Driggs' 1981 Kawasaki GPz 550

Hey everyone.

Ive lurked on here over the years for various little bits and advice, and figured I would start a proper thread now that I am going to tear into my GPz a bit.

Short story Ive had the bike off and on twice in the past ten years. In the past 15 years it has done two cross country journies and lots and lots of useage. As of right now it has 123,000 miles on it

when I got it 10 years ago I was told it was used as a race bike and dragged for a bit. Was told that the engine was bored out, and some internal racing bits were installed, but until I rip things apart, I have no way to verify that.

I had intended on redoing it years ago, but the damn thing just wouldnt stop working perfectly. It leaks oil, but since Ive had a few british bikes, this is common for me

Before I moved to Oregon from Connecticut in October, the bike was having some running issues and the clutch started slipping (probably from the springs).

I have just ordered all new gaskets and will be doing a major overhaul on the engine, and every other bit my hands touch.

I dont plan on "cleaning" the bike up at all, as I love the wear on it. It doesnt look trashed at all, but when you see it, you can clearly see its used.

This will be my first time tearing into the bike majorly so Im very excited.

Heres what is not stock on the bike
-4 into 1 exhaust (not by me, unknown mfg)
-Removal of centerstand and reinforced side stand welding (not by me, because of the exhaust)
-Possible internal engine parts
-Led rear lamp, instrument, and all four turns (by me)
-factory steering stabilizer (is this common on the 81's? Ive never met another guy with one)
-period correct, 1982 leather gpZ jacket. The guy bought it with the gpz in 82 when he bought the bike at the dealer
-Marzocchi rear shocks

Other than those minor things the bike is stock. It has taught 6 people how to ride a motorcycle and has been my utter joy to drive. Its time I get it back in perfect mechanical shape.

Plan is
-Replace all engine gaskets, and sort out any damage or things that need fixing while in there
-Replace clutch and springs
-Replace/Clean/Do what needs doing to the ignition system
-Replace/Rebuild/Possibly upgrade all brake calipers
-Install gel battery to the tail cowl
-rebuild rear shocks with the kit that I got from Marz

Anywho, heres some pics!





dirty dirty shocks

nice little bikes. a friend had a kz550 elr back in the 80's. it was very quick for its size. it looks like a mac pipe.

theres a guy on ebay selling what seems to be the same pipe setup.

Love my kz550-d1.. Id love to get a 1100 too !

That is a MAC pipe. Why are you tearing into the engine, is there a problem?

What a great story. Two cross country trips and 123,000 miles on it. Wow
Love the jacket.
Thanks for the pics.

baldy110 wrote: That is a MAC pipe. Why are you tearing into the engine, is there a problem?

All the gaskets are leaking. And I want to do a lot of cleaning.

I also can't just replace one thing. I just ripped the entire front of my car apart because one ball joint was bad. Now I'm doing all the bushings, struts and bearing. Whoops

As of right now it has 123,000 miles on it

Wow!


I like my 550 as well!

Ive got an entire gasket set today in the mail, but theyre all paper gaskets... Whats everyones opinion on these? are there any other gaskets really?

What kind are they? They look decent from the picture. You will need a head gasket, i would recommend an OEM kawasaki head gasket.

THeyre from a guy on ebay.. I know its not the best place to go but they were cheap enough it was worth the risk!

And yeah a headgasket is being sorted out!

I never had a problem with home-made paper gaskets for valve cover, clutch, and trans, as long as the surfaces are cleaned perfectly. I also use antiseize on the clutch and valve cover.

If those small round gaskets are for the exhaust, I would not use them. The small trapezoid gaskets are not for your bike. They are for the emission ports on the valve cover, but your bike uses rubber gakets built inot the reed cage. I think later ZX550A's use those separate gaskets.

Nice looking bike, keep us updated on progress with it