US 550 hits Europe

Hello Girls,

got a new cutie for 200 bucks and plan a conversion with GPZ 550 mechanic & electric.

I´m really surprised how many differences are between the US and EU model.

Please tell me that she`s nice and worth a build up My wife allready yelled around what I want with this crap - lol (do I care? yes! I do - where I get the parts from for the rebuild)

Hello Früchtekuchen (Fruit Cake)... Nice bike for $200.00 U.S. Dollar. However I'm thinking your new to you GPz550 isn't fast enough for the Autobahn and some Old Lady in a GTI will show you the Tail Lights son. Fahrvergnügen dude.

Very cool bike. OBVIOUSLY it's worth the build-up; especially since you got in at such a low dollar!!!
-KR

The first gpz550 was quicker than the original Z1.

You are doing good for $200.

Looks like you already got the dual disk in front.

If you convert the motor to gpz spec, don't forget the oil cooler. That's probably the first step to do. It'll require a gpz oil pan.

Next, swap pistons and cams. Then the only difference will be the main jets in the carbs.

Make sure to download all the manuals in my signature. I don't know how long they will be there.

loudhvx wrote: Make sure to download all the manuals in my signature. I don't know how long they will be there.

Sidetrack- loudhvx, for future reference (if needed) you can upload them to Google Docs and share them with everyone. You'll be able to link directly to them, as you are now. And it's free.

THanks, I'll check it out.

Hello Guys,

thanks

@Loudhvx - Thanks for the manuals. hmmm yes I seen US half litre KZ`s with single disc but never in Europe, even my 1980 500 have double discs. I change motor completely - don`t want to bother a KZ engine to KZ and want make sure that all parts are worn together in the same way. Other strange thing is that the US KZ runs with a drum in the back wheel - all EU KZs have discs.

200 bucks for such a bike is very common here - not a bargain. On other hand near nothing works on it so it really have no more than idealistic value as a start to get something up. Noone like it here below 1000 cc`s - exept Frankensteins daughter the Z1 900. Good GPZ`s 550 are available for aproxm 4-500 bucks and even 750`s are pretty low in price. But like with every rebuild the purchase of the project is the lowest sum. If you rebuild all you have 3,5 - 4 grands on your ticker but on other hand a unique, new old bike rescued from waste ready for tons of miles, joy & fun.