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Tyrell Corp wrote: Nice work, just noticed this thread. There is a small but obsessive cult following for the 550's around the world, great to see another on the track.

The body swage lines work better with graphics imo, Eddie Lawson Blue/gold/white sandwich works best with kawi racing green imo. Also those original nose fairings and mounts are really difficult to find now... maybe consider the probability of crashing a race bike and the difficulty of finding another.

I know what you mean about yellow, but it sort of grows on you. I neer intended it, but I do paint and I'm on my 4th yellow now, Suzuki Blaze Yellow. There is a really hot Triumph yellow too.

had a tendency for the front fender to come into contact with the oil cooler in very extreme stops, especially if the stop is with some bumps


Interesting Lou, never had that, but did it on my GPz750 recently, luckily before paintjob.

I had a nasty tankslapper just once, also I put down to a mismatched and worn rear tyre . Very alarming and a few seconds from a bad accident..otherwise the 550 have been safe, reliable and fun for me the last 25 years..

Great thread and nice pics, good luck. :

Thanks Tyrell! These bikes have been high on my list of "must haves" since they first appeared in the Kawasaki line-up. One track day has confirmed how much fun they really are!

I fully agree about the graphics. I'm liking the silver/white/black stripes with the green, but your fav is cool too!

I found an original, slightly damaged, used fairing but bought a new windscreen and we made our own brackets.

My oil cooler is really close to the fender as well. My suspension is super stiff though (compared to stock), so I'm really hoping it's not going to be an issue.

I'm signed up for another track day in September, so I might not find out how this is all going to work until then. I'm considering another day in August though. We'll see!



We're still working on sorting out the rearsets. I have a couple of preliminary pics. I'll post 'em up later.

Just mocking up the location for the rear sets:

We'll get them mounted next week. Shouldn't be too tough, but the welder is busy at the moment. Get the rear drum brake to work will be a little tricky but shouldn't be too tough.

Oh, the side stand won't be in the way for long. It'll be chopped of soon.

Got the left side finished:

Gear shift side is the easiest, now to see about the drum brake linkage.

Drooz wrote: Let the games begin:

Drooz,
I don't want to side track your Track Bike thread.
Could you email me (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) how and what suspension you used on your H2?
I want to update my bike from this

to this.

I'm having a hard time finding a swingarm that will fit besides the FZR 400 and 600. Yours looks like GSXR suspension?
Any help would be great!!!!
Thanks
Kenny

Ya, mine is from an '86 FZ600. There's a difference between the FZ and FZR. The '85-'87 FZ600 are all the same. Not as pricey and the parts fit really nice.

Good luck!

Is it just me or does everyone on here have some combination of an H1/H2 and a 900/1000 kz?

Wish I could swing that somehow (don't look at my bike sig) that 550 really looks to be shaping up.

floivanus wrote: Is it just me or does everyone on here have some combination of an H1/H2 and a 900/1000 kz?

Wish I could swing that somehow (don't look at my bike sig) that 550 really looks to be shaping up.

Haha!! The best of both 'vintage worlds'!

Got the new tach installed and functioning.

It's got a neutral and oil light. Perfect!

As well...

... we have the Kerker repaired!

Really nice work!! Thanks Trev!!

Can't wait to hear it howl!!

Nice repair on that pipe, right at the collector is a PITA to weld without any leaks.

Looks like a tach off a triple

floivanus wrote: Nice repair on that pipe, right at the collector is a PITA to weld without any leaks.

Looks like a tach off a triple

Yep. He took the whole pipe apart, repaired the 2 head pipes and welded it all back together.

I was told it's off a Zephyr. Not sure which model.

Well, the header fits great, but now it looks like the mid-pipe needs to be modified to raise the can a little higher and to allow it to clear the rear shock properly.

Oh well. We have time. I'm still waiting for my K&N filters.