'78 Kawasaki KZ650 Re-build part 1

This is to be the chronicle of my first motorcycle rebuild. Actually my first rebuild of anything remotely mechanical. I have built boats, I have built houses, but I have never even worked on anything mechanical in my life. I have a vague idea of how an internal combustion engine works, but that's it. I have been riding motorcycles on and off since I was 18, and now on my 4th bike- including this build donor. My main ride is a 2007 Yamaha VStar 1100 custom. I have been surfing the web for about a year checking out all the great bikes on the road these days, and I really like the current chopper/bobber look. I'm not about to mess with my nice clean comfortable VStar, so I thought I'd buy something to tear into and convert. Besides a new learning challenge, the other reason I wanted to do this build is to share the project with my 10 year old son. I have worked with him on a few home repair projects, and he really likes learning about how to do things with his hands. I figured what better way for us to have some fun, get some garage time in, and teach him about how to wrench is to do a bike build. So the more I read the more I liked the '70's vintage Asian bikes. I started out on a Yamaha XS 360 for my first ride, with the mag wheels and kick start. I've been scouring Craigslist for months, trying to find the right donor bike, with no luck. Being in Reno, I'm too close the the major Nor Cal markets of Sacramento and then San Francisco, and everything decent that has come up sold before I could get to it. One beautiful 1978 750 cc Suzuki literally sold within 30 minutes of hitting Craigslist here in Reno. It seems the vintage '70's era Japanese bikes are all the rage these days, and everyone wants one to restore. Finally, I found this sweet '78 kz650 you see here in Dayton, about 60 miles from Reno. I didn't hesitate, got a trailer, a bunch of cash and headed east to get it. I got to the owners house, which was way out in the boonies in a total crack house neighborhood. His pad was a dump, with abandoned mechanical projects all over the yard and in the driveway and garage. He looked and talked just like Sam Elliot, but weighed 90 pounds wet. Anyway, amongst all this crap was my new girl "Stoya" (Ive always named my bikes and cars), shining like a beacon in the fog. The ironic thing was she was parked in the driveway, next to the garage door, and had obviously been there for months. And in the garage, with only enough room amongst all the crap to squeeze her in, was a beautiful Harley, looking like it had just rolled off the showroom floor. A 1982 something head vintage. This HD was worth more than the whole f*%king neighborhood! Anyway, we had top siphon gas from the Harley to get the kz started, which took awhile since it was about 40 degrees outside. Once this baby fired and warmed up- it ran like a dream! I ran it up and down the street a dozen times, and she just purred. In the last 2 years, he had adjusted the valves, cleaned the carbs, changed the bearings in the rear wheel, replaced the head gaskets, and added pods. I couldn't believe how good she ran... One of the things I first read on these forums was if your not a decent engine mechanic, spend the extra dough and get a strong runner. Start with that, learn as you go, and work on the easier stuff first. So I forked over my $1200 (down from $1500), loaded her on the trailer and got my ass outta there. I'm sure I may have paid too much, but I found what I was looking for (mag wheels, dual front, single disc rear, good runner) and it was close to home. Here are some pics for your guys- and the first thing I'd like to know is where/how do I start? Besides setting up the garage for a tear down- need a table or lift for her, and I'm sure some specialty tools. Im thinking I need to get used to her, and check over all the major systems, there is some loose small parts, wiring thats taped together, some small hoses around the carbs that are unhooked from somewhere, etc. Any suggestions from all the wisdom out there...? Thanks! "Stoya"

Low mileage!

Dent in the tank.

Funky 4 into 1