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Driggs' 1981 Kawasaki GPz 550

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11 Feb 2013 17:59 - 11 Feb 2013 18:00 #571969 by Driggs
Driggs' 1981 Kawasaki GPz 550 was created by Driggs
Hey everyone.

Ive lurked on here over the years for various little bits and advice, and figured I would start a proper thread now that I am going to tear into my GPz a bit.

Short story Ive had the bike off and on twice in the past ten years. In the past 15 years it has done two cross country journies and lots and lots of useage. As of right now it has 123,000 miles on it :)

when I got it 10 years ago I was told it was used as a race bike and dragged for a bit. Was told that the engine was bored out, and some internal racing bits were installed, but until I rip things apart, I have no way to verify that.

I had intended on redoing it years ago, but the damn thing just wouldnt stop working perfectly. It leaks oil, but since Ive had a few british bikes, this is common for me :)

Before I moved to Oregon from Connecticut in October, the bike was having some running issues and the clutch started slipping (probably from the springs).

I have just ordered all new gaskets and will be doing a major overhaul on the engine, and every other bit my hands touch.

I dont plan on "cleaning" the bike up at all, as I love the wear on it. It doesnt look trashed at all, but when you see it, you can clearly see its used.

This will be my first time tearing into the bike majorly so Im very excited.

Heres what is not stock on the bike
-4 into 1 exhaust (not by me, unknown mfg)
-Removal of centerstand and reinforced side stand welding (not by me, because of the exhaust)
-Possible internal engine parts
-Led rear lamp, instrument, and all four turns (by me)
-factory steering stabilizer (is this common on the 81's? Ive never met another guy with one)
-period correct, 1982 leather gpZ jacket. The guy bought it with the gpz in 82 when he bought the bike at the dealer
-Marzocchi rear shocks

Other than those minor things the bike is stock. It has taught 6 people how to ride a motorcycle and has been my utter joy to drive. Its time I get it back in perfect mechanical shape.

Plan is
-Replace all engine gaskets, and sort out any damage or things that need fixing while in there
-Replace clutch and springs
-Replace/Clean/Do what needs doing to the ignition system
-Replace/Rebuild/Possibly upgrade all brake calipers
-Install gel battery to the tail cowl
-rebuild rear shocks with the kit that I got from Marz

Anywho, heres some pics!





dirty dirty shocks





83 Audi urquattro, 84 Audi 4ks quattro, 82 Audi 4k diesel, 74 Norton Commando, 81 Kawasaki GPz 550 Mac, 81 Kawasaki GPz 550 Kerker

gpZ Pictures on flickr
Last edit: 11 Feb 2013 18:00 by Driggs. Reason: spelled gpz wrong! doh

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11 Feb 2013 18:15 #571970 by gengomerpyle
Replied by gengomerpyle on topic Driggs' 1981 Kawasaki GPz 550
nice little bikes. a friend had a kz550 elr back in the 80's. it was very quick for its size. it looks like a mac pipe.

1982 GPZ750R1 ELR
1978 Honda CB750F SuperSport
1971 Honda CB750K
1970 Honda CL100 Scrambler

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11 Feb 2013 18:22 #571971 by Driggs
Replied by Driggs on topic Driggs' 1981 Kawasaki GPz 550
theres a guy on ebay selling what seems to be the same pipe setup.

Love my kz550-d1.. Id love to get a 1100 too ! :)

83 Audi urquattro, 84 Audi 4ks quattro, 82 Audi 4k diesel, 74 Norton Commando, 81 Kawasaki GPz 550 Mac, 81 Kawasaki GPz 550 Kerker

gpZ Pictures on flickr

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11 Feb 2013 20:44 #571992 by baldy110
Replied by baldy110 on topic Driggs' 1981 Kawasaki GPz 550
That is a MAC pipe. Why are you tearing into the engine, is there a problem?

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11 Feb 2013 20:52 #571994 by JR
Replied by JR on topic Driggs' 1981 Kawasaki GPz 550
What a great story. Two cross country trips and 123,000 miles on it. Wow
Love the jacket.
Thanks for the pics.

1980 kz750E1, Delkevic exhaust

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11 Feb 2013 23:53 #572016 by Driggs
Replied by Driggs on topic Driggs' 1981 Kawasaki GPz 550

baldy110 wrote: That is a MAC pipe. Why are you tearing into the engine, is there a problem?




All the gaskets are leaking. And I want to do a lot of cleaning.

I also can't just replace one thing. I just ripped the entire front of my car apart because one ball joint was bad. Now I'm doing all the bushings, struts and bearing. Whoops

83 Audi urquattro, 84 Audi 4ks quattro, 82 Audi 4k diesel, 74 Norton Commando, 81 Kawasaki GPz 550 Mac, 81 Kawasaki GPz 550 Kerker

gpZ Pictures on flickr

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12 Feb 2013 14:52 #572107 by harm
Replied by harm on topic Driggs' 1981 Kawasaki GPz 550

As of right now it has 123,000 miles on it


Wow!


I like my 550 as well!

Tom
Holland, MI

1980 KZ550 ELR


2011 Concours14

2017 KX450 [/color]

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14 Feb 2013 20:31 #572411 by Driggs
Replied by Driggs on topic Driggs' 1981 Kawasaki GPz 550
Ive got an entire gasket set today in the mail, but theyre all paper gaskets... Whats everyones opinion on these? are there any other gaskets really?


83 Audi urquattro, 84 Audi 4ks quattro, 82 Audi 4k diesel, 74 Norton Commando, 81 Kawasaki GPz 550 Mac, 81 Kawasaki GPz 550 Kerker

gpZ Pictures on flickr

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16 Feb 2013 20:06 #572750 by harm
Replied by harm on topic Driggs' 1981 Kawasaki GPz 550
What kind are they? They look decent from the picture. You will need a head gasket, i would recommend an OEM kawasaki head gasket.

Tom
Holland, MI

1980 KZ550 ELR


2011 Concours14

2017 KX450 [/color]

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21 Feb 2013 02:12 #573418 by Driggs
Replied by Driggs on topic Driggs' 1981 Kawasaki GPz 550
THeyre from a guy on ebay.. I know its not the best place to go but they were cheap enough it was worth the risk!

And yeah a headgasket is being sorted out!

83 Audi urquattro, 84 Audi 4ks quattro, 82 Audi 4k diesel, 74 Norton Commando, 81 Kawasaki GPz 550 Mac, 81 Kawasaki GPz 550 Kerker

gpZ Pictures on flickr

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22 Feb 2013 10:49 #573564 by loudhvx
Replied by loudhvx on topic Driggs' 1981 Kawasaki GPz 550
I never had a problem with home-made paper gaskets for valve cover, clutch, and trans, as long as the surfaces are cleaned perfectly. I also use antiseize on the clutch and valve cover.

If those small round gaskets are for the exhaust, I would not use them. The small trapezoid gaskets are not for your bike. They are for the emission ports on the valve cover, but your bike uses rubber gakets built inot the reed cage. I think later ZX550A's use those separate gaskets.

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22 Feb 2013 13:37 #573575 by chirpy999
Replied by chirpy999 on topic Driggs' 1981 Kawasaki GPz 550
Nice looking bike, keep us updated on progress with it

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