Kawasaki Z650 - 1976/1977 Z650-B1

1976/1977 Z650-B1

This four-stroke four-cylinder motorcycle boasted double overhead camshafts just like the bigger Z1 and Kawasaki claimed 64 bhp (48 kW) from the 652 cc motor. Unlike the Z1, the 650 used a plain bearing crankshaft with a HyVo multiplate chain primary drive instead of a gear drive. This system necessitated the installation of a third (intermediate) shaft in the transmission to drive the input side of the clutch.
Also included for this model year only was a three phase excited field type alternator. Subsequent years of all models (until 1981) were equipped with a single phase permanent magnet (or shunt type) alternator.
Another departure from the Z1 engine design was the use of a shim-under-bucket method of setting valve clearances. The Z1 engine employed a shim-over-bucket design for this purpose and there had been reports of the camshafts actually forcing the shims in the Z1 engine out of position with consequent damage. Project leader Inamura made sure this would not be a problem with the 650 engine. A single 245 mm disc was used up front with a 250 mm drum on the rear, more than enough to handle this relatively lightweight bike. Both front and rear fenders were chrome.