$50 Bike and the Start of a New Project!

I've been looking to start a project since my first bike 14 years ago. Hopefully, this KZ550 becomes an awesome cafe racer! I'm looking for inspiration, ideas, and, most importantly, words of advice/caution.

Getting it home was... quite the endeavour.





This thing is rough, really rough. The engine looks good, but it's been sitting outside without spark plugs or a carb for who knows how long. Looks like this is going to be a 'from the ground up' type of build! But, can't beat a good frame and engine for $50.





This is the middle of the second day. Most of the screw bolts were stripped so it's taking forever getting this thing apart. Now that it's mostly naked I'm hitting the pencil and paper to do some planning. Does anyone have good advice for making/finding a solid looking tank?




I wanna go full vintage looking cafe on this. Thinking bronze and green for the colors. All gauges and indicators will take inspiration from steampunk. Stripping all unnecessary items. Only including indicator items that make it street legal. I've got access to 3d printers and lazer cutters, so I'm going to have a field day!

Welcome. The KZ550 is an awesome engine.
You may want to consider some subframe surgery to get rid of the "swayback" look.

I'd keep it stock. :dry:
Steve

Welcome aboard James! Good candidate for a cafe racer bike. I say that since I think it would be too expensive to restore to original, Although I don't know exactly what model (LTD, etc ..), it is probably not a rare collectable model. The main thing I would be concerned about it that it sat outside without the carb or spark plugs for who knows how long. My guess would be that it will require a complete engine rebuild. This alone can run into a $1200+ if you do the work yourself and maybe have the head and honing done by a shop. Estimate that it will cost at least $2500 (with a basic paint job). I would go with a 81 Gpz style gas tank and not the original style tank for that bike. That is more of a subjective taste. If you can weld, you have the option of choosing from other makes or models. What every you do, best to look at a tank before purchasing it. A tank with no visible rust inside and out is worth the extra money. I have thrown money away purchasing old tanks that looked good from the outside, only to find out they have pinholes. Good luck.

Thanks!

Yeah, I'm working today to get the engine pulled apart to see what damage is in there. Hopefully not much. /-: If there is, I'm not too worried about it, It's already been worth the $50. Two day's entertainment!

I thought about restoring all stock! But the cost would be crazy. There's so much missing in terms of electrical and body.

ThatGPzGuy wrote: Welcome. The KZ550 is an awesome engine.
You may want to consider some subframe surgery to get rid of the "swayback" look.

I was thinking of that, yeah. I am a welder so the sky's the limit. But I found some pretty slick builds where they matched the seat to the bend in the top of the frame, and it looked super cool. Gotta mock that up and see how comfy it is....

I'm not sure if I'm going to need to modify the front end. I probably wont, considering it's my first build.

Here's the bike.
custom-bikes-for-sale.com/wp-content/cus...12-06-1-1024x682.jpg

This solution is cool too

There was a good condition KZ550 "standard" tank at my local salvage last time I was there, he wanted $50 for it. It would look great on a cafe. The teardrops don't IMO. I can see if he still has it the next time I swing by. I've been thinking of checking over there for a brake MC anyway.

swest wrote: I'd keep it stock. :dry:
Steve

That one ain't exactly a survivor Steve. It a good candidate for a cafe/bob/chop job. Its a $50 blank canvas.

Now when its a pristine barn find with all original parts that looks like its just rolled off the dealer floor.... Yeah then I'm with you.

From what I could see, it didn't look too bad.
Steve


Bossie took polishing and a little paint. Bought new fenders but I could have bought used off eBay for much less.

thejameswilliam wrote: [I was thinking of that, yeah. I am a welder so the sky's the limit. But I found some pretty slick builds where they matched the seat to the bend in the top of the frame, and it looked super cool. Gotta mock that up and see how comfy it is....

I'm not sure if I'm going to need to modify the front end. I probably wont, considering it's my first build.

Here's the bike.
custom-bikes-for-sale.com/wp-content/cus...12-06-1-1024x682.jpg

This solution is cool too

That is a pretty good solution. Still, if you can do it I would consider straightening that out and bringing the shock more upright. Looks too much like a LTD/Special.

steampunk