KAWASAKI W650 EJ650 Custom Retro

Kawasaki W 650 (EJ 650)

I purchased this in 2012 as an antidote to a sports bike. What a superb machine it is!

Completely rebuilt engine - new barrels; piston rings; all bearings; bolts; front sprocket; receipts to prove this.

Rebuild completed three months ago - its done around 300 miles since without issue.

Recent new tyres (Dunlop K81 TT100); new exhaust silencers (!); new battery; rear brake shoes;

Carbs have K&N filters and have been re-jetted to suit. No other modifications have been carried out.

The bike will give 65 mpg without issue. accelerates rapidly and is good for 115 mph absolutely flat out (difficult to hang on at this speed without a fairing).

The rear of the frame (from behind the seat rearward) is not standard: it has a grab rail behind the seat (very useful for manhandling it around the place and strapping stuff down). has mounting lugs for a pannier frame (these may be cut off) and was made to be long enough and flat so that it may carry a tent and bed roll strapped across.

I have carried out all of the work throughout the time I have owned the bike.

It has been superbly reliable as only a Japanese machine can be.

It is fairly loud under load and giving a throaty burble at idle.

Reason for rebuild - my curiosity lead me to remove the cylinder head and in doing so broke two of the four cylinder head bolts that run down through the barrels into the crankcase. It turns out the barrels and bolts had corroded solid and I destroyed the barrels in getting them off. hence their replacement. Whilst in bits. I replaced all bearings as a matter of course. oil and filter and resprayed the frame. The decision for orange was because the fuel tank has an orange stripe down it and I'm not confident of repraying that with fuel resistant paints so decided to paint the frame to match the stripe. It's a bit different anyway.

The wiring has been gathered into the space under the seat and the original side pods replaced with the aluminium panels. The side pods will be supplied with the bike and they still fit.

I'll supply the original handle bar (a chrome item) as it currently has an old Honda Transalp handlebar fitted.

I'll also supply various bits and pieces. including the original seat and rear mudguard. It didn't have a front mudguard when I purchased the bike.

The seat was made by me in an attempt go "retro" and is removable by undoing two wing nuts and sliding it off. The blue does not go well but was the only material I had at the time. I have since acquired some black vinyl which I'll supply should you wish to re-cover the seat. It is quite comfortable though.

It has a Triumph T100 fuel tank (fibreglass) and stainless steel exhaust pipes.

Reason for sale: I no longer use it: not needing to commute. not being involved with bike clubs and getting bored with riding out by myself. You may aswell have the benefit of it.

It's called "Rough Sufferer" as my play on the "Brough Superior" name. If you don't like it. this signage will easily come off if rubbed with a rag soaked in petrol.

V5 present.

MOT June 2015

Tax February 2015

Do you honestly think its only worth £1050?!  Come on. I'm now totally fed up with people who are expecting to take it away for a few hundred quid. Look at those other Kawasaki W650's and they're going for £3000 at least. This one. despite having an orange frame (which CAN be changed. believe it or not). has a completely rebuilt engine and many other new parts and will  be good for another 23000 miles and is only just over two grand - bargain. Hey ho.

Thanks for looking.

Bank transfer or cash upon collection.

No returns.

Collection only.

Neil  07828 826489

Also published at eBay.com