KZR's Bikes of the Month for 2024

'83 KZ 550 Freshening Project

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12 Mar 2017 11:02 #756517 by Maxacceleration
'83 KZ 550 Freshening Project was created by Maxacceleration
Hello all,
Gonna take my bike over here to projects vs the new member page.
I have a basically mint (I'd rate it 90 out of 100) 1983 KZ 550.
I had a candy apple red '81 KZ 550 back when from new. I had put 16,000 miles on my '81 in one year. It was a trick bike. Kerker header, Lockhart oil cooler, GPz rearsets, and a cool factory accessory Kawasaki stepped seat with a grey graphic stripe on the perimeter of the seat. Never saw another seat like that. Had a 1/4 fairing on it too.
Well, that bike was stolen from in front of my house in 1982 ...gone. Cops found a stripped frame a week later.
And the end of my '81 KZ 550 riding days. Huge bummer. And yes I've had a soft spot for the KZ/GPz twin shock 550's ever since.

Fast forward to about 2007 and I ran into this 1983 KZ 550. I jumped on it & paid too much for it.
Got it with 540 original miles, and its up to 840 miles now(!).

Sitting on it for ten years and rarely riding it, I feel its time for a detail, and add some traditional hop ups. Or unload it.
So add some parts it is.

Story has it this bike came from a shorter woman who had a Vetter fairing on this bike. They had the seat cut down, which is perfect for the superbike look. Apparently this bike was too much for her and she got a GPz 305.
All I had to do was come up with front turn signals.

Here, I have added only superbike bars and bar end mirrors... ten years ago.


'83 KZ550 'Mini Superbike'

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12 Mar 2017 11:10 #756519 by Maxacceleration
Replied by Maxacceleration on topic '83 KZ 550 Freshening Project
Fast forward again to 2017 and I pull my 550 out and start bolting on parts.



Detail work needs to be done. Clean and apply S100 engine black to bring to motor back to a fresh black.
Oxidation on the shock springs & fork sliders will need to be polished off...
The new Yosh pipe has a terribly weak black coating on it - it needs some sort of refinish.

All details, and I'll ask questions & post pics along the way. Its not much of a true project. Luckily for me.

'83 KZ550 'Mini Superbike'

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  • Nessism
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12 Mar 2017 14:05 #756534 by Nessism
Replied by Nessism on topic '83 KZ 550 Freshening Project
Great looking bike!

Hope those aren't the original tires? If so you may want to put them on your "replace" list (along with the front brake line).
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12 Mar 2017 15:05 #756542 by GPzEric
Replied by GPzEric on topic '83 KZ 550 Freshening Project
I'd put the back fender on, go back to a stock seat, and if the fork seals aren't leaking, and it has good compression, I'd give it a good looking over, including checking the valves, and I'd ride it! It's not like it needs anything.

My wife asked me if I still loved her - I said "Honey, I love you more than new carburetor boots ! "
1982 KZ1100B2 (GPz)
1982 KZ750R1 (GPz)
(2) 1981 KZ550D1 (GPz) 1 mint, 1 under construction
1983 GS1100E

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  • Maxacceleration
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12 Mar 2017 16:06 #756555 by Maxacceleration
Replied by Maxacceleration on topic '83 KZ 550 Freshening Project

GPzEric wrote: I'd put the back fender on, go back to a stock seat, and if the fork seals aren't leaking, and it has good compression, I'd give it a good looking over, including checking the valves, and I'd ride it! It's not like it needs anything.


I just took the fender off Eric! lol I do have the fender uncut. The seat is the stock seat, trimmed down. I got the bike that way.
The forks were gone through a few years ago - no leaking but i think they are the stock seals.
It runs sooo good I can't imagine the compression being bad, but it has not been checked. And my local indy, who is a certified tech and owns a KZ650 from new feels the valve lash should be ok. I'm not so sure about that - I will get the valves checked as I am not doing the job. It needs to be checked.


I am veering from stock just slightly for the mini superbike look. Fitting my GPz clone fairing now (Maier).


'83 KZ550 'Mini Superbike'

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12 Mar 2017 16:45 #756568 by Maxacceleration
Replied by Maxacceleration on topic '83 KZ 550 Freshening Project
Here are my Continental 'Classic Attack' radials just put on. Very soft rubber we were noticing.
Just neighborhood riding so far - no opinion of the tires yet.


'83 KZ550 'Mini Superbike'

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14 Mar 2017 19:28 #756754 by Maxacceleration
Replied by Maxacceleration on topic '83 KZ 550 Freshening Project
Well my cherry bike which has sat for quite a while has the leaking carb syndrome.
Could be the vacuum petcock or the bank of carbs themselves. I am using my local indy service shop as the long time tech has a lot of experience with the old inline fours. He will correct the issue long before I will.

'83 KZ550 'Mini Superbike'

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14 Mar 2017 19:38 #756755 by GPz550D1
Replied by GPz550D1 on topic '83 KZ 550 Freshening Project

Maxacceleration wrote: Hello all,
Gonna take my bike over here to projects vs the new member page.
I have a basically mint (I'd rate it 90 out of 100) 1983 KZ 550.


I would give it at least 95 out of 100.

1981 KZ550-D1
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15 Mar 2017 18:48 #756839 by Maxacceleration
Replied by Maxacceleration on topic '83 KZ 550 Freshening Project
Thanks GPz550D1. Clean enough, eh?

Today I finished trimming & sanding my Maier windscreen. All to be more GPz like lol.
Riding season is getting close!


'83 KZ550 'Mini Superbike'

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  • Maxacceleration
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04 Aug 2017 17:28 #768343 by Maxacceleration
Replied by Maxacceleration on topic '83 KZ 550 Freshening Project
Been away from my 550 for a few months...
Rebuilt vacuum petcock pretty much fixed flooding carbs.

For such a low miles bike (still under 1000 miles), I think the gearing may have been changed?!?
Should I be turning 7000 grand at 70 mph in 6th? Hmmm...

Bike is running tits though!


'83 KZ550 'Mini Superbike'
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  • Scirocco
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04 Aug 2017 18:36 - 04 Aug 2017 18:45 #768355 by Scirocco
Replied by Scirocco on topic '83 KZ 550 Freshening Project
If i interpret the speed / idle diagram right you should be go 100 mph @ 7000 rpm



Yes i know, YES WE CAN :laugh: go so fast legally and a lot of faster here in Germany
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Last edit: 04 Aug 2017 18:45 by Scirocco.
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04 Aug 2017 18:45 #768356 by Mcren
Replied by Mcren on topic '83 KZ 550 Freshening Project
If you ever get the chance take a few pictures of the airbox. Currently rebuilding my 83 and it unfortunately came with pods. A few shots of the front, top and side would clarify a few things with me.

1983 KZ550- A4

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