Greetings from south Louisiana.

New to the site, new to riding, new to everything. Been wanting to get a bike for years but the wife was dead set against it. Finally I decided to build a cafe racer, so as long as the bike is in pieces my wife is happy. I did get to run it around the block a few times before I started tearing it down.

I'll have tons of questions, since being quite handy around the shop doesn't mean I know jack about tuning bikes. I been working on copiers, fax machines, printers, etc for over 20 years, but while they are very mechanical, they don't have carbs or combustion. Or handle bars, or forks...you get the point.

I just bought a 1981 KZ550 ltd. Small oil leak so I'm going to replace the gaskets. Other than that it was ready to ride until I started taking it apart. I've been lurking on the site for days and already I've learned plenty. But when I ask a stupid question, be gentle.

Thanks in advance.

Dale

Nice looking 550 ya got there. Welcome to KZR! I always hoped to come across a 550. Don't worry about questions. The only dumb one is the one you don't ask. So, whereabout's in LA are you located?

Baton Rouge area. And I saw your page with the bike you been working on. Very nice. Love the blue w/ white stripes.

Thanks boss.

Heck, you can do like I have done. Over a year, and I feel like it's never done. That should keep your wife happy.

Ain't that the truth! And the more I tear into it, the more I find to do. Just figured out that it's got an anti-smog gizmo in it, but that looks easy enough to by-pass. Then I've been reading about all the horror stories about guys using the pod filters, so my nice new pods that are still in the box may stay there. I wanted to put new open (or slightly dampened) pipes on it, but I been reading about guys on here having issues just like putting in the pods, rejetting nightmares...I guess I could rig it up like I want it and then take it to an expert and fork out the money to let them deal with the carbs.

At the rate I'm going, my wife will be happy for at least a year! LOL!!!

By the time you get it back together, bring it down I-10 to Houston, and I'll help you get the jets straight. I've got a datalogging O2 sensor setup, and by the time you're running I should be an expert with that thing. Jetting isn't all that hard. You just have to make one change at a time, test, and repeat.

Welcome Dale, welcome to KZRider. Tell your wife that she shouldn't have to worry about anything until the 2nd and 3rd bike appears in the garage.

testarossa wrote:

By the time you get it back together, bring it down I-10 to Houston, and I'll help you get the jets straight. I've got a datalogging O2 sensor setup, and by the time you're running I should be an expert with that thing. Jetting isn't all that hard. You just have to make one change at a time, test, and repeat.

Don't be surprised if I take you up on that one of these days...thanks!:lol:

Mcdroid, if I brought in another one, she'd be out there with a hammer beating on all of them. :S

welcome aboard

Mcdroid wrote:

Welcome Dale, welcome to KZRider. Tell your wife that she shouldn't have to worry about anything until the 2nd and 3rd bike appears in the garage.

The last statement is very true. Ask most people on here and many will say one bike is just not enough. Welcome to KZR