Side panel emblems - your thoughts and opinions?

I have an 82 550 LTD. The bike is gloss black. I painted the motor a satin black, added some different bars, bar end mirrors - just a little customization, but nothing crazy. last year I envisioned that painting the tank emblem and the side panel emblem Kawi green would look good. Well, I'm not so sold on that now. The more I think about the LTD 550 emblem on the side panel, the more I hate how it looks. The wife has some fancy printer that can cut vinyl - I was thinking of designing a more asthetically pleasing KZ550 or 550 LTD emblem and sticking it on the side panel.

Think this is a a good idea or a dumb one? I don't want to be the equivalent of the guy with a chevy cavalier that has a "turbo" badge on it or the kid in high school who had a 1998 Bonneville SE and replaced the SE with a SLP badge.

How about some KZ550 A standard model emblems?
The mounting tabs are wider than the Ltd, so you'd have to drill one or two holes.
There aren't very many listed on eebbaayy right now & what's available are pricy.

eebbaayy search = KZ550 emblems. or side cover.

Maybe give it a try....... you won't know till you try...........(they need to be redone) but I really liked my second set of panels and tank in yellow even though a few of my friends and wife still prefer the stock blue...... Its what you like that counts in the end.

Well I was thinking of designing something with KZ and 550 in it, but different font and placement. So I'm not off base just having KZ without the LTD?

apbling wrote: I have an 82 550 LTD. The bike is gloss black. I painted the motor a satin black, added some different bars, bar end mirrors - just a little customization, but nothing crazy. last year I envisioned that painting the tank emblem and the side panel emblem Kawi green would look good. Well, I'm not so sold on that now. The more I think about the LTD 550 emblem on the side panel, the more I hate how it looks. The wife has some fancy printer that can cut vinyl - I was thinking of designing a more asthetically pleasing KZ550 or 550 LTD emblem and sticking it on the side panel.

Think this is a a good idea or a dumb one? I don't want to be the equivalent of the guy with a chevy cavalier that has a "turbo" badge on it or the kid in high school who had a 1998 Bonneville SE and replaced the SE with a SLP badge.

I like the idea but I might be bias. :whistle:

kawaholic, did you make that yourself or farm it out?

I do have an inside connection to a vinyl place in town that does good work....

I just don't want to be classified as a poser for trying to make my bike something it isn't. Yes, its an LTD. Do I think the GPZ and standard are cooler looking, yes. Do I absolutely hate the LTD font and placement on my badge, very much so.

So "KZ 550 TURBO SLP" is a no go?

Maybe kz 550 turbo slp R-type I'd consider.

apbling wrote: kawaholic, did you make that yourself or farm it out?

I do have an inside connection to a vinyl place in town that does good work....

I just don't want to be classified as a poser for trying to make my bike something it isn't. Yes, its an LTD. Do I think the GPZ and standard are cooler looking, yes. Do I absolutely hate the LTD font and placement on my badge, very much so.

Yes, I farmed it out to my brother's buddy who does vinyl for a living. He did a great job.

As for being a poser, people with those types of comments and/or thoughts I choose not to associate with. It's your bike make it the way you want it.

Niiiice! :whistle: