KZ550 overheating?

Took my newly acquired KZ550 for a run yesterday and it drove well for the first hr even pushing heavy wind but last 10 mins oil light cam on and ran rough. I let it cool and rode home with the wind behind me and it ran well. Overheating perhaps? It was only 70 degress outside. Rode at around 65 - 70 mph around 6000rpm with only small hills. Any suggestions?

Check to make sure you have enough oil in it. I'm not that familiar with the 550s but the oil light on the bigger bikes is for oil pressure not temp. If it's the same on the 550 then you didn't have enough oil pressure for the last part of your ride.

good reminder. As it was my first ride on the KZ550, I checked the oil before I rode and filled it by guestimating. When the light came on I checked the oil again and it was overfull i.e. nothing but oil in the window and had to tilt away to see the level. Could overfilling cause oil pressure problem after 1 hr of riding? Also the bike has done 37,000 miles.

Thanks

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The oil light on my 550 will come on at idle when the bike is hot and the oil apparently thins out (oil level correct). IIRc I believe that I've also had it come on one time while riding two-up and maintaining 80-85mph. My motor has less than 5000 mis.

As mentioned above , the light is a low oil pressure light, not a temp or level indicator. Check your level carefully and maybe try some high quality motorcycle specific oil if you arent currently using one.

You should check your oil pressure with a mechanical gauge. Oil type and weight will change this some. You could have a pressure problem, caused by a worn oil pump, sticking bypass/ pressure valve, or to much clearance at your bearings. Best to be sure what the pressure is, then it could be as simple as a week oil light switch or a shorting to ground wire. Check it with a gauge hooked up and take it out for a ride and see it for real.