to check the shaft drive or at least check the oil condition & level, I'll probably change the fluids on the weekend so any advice on the 650 would be helpful, my background is in power generation, overhauling gas turbines & generators
 
Welcome aboard! I'm not up on the 650s myself but they're not too different from my little GS450 (aside from a couple of cylinders and the shaft drive of course).

Not sure if the 650s are really worth a restoration these days, unless you just want to of course! I'd definitely get on top of the mechanicals first though, and starting with changing the fluids is always a great starting point.

Definitely worth checking valve clearances as well, and note they're shims in the 650s. I've had good success with Precision Shims in Melbourne over the years if you don't have a source.

Where are you based by the way?
 
peteGSX said:
Welcome aboard! I'm not up on the 650s myself but they're not too different from my little GS450 (aside from a couple of cylinders and the shaft drive of course).

Not sure if the 650s are really worth a restoration these days, unless you just want to of course! I'd definitely get on top of the mechanicals first though, and starting with changing the fluids is always a great starting point.

Definitely worth checking valve clearances as well, and note they're shims in the 650s. I've had good success with Precision Shims in Melbourne over the years if you don't have a source.

Where are you based by the way?
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I'm about 2 hrs east of Perth, im not planning on doing a major restoration, it's more something to ride until I get the 1100 back on the road, but I will give it a good clean up & the prep on the previous paint job was crap, so I'll get it repainted at some point
 
Im in Sth Oz and own 5 x 650 and have had 1 for around 30 yrs. They are a nice bike to tour on 1 up and the shafts are easily maintained and if you like they are good for around 215kmph but not recommended as i have broken 2 bevel drives
 
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