Dakota Dual Sport Riders

Other motorcycles => Street => Topic started by: Hank on February 06, 2016, 04:39:27 PM

Title: Old's cool kawi
Post by: Hank on February 06, 2016, 04:39:27 PM
This old girl followed me home.  It's not bad for 33 years old.  Pulled the carbs today and they weren't horrible, but they need all new orings, hopefully which can be sourced somewhere .

(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa178/jasonh_010/KZ550/VZM.IMG_20160206_144557.jpg) (http://s197.photobucket.com/user/jasonh_010/media/KZ550/VZM.IMG_20160206_144557.jpg.html)

Sent from the Altair 8800 I carry around.

Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: greatbuffalo on February 06, 2016, 07:43:38 PM
Great bike

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Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: Lonesome Dave on February 07, 2016, 09:12:41 AM
Congrats, it looks pretty nice.
Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: Hank on February 07, 2016, 11:30:24 AM
Got some carb kits, and oil filter, air filter and a service manual coming.   Z1Enterprises is a great resource for these old kawis.   Needs tires and maybe a chain and sprockets, but I'll get it running first.

Sent from the Altair 8800 I carry around.

Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: tannerc on February 07, 2016, 09:03:52 PM
Nice, that thing is in great condition!
Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: Harry Potter on February 07, 2016, 09:52:32 PM
Cool looking bike. I am going to have to Google kawasaki gp550.
Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: greatbuffalo on February 08, 2016, 03:21:25 AM
Thats a GPz. Don't recall what sets the GP apart from  the GPz.

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Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: Hank on February 08, 2016, 07:47:24 AM
Not sure there ever was a GP?   Officially this is a KZ550H2, but it's still a GPz550.   I paid $600 for it, which is probably OK for the condition.   Clean title too and only 11000 miles.

It's not in bad shape, but far from perfect.  With a little elbow grease it will be a clean looking runner, and it's original other than the V&H 4 into 1.

Sent from the Altair 8800 I carry around.

Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: loingrader on February 08, 2016, 08:55:19 PM
Im partial to old hondas but that is still a really cool bike.

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Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: greatbuffalo on February 09, 2016, 10:10:02 AM
That 550 motor is pretty bomb proof. Looks like it could be fun old school ride.

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Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: Hank on February 21, 2016, 03:15:16 PM
It's alive!

(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa178/jasonh_010/KZ550/th_received_10153604191027655.mp4) (http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa178/jasonh_010/KZ550/received_10153604191027655.mp4)

Runs like a top after many hours of carburetor fiddling.

Next item is the rear suspension.   There was a lot of slop in the lower shock mount, which I guess is real typical as it hangs down in the road spray.   The bump stop crumbled to dust in my hand when I pulled the shock out.   
Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: greatbuffalo on February 21, 2016, 04:36:12 PM
WAY TOO COOL
Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: Hank on May 08, 2016, 08:21:30 PM
I spent an hour polishing a turd today.    I doubt the old girl has seen wax in 25 years.

As Ryan says, "it's a 10!", meaning it looks good from 10 feet.   Maybe its a 15 haha.

Its got more paint flaws and corroded spots than I could count, but I still think its pretty damn cool.

(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa178/jasonh_010/KZ550/20160508_173502.jpg) (http://s197.photobucket.com/user/jasonh_010/media/KZ550/20160508_173502.jpg.html)

(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa178/jasonh_010/KZ550/20160508_173546.jpg) (http://s197.photobucket.com/user/jasonh_010/media/KZ550/20160508_173546.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: biker4ever on May 08, 2016, 09:42:46 PM
looks a lot better than it did a couple of weeks ago, worth the effort. 8)
Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: Hank on May 09, 2016, 06:40:26 AM
Thanks Lance.  How are the bones?

I think I might pull the exhaust and sand blast / bbq black it and maybe do the rashed up engine covers too.   
Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: Hank on May 10, 2016, 08:11:37 PM
Mine must be worth like a million dollars.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/5533128113.html
Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: ryani on May 11, 2016, 07:41:48 AM
It says it has extras. That could be a stack of 25 $100 bills
Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: greatbuffalo on May 11, 2016, 11:00:23 PM
He's pretty proud of that box of parts.

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Title: Re: Old's cool kawi
Post by: Robmicgrn on May 12, 2016, 12:05:10 PM
I want to know what's in the garbage bag. The previous owner???? :-\