New guy from MN
- KevinK121
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New guy from MN
27 Jul 2014 18:53 - 28 Jul 2014 18:24
Hello all,
My name's Kevin and I just picked up this KZ550
Ive never owned a bike before but have had the bug for one for a couple years.
Im not a rich guy and had originally planned on an early 80's Virago bobber build.
After about 100 failed attempts of contacting people on craigslist I opened up my search to other makes and models. I found this bike 2 hours after posting for 500 bucks and was there the next day to put half the cash in his hand.
I got lucky in this purchase because it was listed as not running but when I went to see it it started right up.
Granted it ran pretty rough and didnt want to idle but it started all the same(more than I could have hoped for at that price)
Either way left work early on Friday to get my permit and got a ride there directly after and rode it home. When I got it home I noticed a plug wire wasnt even connected to the plug haha. Popped it back on and it ran infinitely better. What a score Id say.
Still it needs some work and I dont know the first place to start tuning it back up.
I figure first Ill Clean and sync the carbs but after that Im really lost so expect me to be asking for details on whatever I find on here.
My name's Kevin and I just picked up this KZ550

Ive never owned a bike before but have had the bug for one for a couple years.
Im not a rich guy and had originally planned on an early 80's Virago bobber build.
After about 100 failed attempts of contacting people on craigslist I opened up my search to other makes and models. I found this bike 2 hours after posting for 500 bucks and was there the next day to put half the cash in his hand.
I got lucky in this purchase because it was listed as not running but when I went to see it it started right up.
Granted it ran pretty rough and didnt want to idle but it started all the same(more than I could have hoped for at that price)
Either way left work early on Friday to get my permit and got a ride there directly after and rode it home. When I got it home I noticed a plug wire wasnt even connected to the plug haha. Popped it back on and it ran infinitely better. What a score Id say.
Still it needs some work and I dont know the first place to start tuning it back up.
I figure first Ill Clean and sync the carbs but after that Im really lost so expect me to be asking for details on whatever I find on here.
Last edit: 28 Jul 2014 18:24 by KevinK121.
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- KevinK121
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- 650ed
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Re: New guy from MN
28 Jul 2014 18:05
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Welcome aboard!
Here's some info you should find useful (see link). Ed
kzrider.com/forum/10-new-members/589649-...r-savannah-ga#594587
Welcome aboard!
Here's some info you should find useful (see link). Ed
kzrider.com/forum/10-new-members/589649-...r-savannah-ga#594587
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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- kzz1king
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Re: New guy from MN
28 Jul 2014 18:17I never welcome the new guys! Clicked on here because I am in the neighboring state of ND. Good score and good luck.KevinK121 wrote: Such a warm welcome lol....
Wayne
74 Z1 1075, 29 smoothbores, owned and ridden since 1976
Home built KZ1000 turbo setup
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/532476...s-budget-turbo-build
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/532489-74-z-makeover
Home built KZ1000 turbo setup
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/532476...s-budget-turbo-build
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/532489-74-z-makeover
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- KevinK121
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Re: New guy from MN
28 Jul 2014 18:21 - 28 Jul 2014 18:25
Thank you
and thanks 2x for the excellent info. What oil do you personally use?
This bike only has 15xxx miles do you think it would be a bit prudent to switch to dino this early? I use semi synthetic in my car to bridge the gap of having something a bit thicker to combat internal grooving and pitting but yet having something that runs a bit smoother.
Thanks again.
*does this site always require captcha?*
and thanks 2x for the excellent info. What oil do you personally use?
This bike only has 15xxx miles do you think it would be a bit prudent to switch to dino this early? I use semi synthetic in my car to bridge the gap of having something a bit thicker to combat internal grooving and pitting but yet having something that runs a bit smoother.
Thanks again.
*does this site always require captcha?*
Last edit: 28 Jul 2014 18:25 by KevinK121.
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- KevinK121
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- NakedFun
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Re: New guy from MN
29 Jul 2014 10:55
Welcome. Lots of MN riders around here.
Cory
Cory
2008 Kawasaki Concours 14
1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1976 Kawasaki KZ900
1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1976 Kawasaki KZ900
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- KevinK121
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Re: New guy from MN
29 Jul 2014 12:00
Awesome. If any MN riders are checking in I'd like to know what area they're from.
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- 83KZ750LTD
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Re: New guy from MN
29 Jul 2014 12:07
Welcome to the forums. I'm in Cottage Grove. Looks like you did pretty good at $500. I paid over double that for my 750.
1983 KZ750-F1 LTD - 8000 miles - 2/2015 - Head gasket time!
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- NakedFun
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Re: New guy from MN
29 Jul 2014 12:48KevinK121 wrote: Awesome. If any MN riders are checking in I'd like to know what area they're from.
Yeah I am currently in Bloomington on the Eden Praire border.
Cory
2008 Kawasaki Concours 14
1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1976 Kawasaki KZ900
1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1976 Kawasaki KZ900
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- KevinK121
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Re: New guy from MN
29 Jul 2014 19:03
Cottage grove, nice I once went out there early to cruise around the Grey Cloud Tr roads before my friend had his car tuned at MAP
I come from an import tuner sort of background lol
My other toy is a 2003 Acura RSX-S
Its so far definitely different trying to look up information on different parts. With my car I can find literally hundreds of different forum links for every bit of thing but I cant even get a for sure answer on whether or not I have the TK22 carbs or not on the bike.
Im guessing a lot of the learning is going to be just tearing stuff aparrt and what not. I have friends who dabble in older bikes but they arent very close friends. I need a good source of information haha. Maybe Ill try to get an original service manual.
I come from an import tuner sort of background lol
My other toy is a 2003 Acura RSX-S
Its so far definitely different trying to look up information on different parts. With my car I can find literally hundreds of different forum links for every bit of thing but I cant even get a for sure answer on whether or not I have the TK22 carbs or not on the bike.
Im guessing a lot of the learning is going to be just tearing stuff aparrt and what not. I have friends who dabble in older bikes but they arent very close friends. I need a good source of information haha. Maybe Ill try to get an original service manual.
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- KevinK121
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Re: New guy from MN
29 Jul 2014 19:05
Right, I forgot. Im currently out in Rockford. The bike is currently in Minneapolis at a friends. Its likely I wont do any big work on it until the winter time storing comes along. Until then Itll probably just be a carb clean/tune and ride it until it snows. Thats if the carb tune gets it running better.
Anyways, so long for now
Anyways, so long for now
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