TOPIC:

nice job! You will like the bike. I love my 550A1

While I am waiting for the mailman for next steps, here's a short video of my dearly departed 78 KZ650. R

Will be uploaded shortly. Let it perk a while, the 1080p 60fps is worth the wait. R

Sounds good. I have my cam behind the windshield so the wind noise isn't so bad. It's just the cam's is SHT.. What happened to the 650?
Steve

I sold it. Dumb idea, but I did make a few bucks. I got that one for $500 bucks and put a bit into it, but the sale price looked good with two young men in college on my tab.

It was in much better better shape than this 550, but it had 20000 more miles.

BTW I had by cam replaced under warranty with a newer model. It has a supposed wind reduction mode. Anxious to try it out. What I love about the Sony line is the steadyshot feature. It drops you from 170 to 130 degree field, but far less vibration and jostling. On the Vulcan I bar mount the cam and other that an RPM spot at about 2000 RPM that vibrates the entire bar enough to shake the camera, it works great.

R

Petcock rebuild - check,, restored
Used advancer -1016 - check, received, It is the proper matching part and in great shape.
Air Ducts from Germany - priceless, still on the way.

I am hoping the cleaned and sealed tank holds fuel Well, old man winter has dropped into WI and I will be doing bits where possible. not really wanting to fit an airbox in the 10-20 degree garage.

R

Well, package from Germany arrived. May be to cold to ride but I think we can get her buttoned up.
R

I've hacksawed a few sets of those off of 550's. New ones make it go back together quite easily. Be sure to unbolt the airbox too, and it will slide rearward 3/4" or so.

What a pain, way harder than the 650 I had. The holders are good but tight. Team that up with almost no clearance - sucked. But I got it on right with some persuasion and a dull awl.

A few problems.

1. Don't pull coil wires off while installing the gas tank. Won't run - Fixed
2. Don't put the pivot bearing on the advancer 180 degrees off. Won't run - Fixed.
3. Don't ride around in the snow No cure for stupid

I noticed the spark boot on #3 was arcing to the head. Here's the pics. What would cause that?

video forthcoming I will post the links.

Any help appreciated.

R

Video

First Ride


Spark Arc

Carbs sound all gunked up. Bike sounds like it's running on 3 cylinders. Didn't you take them apart to clean and replace the old rubber parts?

Yep, dipped clean. I used the old jets, valves, valve seats, orings and needles. Compressed air afterward. They passed air and looked clean from my inspection. New fuel line, clear vent and vacuum tubes. I think there is an electrical issue. The number 3 plug is arcing to the valve cover. I noticed the right side (ignition side) coil power wires were unhooked. I think I snagged them when I was putting the tank on one of the times it was off and on. I did go on a second jaunt and it revs right up red line and up to 80 or so given the conditions. I am wondering if I hooked the right side coil power wires up backward and if that would be my issue? I shudder to think of pulling the carbs again as it is so so so tight on the 550.. Argh! R