TOPIC:

Got it running today after a carb cleaning. Now I'll buy the parts and properly rebuild the carbs. The tank is junk, but a dude on a Facebook KZ page has one that sounds like a good deal. What do you know about these bars? Is it easy to bolt clamps onto the top triple for regular bars? The airbox for this thing seems impossible, but I'll try once it's time.

Got the carb kits in amazing time from Z1. I had cleaned and re-cleaned the carbs while waiting, reading, and learning. (Thanks to all the guys before me who already asked all the questions and got the patient answers from the members here.) The carbs went together nicely and back on the bike. Using my other gas tank and a new inline fuel filter, it started up with little hassle, and soon I had it running pretty smoothly and definitely hitting on all four. The PO's rattle can resto is cooking off or wiping off with all the carb cleaner that's been flying around. Next will be title, tires, chain, fluids, clutch lever, fuel tank, battery, air box(!), some wiring cleanup, seat, maybe change the bars. Also looking at what parts I can replace on my LTD that could trickle down to the GPZ.
Motor actually sounds good. Throttles up nicely, and runs through the gears on the center stand.

Sounds like you're on your way!

Great! those 550 motors are very durable, and a blast to ride. No motor says 'thrash me' like a 550 kawasaki mill.

Drilling the top yoke for risers ok but on some models there are bracing ribs in the casting underneath just where you want to put a washer and nyloc nut holding each riser. I used a couple of inch lengths of pipe over the riser thread to keep the bracing rib but also give me something to tighten up to -if that makes sense.

Tyrell Corp wrote: No motor says 'thrash me' like a 550 kawasaki mill.
.

So true. I've thought about getting a bigger bike but it's so fun to rip it up on a 550.

My bike wasn't in much better shape when I got it, but they clean up nicely (with a healthy dose of elbow grease, a bit of cash and lots of love/thrashing)

Yeah, everybody I talk to has only great things to say. I started w/ my 82 ltd 1000, and I love that bike, but have been wanting something a little more, uhh, nimble for the city. Somebody has chopped this one up a little (I think), I'm not going to go crazy with it. I'm not a fan of the handlebar set up, but it needs so much else that that's not too important.
Anybody have pics of the bare frame at the tail? Mine seems to be missing something, as well as having some mysterious mismatched booger welded pieces back there.

Sound's like normal Austin bike building just cut off everything that looks like
a motorcycle and call it a bobber then sell cheap when it looks like shit.

Just a quick update, to keep this thread as fresh as it's gonna get.
I ordered some tires and a chain from Bike Bandit. I went with some Shinko 705 dual sport tires. They look killer and the price was right.
Got a cheap clutch lever from Cycle Gear. Did some scrubbing and removing of junk. No cutting, grinding, or welding (yet- only to clean up what a PO had started).
Took off the back wheel and did some more cleaning. Took off the exhaust to examine the places where clamps were replaced by booger welds. Thinking about a MAC 4-1, since they're available and affordable.
Going to try to get the title sorted out this week before I spend much more money. I have a clear title, it's just not in my name or the guy who sold it to me. At least it's for this bike, and it's in my state.
Can't wait to bootleg it around the block, though.

Going to look at a parts bike tonight. Hopefully the tank is useable, but it has a Kerker, pods, a seat that's not the worst, both side panels, etc. Might even have a better title situation than mine... Hoping to come out with a whole bike and some parts to sell/stash. Got the firs of my tires in today... pretty stoked besides that they're tube type tires. Asked in the chassis section and fell better.

bought the parts bike. Is now project bike. OG bike is now parts bike. Will probably be able to scoot around the block tomorrow.
Pics tomorrow with light. I'm pretty excited. I feel like I finally got a killer score.

Those tires are combo dirt/street. I hope you don't expect too much in the twisties. I wouldn't call it a "junky" bike. It has potential. I loved my 550 when Bossie was down. Should have kept it.
Steve

I really like those 550's!