KZ 550 And Things Update.

So I got the new sprockets installed with an O-ring chain. I don't know if the '82 KZ550 LTD's came with an O-ring chain or not. It had a standard chain on it but now it's upgraded. I've been riding it a lot. Got new throttle cables from Z1E thanks guys for the "get your parts here." I haven't ridden it since I changed the sprockets I hope the 17/38 makes it feel better at high speeds. I painted the gas tank and removed a crap load of rust from the bike (I'll get some pics soon). Oh, does anyone have a right side reflector? It would be the one that goes on the neck below the handle bars. There is a piece of black trim with a yellow/orange reflector in it on the left side and just two screws on the right so I need one.

I'm going for my road test soon I am still a little slow at taking off and tight cornering at low speeds. Does anyone have any pointers or exercises to help a new rider get better? As soon as I put the tank and seat back on I'll get some pics, wish I took some "before" pics.

Est, saddle time and repetition in a open (non challenging) environ work well. Empty Mall parking lots w/marked parking slots are great for reference. riding slow is Much more difficult, and a quicker teaching aid than cruising. (an exersize I still use daily) New/advanced courses are GREAT, I only wish I'd had the sense to take one before establishing bad habits. ride well, have fun G

Take a Motorcycle rider training course, here in IL it was $20 I dont know about NJ. I had been riding for quite a while before I took the course and I still learned plenty.
Tom

As Gane and Buda said, time in the saddle AND a motorcycle safety course, it is well worth the time. It may save your life!

can't wait to see some pics!!

Here are the pictures as promised. When I got the bike it had a high back seat that was completely covered with duct tape. The bike was neglected and rusty this is what it looks like so far. I wish I took some before shots. The seat is NOS the tank looks a little strange because there were some dents in it, the one on the left was particularly large. The guy I bought it from said the original owner laid it down. My friend filled the dents with fiberglass filler. The tank inside is clean so we just filled the dents in rather than replace the whole tank. I painted it with rattle cans, we're not that great with body work.

The tack gauge glass was broken I fixed that with a piece of Lexan. The brake lever's end ball is broken off I'm guessing when it was laid down. New levers are on order. The guy that sold it to me said he replaced the handle bars and a few other miscellaneous things he took off an old KZ440. The grab bar was the one that came on it with the high back seat. I cut and re-welded it lower, it looks ok I guess. I put rubber at the top of it for grip I may remove that. The grips are eBay and whatever shine you see on the bike is 100% pure all natural biodegradable elbow grease. It only comes in small quantities but soon I’ll have the whole thing looking top notch.

Well, I passed my road test today. It wasn't as hard as I thought it was gonna be. Now, I am a fully licensed rider :woohoo: