TNK's '83 KZ550LTD

Picked up this bike for free, well $17 if you count trailer rental, and it seems to be quite the project, and it will take a while because I am broke, will most likely be lookin for lots of parts for this, hope you guys have some spares layin around









Todays progress:

looks good man! I am having tonnes of fun working on my bike this winter, I'm sure you will too, and then come spring you can ride it and know it's ready to go!

btw, you're the "new kid" right...ummm, do you live on a block per chance? lol

Nice project. Looks like you have your work cut out for you.

Yours is the KZ550M, if I'm not mistaken. You may want to include the M in your signature to distinguish from the C LTD, which is chain drive and uses different carbs.

I see hours and dollars!

Try to enjoy losing both :laugh:

labor of love as they say...

Cheers.

TeK9iNe wrote:

I see hours and dollars!

Try to enjoy losing both :laugh:

labor of love as they say...

Cheers.

I picked up the bike because I have too much time and nothing to do, till now. but I don't have any money, got some of my other bikes for sale but I don't think anyone is wanting to buy them :huh:

i dig the 'Kawasaki' in script on the tank. Just take your time and have fun with it. And the less stuff you try to reuse, the less it will frustrate you.

Spit, polish and cleaning don't cost too much and it will give you a better idea of what needs to get done. Our first thing we do to bikes like that is to give it a wd douche. To halt the rust, soften the dirt and help the rubber. Then work front to back taking your time. The carbs, air intake, electrical. Fun stuff and inspiring as you see her throw off the neglect. Kind of like Baron Frankenstein the best is when you can yell to the heavens "IT LIVES!!!!! BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!"! :ohmy: GLUCK!

I agree, A lot of cleaning will inspire you to work on it.

It will look five times better with a good cleaning. Roy

"I have too much time and nothing to do, till now"... OK, translations is he's single... good for you Kid!
On your new Kawi that is.... :laugh:

Granted, we don't know all the details of her internal operations or conditions but a couple weekends cleaning and buffing that old girl out, possibly some new paint here and there she'll look just sweet ass fine!

Keep the images coming as you progress....

OMR

Gotta love those 550's!!

Great bike and yes keep us posted with new pics!

Old Man Rock wrote:

"I have too much time and nothing to do, till now"... OK, translations is he's single... good for you Kid!
On your new Kawi that is.... :laugh:

sorry, wrong. She spends a lot of her time here with me wrenchin on my bikes. :lol: she likes to ride with me, which is cool... will get todays progress posted here soon

sorry guys, no update pics today. batteries are dead in the camera, it will be a few days before I can get some batteries... but here's what we did today:

pulled apart one of the carbs, looks like it will work just fine with a little cleaning... diaphrams are good.

plans so far:
pod filters
new (used) guages
diamond plate side covers (home made)
black tank (possible recreating of the kawisaki pinstriping)
drag bars
cleaned and painted headers
possible seat reupholstery
definetly new tires

suggestions or insprational pics anyone?