Best looking KZ550?

Ran across this during some google searches. Thought I'd scrape the photos and post them here for inspiration.

Done by Manuele Spadoni.

Not sure which model it is. Judging by the dual disks in front, no oil cooler, drum in the back, and CV carbs, I am guessing it's a European model that we did not get in the U.S.

Very tidy, but not ridden. Ed

.......yet ED...........you gotta take those sexy pictures before the dirt gets on it. Very tidy looking bike

I'll still vote for a stock 1981 GPZ550 or a 1980 /81 KZ550A as best looking 550. The 550 was a nice motorcycle.
ZR550 Zephyr was nice too.

Ahh, yes, I did only say "looking". If that tank is not metal, you can't use the moonshine most of the U.S. passes for fuel. I wonder if that tank is actually just a shell hiding the coils and a small metal tank underneath.

But, other than that, I don't see anything obvious that makes it un-rideable for at least short trips.

The hydraulic clutch setup is very cool, but I've never felt the need for it on the 550. It has one of the lightest, smoothest clutches I know of, as long as it's all factory parts. (The 650's are very good as well, when stock.)

The rear brake rod will add "springiness" to the rear brake actuation, which makes for less feel, and easier lockup, but that should not be too hard to fix by putting the rod-to-pedal connection on the other side of the frame, like on a stock frame.

All that aside, for a cafe/brat/whatever it is, it's the nicest kz550 I've seen.

Sharp looking bike but I wouldn't want to get stuck in traffic, those exhaust pipes will cook you alive
Nice seeing a fresh set of Avons, it reminds of whats waiting for me down stairs.

JD

Headstock says zr550a, if I'm not mistaken that is a 550 zephyr, the 90s type ones? Or instead of just kz in the us and z worldwide did they also throw in zr elsewhere?

Yes, good eye. That must be the European Zr550A.

Europe got a Zr550A which was not a Zephyr, but more like a cross between a '82/'83 Kz550H1/H2 (gpz) and an '83 Kz550A4 (standard).

The motor had the standard Kz performance variant due to having no oil cooler, so it likely has standard performance cams, and the lower 9.5 compression (gpz was 10.0). So it's basically a Kz550A4 motor.

The frame looks very much like the '82/'83 Kz550H1/H2 frame. The U.S. Zr550B (zephyr) had dual shocks, but the European Zr550A models had the rear end from the '82/'83 KZ550 H1/H2 (gpz).

Notice the wheels have 5 spokes, not the usual 7. That makes the wheels similar to the KZ550H (gpz). But the rear has a drum like the Kz550A, whereas the Kz550H had a rear disk.

Another vote for the 1981 GPz550 as best of the breed.

I bought one that looked like that when I was deciding if I wanted to ride again after the wreak. It wasn't that clean but it was nice. $500. It didn't take long for me to start on Bossie. That little thing was great. Had about the same power curve, a lot lighter but I missed the power and long gears of the old Z1. I had the bug back. I couldn't help it and had her back on the road a year later. I sold the KZ back to the guy I bought it from. He said he knew if I rode it I'd be hooked again. I should have kept it.
Steve

Nessism wrote: Another vote for the 1981 GPz550 as best of the breed.

agreed, my favorite of all the big zeds. Close runner up to the 81 GPz550D1 would be the '82 GPz550H2 - earliern H1 side panel graphics had yet to evolve to hide the 2 inches longer unitrack wheelbase.

Personally the 'origami' of the early z1R inspired kz500 styling on the tank and tail swage lines plus graphics is what I love about the look of early 80's GPz styling, so no cafe will do it for me however nicely put together.