KZ550 NooB in portland oregon

New to the kz550,riding 20 years
Don't know which kz 550 I have,I know it is not a ltd
looking to make a streetfighter/commuter out of this,should be a fun project(probably expensive):laugh:
currently riding a 06 yamaha fjr 1300
44 years old,retired welder/fabricator
currently a Q.C. welding inspector.
I would like to update the front end to inverted forks,twin brakes in front and mono shock rear running 17" wheels front and back.
anyone else doing this kind of project? I know I will need some technical help for fitment of these newer parts.

Welcome.

You have a KZ550 A2 Standard.

It looks better than what i started with! I have a 1980 model. Does it run?

I switched mine to a monoshock and added twin brakes in front but stayed with stock wheels and forks.

Here is a link to my thread: kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...imit=20&limitstart=0

Welcome!
I don't know 550s much, so I can't tell which model it is.
Looks like its all there. A little Simple Green will make your
engine shine again.

harm wrote:

Welcome.

You have a KZ550 A2 Standard.

It looks better than what i started with! I have a 1980 model. Does it run?

I switched mine to a monoshock and added twin brakes in front but stayed with stock wheels and forks.

Here is a link to my thread: kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...imit=20&limitstart=0

yes it DID until I took it apart(ran very roughly,spewing gas out of the float bowls,thought it might be a good idea to shut things
down)
thanks for letting me know what model I have,just bought it
monday and haven't bought a haynes manaul yet for all the tricky
stuff
BTW great lookin bike,I was looking at your bike just before I posted this thread

Yeah! Another Portlander!!!

So was that the bike from Beaverton adversised on CL earlier this week? What did you end up paying for it?

I've got an '82 KZ550 LTD in my garage right now with the engine torn down. It belongs to a guy I work with. He asked me to help him find an older bike that he could ride to work. That same week, my cousin called me and said he wanted to get a new bike, and wanted to sell his 550 cheap. So I put the two in contact, and they made the deal. I told my coworker that I would help him get the bike fixed up. I would donate my time if he bought the parts. I'm just doing it because I love working on these bikes, and it was a chance to hone my skills and learn a new bike model.

Right now, I've got the top end torn down to replace all the top-end gaskets and seals, valves lapped, valve clearances adjusted, carbs cleaned--and a lot of rust removal. Cousin left the damn thing out in the rain.

Anyhow, I'm in West Linn. If I can be of any assistance with your project, let me know.

BTW, I love your bike trailer. Did you buy it like that, or did you make the front wheel bracket?

"borrowed" the trailer from my bud,made a few improvements
new wheels,extended drawbar,3' extended bed (in diamond plate)
new wheel chock from harbor freight(less than $40)
I'm sure glad I have something new to work on instead of that
damn trailer.
YES that was the same bike.I paid what he was asking($500),it ran(rough),
new battery, clean title
and he loaded it on my trailer for me