KZ550 Military Bobber

danimal138
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KZ550 Military Bobber

08 Feb 2011 08:19

Well I figure I might as well start a build thread.
I think its an 80 or so kz550, got it free and it looked like this..

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danimal138
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Re: KZ550 Military Bobber

08 Feb 2011 08:24 - 08 Feb 2011 08:33

#429378

here is the bike after a few days.. I really dont have a plan, I kind of just figure it out 5 min a day(when you have two toddlers you dont have much more.) basic crap, cut the frame, removed springs replaced with 10 in solid struts i made, this is with the first seat(original cut and recovered) and a mock up rear fender.. nothing crazy

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Last edit: 08 Feb 2011 08:33 by danimal138. Reason: pic

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danimal138
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Re: KZ550 Military Bobber

08 Feb 2011 08:40

#429389

ok here is how it sits today.. cut the frame a little more and rewelded it, I made a battery box and front seat mount from alum diamond plate, the seat is steel diamond plate with C-130 brake springs welded on(not very springy come to find out) removed front turn signals, tachometer, key ignition switch(the switch is now on the frame under in front of the tank, im sure im leaving something out but whatever..

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danimal138
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Re: KZ550 Military Bobber

08 Feb 2011 08:42 - 08 Feb 2011 08:46

#429392

So future plans are to add some ammo can saddle bags, humvee tail light on the back of each can, Im in the middle of making an english wheel(lets hope that works) and then ill make a real fender. my first attempt at a fender failed using just a metal shrinker and a roller but whatever right? if anyone wants the Marine Pattern digital seat let me know, im about to throw it out..

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Last edit: 08 Feb 2011 08:46 by danimal138.

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550A2
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Re: KZ550 Military Bobber

08 Feb 2011 09:08 - 08 Feb 2011 09:10

#429405

Sweet! i like the army theme, and i think the ammo box saddle bag design with lights built in is a cool original idea.

I havent seen anyone bob a boxy tank kz 550 standard like mine.

Looks good so far. Im thinkin some black drag bars would give it a cleaner sleek look.

-Luke

82 Honda ATC 200-sold
82 Yamaha Virago 920-sold
82 Yamaha YZ250j-kept
80 Suzuki GS 550-sold
82 Kawasaki KZ550 A2-ride all the time
79 Kawasaki KZ650 C-sold
73 Kawasaki Z1 900E-paid $200, sold $6000
86 Yamaha Radian YX600-new project

Last edit: 08 Feb 2011 09:10 by 550A2.

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danimal138
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Re: KZ550 Military Bobber

08 Feb 2011 09:17

#429414

I didn't like the tank at first but it has really grown on me.. just going to raise the front and move it back a few inches... as for the bars thats a good idea.. ill Fab some up soon at work and see how they look.. they are 7/8 bars right?

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JonZweifel
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Re: KZ550 Military Bobber

08 Feb 2011 09:19

#429415

Looking pretty cool so far man, glad to see another 550 bobber same year as me!(or atleast 80-82 lol)
Ill deff keep up with it and see what you do, the saddle bags are an awesome idea especially with the lights built in

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550A2
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Re: KZ550 Military Bobber

08 Feb 2011 09:26

#429420

danimal138 wrote:

I didn't like the tank at first but it has really grown on me.. just going to raise the front and move it back a few inches... as for the bars thats a good idea.. ill Fab some up soon at work and see how they look.. they are 7/8 bars right?

Same here with the tank, i love it now, Pretty unique to me.

Yep 7/8 od is the size.

82 Honda ATC 200-sold
82 Yamaha Virago 920-sold
82 Yamaha YZ250j-kept
80 Suzuki GS 550-sold
82 Kawasaki KZ550 A2-ride all the time
79 Kawasaki KZ650 C-sold
73 Kawasaki Z1 900E-paid $200, sold $6000
86 Yamaha Radian YX600-new project

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danimal138
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Re: KZ550 Military Bobber

08 Feb 2011 14:23

#429497

Thanks folks, I cant wait to see how this bike rides/power level.. I did some doughnuts when I first got it, but thats the first time it ran in a few years. I still have the carbs to check out and re-jet and who knows what else is wrong(lets hope not much). but hey thats what this forum is for

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bigbeardan
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Re: KZ550 Military Bobber

08 Feb 2011 18:40

#429545

dude, lovin the bike. i just got a 81 kz550 few days ago and was wantin to hardtail and chop cuz i not really seen any bobbers i really liked, but this one is turnin out pretty sweet!!

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danimal138
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Re: KZ550 Military Bobber

08 Feb 2011 19:43

#429564

Thanks man, I really don't know what I'm doing but will end up with a hardtail eventually. I was just thinking of how the wwII bikes had the license plate on the front fender... well there I go again, maybe I should finish the rear seat mount first.. or the rats nest of wires that need to go in the battery box

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djturnz
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Re: KZ550 Military Bobber

09 Feb 2011 04:35

#429598

If you are keeping that tank, you ought to think about rolling the seam. It is a subtle change that really cleans up the lines.

1982 KZ750 (4) LTD

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