Finally found a kz550 (non ltd)

Well as it states finally found a bike Ive looked for for over 2 yrs with not 1 lead!!! 81 kz550 (non ltd) only 4k original miles. Bikes has only been ridden 5 times ever. Once to Sturgis 2 times to WV and a couple times around Ohio. Good shape, a bit moldy from sitting in a wood shed. Haven't touched it yet but I am going to be doing some major changes (purists look away). I am planning on making major changes, fully reversible should I ever sell, but it will be a cafe racer painted in kawis famous green with lambos ithica verde pearl over top. Can't figure out what these bikes are worth or why they are SOO rare to find but there is sentimental value being the first bike I've ever ridden on the street which was my older brothers and his old bike was let go after 30 yrs and destroyed by an idiot whom left it to rot outside. This bike, if nobody is familiar(unlikely on here) was a timeless bike with ample power smooth comfortable riding and good looks for it's age. All to be improved. Excited to take this journey this fall/winter. For those interested, and heard of my past projects, you can find me on YouTube @ engineinformant (self plug but not really) if your interest in other projects I have done. Anyhow, point of this post is to inquire anything I should look for after 22 yrs of sitting?

Read Nessism's post "new owner things to know " for some good advice.
Welcome to our version of fun!
And we're big fans of progress pictures.

I'm going through a similar project, having also sat close to 20 years.
Go through all the maintenace items.
Change all the fluids.
Replace a lot of the rubber bits and anything else needed.
New tires, brake lines, brakes etc.

Post some pictures.

s3.amazonaws.com/gpzweb/index.html

thanks.one other ting I need to do that I can think of is convert the tach to electronic. Theres not much good info google has found any ideas how to get it done?

wrote:

thanks.one other ting I need to do that I can think of is convert the tach to electronic. Theres not much good info google has found any ideas how to get it done?

 

You need to run one of these plugs after taking off the tach cable then the tach drive off the cylinder head.

 

Z1 ent lists them as fitting 1980 and up KZ550 engines.

When you hook up the electronic tach you attach the signal wire (usually green) to one coils negative terminal. If it just a single gauge then its dead easy, you can usually find switched power and ground in the headlight shell.

 

Most digital tachs come with instructions on how they wire up but I have found it is sometimes easier to make a short custom harness depending on if it is a complete digital dashboard (multi pin plug) to get them to plug into a stock KZ wire harness.

 

 
 

No disrespect, but if I came across a cream puff KZ550A, the last thing I'd be looking to do is modify it.  It will take a LOT of work to bring it back to good running order, without mods, so why add confusion?  Not to mention, anything you do to it will likely decrease its value.  I'd be focusing on getting it running like mother Kawasaki intended, then at some point later, way later, consider mods.