This one’s a proper “before the pretty stuff” workshop episode on my 25-year-old Kawasaki W650. Before the tank heads off for bodywork and paint, I tear it down and find out what I’m actually working with. In a short time-lapse I drain the fuel, peel off the decals, pull the knee pads, and remove the fuel tap so I can inspect the inside of the tank and the filters. It’s that make-or-break moment in a build where you either breathe a sigh of relief… or discover you’ve just bought yourself a pile of extra work. I’m looking for the usual suspects: contaminated fuel, debris in the filters, rust in the seams, and any hidden surprises around the tap and diaphragm. The goal is simple—confirm the foundations are solid before I spend time (and money) on metal work and a fresh finish. If you’re following the W650 build, this is the unglamorous but critical step that sets up everything that comes next—because the cinematic roads will return, but only after the garage work is done.