new owner of an 81 kz 550 ltd (video)

so i have been having a ruff idle issue the past few days and i was wondering what rpm i should be idling at? 2-3000 rpms is what ive been thinking is it 2 low? i also think i might have a stuck float because when i start it with choke sometimes it will rev up to 6-8000 rpms then i unchoke it and it dies any ideas would be a great help so close to having her be my daily driver

i think im going to try sea foam to see if that helps

If you a re having a rough "idle" your bike has a problem that you need to address rather than just cranking up the rpm. 2000- 3000 rpm is WAY WAY above idle speed; in fact, that is not idling. Idle speed should be 950 - 1050 rpm. Ed

So I turned down the idle down and its running a bit rich

650ed wrote: Idle speed should be 950 - 1050 rpm. Ed

550 FSM says 1000 to 1100.

Got her running nice going on a 40ish mile ride to see how it feels and holds up

Nice photo!

Well I ended up having to get her trailered home after 20 of the 40 miles I stalled her out and went to start it back up dead battery I have to take a look into the charging system. What are common things go bad and what parts should I check

so i have a quick question what do u guys do to get the speedo and tack illuminated so i can see it at night??? i work 3rd shift so a lot of my riding will be at night and i would like to know how fast im going

There are light bulbs in there. You probably have to replace them.

Well I think I found my issue with the charging system

Yup that'll do it.

The wires should be tucked and tied behind that thick aluminum tab in your photo.

My friend had a similar issue on his 550. His battery wouldn't die, but voltage tests showed very erratic battery voltage. He replaced the reg/rec with a spare and had the same problem. He rode it like that for months, but never looked into the erratic voltage because it didn't seem to be causing any problems.

I was driving behind him one night and I swore I saw his chain sparking. Not just small sparks, but big long arcs. I thought I must have been hallucinating. After I told him about it, he checked it out and found almost the exact same wire condition as you. After repairing the wires it was good as new.

They where behind the tab just pulled them out for the pic it was pinched in between the cover and case