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Just picked up a new member to the stable. 1980 Kawasaki kz550. Picked it up at auction. Story was the guy safetied it in 2011 and then was diagnosed with diabetes and never rode it. Paperwork seems to support this. Safety certificate from 2011 has the exact same mileage as the bike does today. 24000 kms. Needed a battery so I got one and it turned over smartly but winter had set in so never put fresh fuel in it. Going to try to customize it a little and make it personal. Will be asking lots of questions. Hope you guys don't mind. Thanks.

congrats....you got a complete bike. only thing i would do is change bars ( superbike type ) and install a front fairing.
FYI...memebers here dont take it so lightly when a complete bike is chop up / mod.

I know what you mean. I don't intend on chopping anything up. Only finessing some things. Funny you mentioned superbike bars. That was exactly the way I was going. Rearsets, bars, fairing and trying to figure out what to do with the tail. It seems that it is a tad too long. Maybe a cafe seat of some sort too. possibly a ELR paint job.

Nice 550. I like it just the way it is. Original paint and all. Maybe a Kerker

Congrats on the find! I just acquired an '81 ust a couple of weeks ago myself! Not as nice as your's, and no ownership. Mine's going to be re-born as a track-bike.

Post all your work as you get it ready for the street. I'll be watching!

Xl ED wrote: I know what you mean. I don't intend on chopping anything up. Only finessing some things. Funny you mentioned superbike bars. That was exactly the way I was going. Rearsets, bars, fairing and trying to figure out what to do with the tail. It seems that it is a tad too long. Maybe a cafe seat of some sort too. possibly a ELR paint job.

When you figure out what you're going to do in the way of rearsets, I'd be interested as well!

Sourced out rearsets from fastfromthepast.com. Not listed specifically for a 1980 but the frames look the same. Any idea if they are any different?

www.fastfromthepast.com/19-0030

I don't think I could ride for long with my knees bent back like that. I have HWY pegs so I can stretch out. Different style of riding.
Steve

I have the Sportster if I need to stretch out.

swest wrote:

At 5'3" I could stretch out on a Rupp!