W650

[DaSwami_imp]

I'll put the other hat on. I always wanted a W650 because I liked the styling and loved the naked standard UJM type of bike, as most of us here do. But I saw one up close a few months ago and was underwhelmed. It's small, quiet, and didn't seem to have a lot of get up and go when the rider took off. It's a bit heavy for its displacement, overall I liked my Scram much better. However, it does have a reputation of super build quality, and it IS a good looking bike. My other concern is parts, only imported a couple of years, I've dealt with parts shortages on older bikes, no fun! (Of course our CB1100, each unique iteration was only imported for one year....hmmmm I guess that argument is not very strong, ha).

At any rate, best of luck in your decision

[Nortoon_imp]

Google is a great tool. Type in Kawasaki W650 Service Manual and all sorts of information pops up. Type in Kawasaki W650 Parts List and there are pictures and prices of the parts.

When I converted my 1966 BSA Lightning to a café racer, I imported the service tools, Service Manual, and the Parts Manual from Eddie Dow in Britain. The Parts Manual was a great help when buying parts, but also helped a lot to put the parts back in order. The service tools made the job a lot easier as well.

Fast forward about 10 years, I used those service items to restore a 1971 BSA Lightning during the winter. Everything was taken apart except the transmission. Much to my amazement, in the spring it started and idled with the first stomp on the kick starter.

Restoring a motorcycle is one of the most satisfying things you can do as a biker. Every time you stop while riding, someone will appreciate what you have done.

[Wisedrum]

Really nice bike! I like it a lot.

So what is the deal with the TUV? It is a safety inspection? Emissions?

In Virginia we have to get annual inspections on our cars, motorcycles, and some trailers, but it is just a safety check. Brakes, tires, lights, etc.

The same in Germany and it has to be done every 2 years, it is a must and has to be successful. Otherwise a motorbike etc. isn't allowed to be driven in traffic only in private areas. A lot of parts are checked by an engineer like tires, lights, frame, brakes, accessoires, emissions and so on. A testride in the end by the engineer will conclude the inspection with a certification and a little colored plaque on the license plate which shows the next TÜV termin as a month and year, for example 5/20. This year they gave me a blue one, the one before was pink. Yesterday I paid 70€ for the observation. If the bike would have failed I would have 2 weeks to pepare the concerned parts for a new check and only they will be checked again. Of course you have to spend some extra TÜV money for it, I think between 10 and 20 €.

I'll put the other hat on. I always wanted a W650 because I liked the styling and loved the naked standard UJM type of bike, as most of us here do. But I saw one up close a few months ago and was underwhelmed. It's small, quiet, and didn't seem to have a lot of get up and go when the rider took off. It's a bit heavy for its displacement, overall I liked my Scram much better. However, it does have a reputation of super build quality, and it IS a good looking bike. My other concern is parts, only imported a couple of years, I've dealt with parts shortages on older bikes, no fun! (Of course our CB1100, each unique iteration was only imported for one year....hmmmm I guess that argument is not very strong, ha).

At any rate, best of luck in your decision

I rode a W650 for several years before I upgraded to the W800. Motorbikes are always a matter if personal preferences. The W models are most likely one if not the most prettiest and neatest retro bikes that has been build for the motorbike market. Aircooled and with a solitaire beavel shaft, Königswelle, which put them out of contest.

In my opinion as rider of one, they are heavier than old paralleltwins of England but not too heavy. They substance especially the engine is build 'out of the full'.
A reason for their standing the engine test of time. The other build quality like painting of the frame isn't the best. It will rust even right in the catalogue. So you have to take care of it. My bike is always an outdoor bike. I pay special tribute to this fact and try to hinder alteration. The engine power is enough, it's a nice puller right from idle in each gear. Not as much as the CB but still enough, smooth and even like only a few other bikes will do with such a paralleltwin layout and feel

The suspension amd frame is not so well balanced and stabil as the Honda's. The faster you go and you can ride as fast as the the speedlimited CB the more it can/will slinger a bit around which can cause some extra pumping of your heart. Fully packed this behavior can increase. A lot of owners here modify the suspension and the front brake, I don't do it and take it as it is making my adjustments the way I ride it. I keep it original besides some for me necessary accessoire parts that fit my riding style like a windshield and saddlebags.

Wisedrum

[Wisedrum]

Evening has come and the scenery has changed on my way back home from work. Some other nightactive outdoor species setting on windcraft came into sight.
Picture of the same day.




Wisedrum

[cookiemech]

Evening has come and the scenery has changed on my way back home from work. Some other nightactive outdoor species setting on windcraft came into sight.
Picture of the same day.




Wisedrum

What a beautiful bike, and what a beautiful scene! Thanks for the photo.

[DaSwami_imp]

I get what you are saying, but sometimes the juice ain't worth the squeezing. I used to collect and restore old Yamaha Big Wheels, both the 200 and the 350 model. Super fun little bikes, that I could ride on the road in Montana. I drew the line when the rubber intake boot on the 350 was dry rotted and sprung a leak. That part no longer existed, except on ebay. Price was $800. That's where I drew the line.

[Wisedrum]

The W is definitely not one of these bikes.
The problems I discribed are more or less cosmetical ones. You can live with and stop them with your taking care of the bike and using the right 'medicine'.
The only thing I really had to exchange was the silencer of the right exhaust pipe. It get lost while riding, rust had loosened his fixing points. I demounted the left one afterwards and put some clipable ones inside the pipes bought from a W-forum member, who constructed his own versions. I don't like the sound without any, doesn't sound 'healthy' and can mutate into a real problem with the TÜV. Some owners pull the intact ones out, they think and belief the opposite. It's is easily audible that this kind of altered sound is'nt the normal one. The rebuild silencers I now use are somewhere in between, not too calm, not too loud and with a little bass emphazising. The TÜV engineer didn't mind and mention them.

Wisedrum

[Tezza_imp]

Mate of mine here in Australia had a 69 model until he sold it recently. Here is an article on the restoration.
http://www.netbikes.com.au/projects/69_w2ss/w2ss.htm

[Cormanus]

Nice job. Good picture of you Tezza with the T250!