Starting 550 project , need opinions

I'm about to start a project on a 550 . I basically am looking for thoughts on two things (?'s below).
My intention is to build a naked sport bike with some minor to moderate upgrades over stock , while retaining the classic '80's look .

I plan to use:
-laced rims, Fr 2.5x18 Rr 3.5x18& single front disc
-basic gloss black paint scheme
-mix of black and alum/silver components .
-stock motor w/pods and 4/1 Kerker or Jardine (have)
-stock bodywork
-frame stripped of unneces. brackets & powdercoated
-forks will be either GPZ1100(have)or 95-97 ZX6r
-billet CNC'ed triple clamps
-Cal Fab sw-arm & Fox or Koni shocks (have)

Question 1- I have some 750 twin hubs already but I was thinking of using some modern KTM hubs and supermoto front brake setup and KTM/Brembo dirtbike rear caliper/carrier . Any opinions ??

Question 2- I have 2 bikes that I could use :
-1980 KZ550a , stock , 10kmi , clean-not mint
-1981 GPz550 , 40k rat
Should I cut up a nice KZ or spend $1000 freshening up the GPz motor w/615 kit and rebuilt head etc. ??

KZ pic i163.photobucket.com/albums/t289/mg15_photos/DSC01286.jpg

Post edited by: hannah1, at: 2008/01/17 14:20

I would keep the original clean bike and use the other for your project.

EasyRider1 wrote:

I would keep the original clean bike and use the other for your project.

X2

That bike is waaaay too nice to go hacking it up. I don't know what the GPZ looks like but instead of spending 1K on a rebuild I might look for a decent used engine or a non-running low mileage 550 that turns over and needs the usual, carb clean etc. As much as I like the 550's they don't fetch much when you try to re-sell them, so I'd be real careful before I dumped alot of money in one unless you plan on keeping it forever. JMHO.

Edit: BTW I hate you, that garage is waaaaay too nice.:whistle:

Post edited by: The Gringo, at: 2008/01/17 15:13

That's pretty much why I posted the question . I had the same thoughts about taking the KZ apart . I'll try to find a decent lower mileage motor . The only 550's that brind good money are perfect '81 GPz's .

Thats a nice middleweight standard. Be a shame to cut it all up. Id surely find another donor. Another GPZ if possible.

I have to agree also. Keep the Kz as it is. The bike looks great.Matter o fact, better looking than mine right the moment. If you decide to go ahead with a Gpz project, I have some left over donor parts from my project.

I've pulled apart 4 of them so far. As of right now, I have one donor left with a few extra (to me) parts. I can't vouch for the milage or the condition of the motor but i do have one sitting in a frame. The only thing missing on the motor is ignition cover and ignition parts that i know of with out going out to the garage to look.

If the Gpz is the route ya take and need parts, PM me, I might have it laying around.Here's a pic of the motor i have right now. It is either an 81 or 82 but i'd have to double check.

Breeze wrote:

I have to agree also. Keep the Kz as it is. The bike looks great.Matter o fact, better looking than mine right the moment. If you decide to go ahead with a Gpz project, I have some left over donor parts from my project.

I've pulled apart 4 of them so far. As of right now, I have one donor left with a few extra (to me) parts. I can't vouch for the milage or the condition of the motor but i do have one sitting in a frame. The only thing missing on the motor is ignition cover and ignition parts that i know of with out going out to the garage to look.

If the Gpz is the route ya take and need parts, PM me, I might have it laying around.Here's a pic of the motor i have right now. It is either an 81 or 82 but i'd have to double check.

The bike in that photo is an 82 or 83 KZ550 H gpz. It can be identified by the red 5-spoke wheels and the rear mono-shock (first on any street bike if I recall). The 81 KZ550 D gpz had black 7-spoke wheels and dual rear shocks. The motor internally is almost the same for 81 and 83. The BIG difference is the carbs and the intake port sizes.

The carbs will not be a direct swap, and the airboxes are not really interchangeable. If you put the 82 engine in an 81 frame, you'll have to make the 81 carbs fit the motor so you can use the airbox, or use the 82 carbs without the airbox. (Or you could make the 81 carbs fit and not use the airbox anyway.) If you lengthen the mounting holes into ovals on the 81 carb holders, you can fit them to the 82 head. Then the 81 carbs can be bolted to the 82 motor. (The carb spacing is the same center-to-center, only the throat diameters are different.

THREAD STARTED WITH MY "HANNAH1" ID , AKA "mjg15" , depending which one I can get to log in on any given day .

My project has changed direction . To those who expressed concern about cutting up the stock KZ , you may rest easy , it will be spared . I will probably sell it or restore it (it's about 4th in the project queue) .

Looks like the beater/parts bike '81 GPz550 will get the attention this time . I was mainly concerned that the 40,000 mile motor wasn't worth using and would be too expensive to properly rebuild . Finding a low mileage replacement isn't easy either since the 550's havent been produced in over 20 years . I have purchased a '99 Katana 750 that I will be using the motor from (and complete electrics , instruments and switchgear) . 90hp for $650 seemed like a pretty good place to start . I don't feel too bad about sticking a Suzuki motor in a Kaw since this bike would have been parted/junked anyway . The early GSXR/Katana motors look like traditional air-cooled DOHC motors too .

So far I have the GPz stripped to the frame and will be doing the same to the Kat750 this weekend . After prelim measurment it looks promising , the motors are very similar in size . Surely the surprises will come when I actually try to fit it in (not my first frankenbike project)

I also have a complete KZ1000P front end and rear wheel , along with a CalFab swingarm and some Ohlins shocks to fit onto it .

I'll post some pics as things progress .

hey let me know if u need any parts.. i needed up killing my 81 550 build. i still have everything but the frame.. body work is in really good shape.. let me know..