82' KZ550 A3

Nope, i didnt paint it like that.. Just picked this up, needs a wiring harness, just picked that up from ebay. havent even started on her yet. Back in another life I went to AMI in daytona beach for motorcycle mechanics but never really did anything with it. looking to refresh, maybe open a little vintage bike/repair shop oneday. In the meantime I put an ad out looking for project bikes, came up with this. KZ and GS's always been my favorite bikes, so i took this in a heartbeat. Bike came stock, half in boxes, dont even know if she runs yet. Original airbox, mufflers,etc. Boo. I have a dilemna tho.. Im a big guy, like real big. This is a small bike, like real small. barely comes above my knees. So i think ill be selling it once i get it going. Only problem is, do i do it original, and let the next buyer hot rod it to his liking, or, work it.. ? Anyway, its gonna be a semi slow project, but hopefully by the end of the summer.

I'd say that if you're doing this for a business, and you're going to try and sell it to someone who's looking for a KZ, I'd think you'd want to restore it instead of hot rodding it, since people would be looking for a KZ, and not a modified one.

On the other hand, if you're more interested in flipping it for a profit, you should get it fixed up and running with as little investment as possible - ie: aftermarket stuff instead of OEM.

That's just my take on it..

Not a business, just a hobby, for now.. Thinking of opening something in five years or so, but not before i go back to school and get a few project bikes under my belt. Belive me, if this was a kz750 plus, i wouldnt be looking to sell it at all. KZ's, GS's, CB's, if i could have 30 of em lined up in my garage i would.
Went to AMI in 87,88? and my roomate had a KZ1000. It was purple and the thing flew and was beautiful.. Loved em ever since. Anything other than those, (and nighthawks) im just using it to learn. And as you all know, this is an expensive hobby, and if i can flip a honda and a small kawa so i can get one big one, then it just makes sense. Im not a rich guy. I drive a cab on LBI. Eventually ill come across bikes i want, and i will keep them, believe you me.. lol. But for this KZ550, it will be a labor of love, and it will be sold to someone who really WANTS it. And i think i want to do it in Eddie Lawson colors..

Since you have all the stock parts, and stock bikes bring in more money than modded, which way do you go for the easiest build at the least cost for the most profit?

It has the stock airbox, stock pipes.. Thats the only thing im gonna do away with. Think its gonna need new wires,coils, ill go good with them too, but thats about it. Other than that make er safe and make er shine..

If you're still interested in the ELR paint scheme, here's what mine looks like

Post edited by: Scott19, at: 2007/05/11 22:32

Ewwwwwwwww...that's nice!

That is NICE!! Where you from Scotty19? If i ever get this bike together we should go for a ride..

I love my 550.I'm 230 lbs and it hauls my fat ass around with no problem.

I am in the Atlanta area. Trust me, the bike doesn't look that good in person, digital photography makes things look nice! That's PJ-1 frame paint (rattle can) by the way. The pic was just after I painted it. Now, a year later, it's a little weathered.

Hey Beer, I'm pushin' 240 lbs myself. Only time the bike feels slow is when I ride with my buddy and his ZRX1100, LOL!

Hey beer, think i was 230 in high school.. lol. I have a 82 Honda gl500 silverwing, just got it running and back on the road today (YAY), and my 270 lb ass is bottoming this thing out with the air shocks at max..:sick: KZ has more load weight tho, think it will handle better..