shaft to chain

is it possible to convert a shaft driven 83 550 spectre to chain? any info would really help!!!!!!!!

Hey Ernst,

Any thing is possible, but you have to look at both ends of the transaction.

You've got a 550 shaftie, a good bike but not a drag strip champ. If you do the deed you will end up with a 550 that is faster than a 550 shaftie but worth no more than a stocker.

I have a KZ1100 Spectre. It has an engine that is so close to a GPZ1100 that, except for the cams, there is no difference. I'm going to enjoy my 1100, with it's shaft, for what it's worth.

If I decide to go drag racing, I'll bring a different bike.

Go with the flow.

KZCSI

There is another way to look at this swap.
If you do it you will spend more time and money doing the conversion than you would ever spend maintaining the shaft drive.
My advice: Enjoy your bike as is or buy a different bike.

So in honesty, the answer is yes. Change the motor/tranny assy, swingarm, wheel, brake. Best way is to buy a donor bike that runs and handles well. Then put the bodywork and stuff on the donor, act like it is the original bike.

I think there is a big misconception about shaft drive and power. It really doesn't do that much to wheel HP on the motorcycles. I'd love to own a dyno to prove it, but I don't, so I guess I am just bench racing from my previous shaft and chain experience. But I would bet it would be under 5%. And that means under 3HP on your model, IF you are getting 60WHP. I think my 750 gets 70-75, so I'd love to go to shaft and drive the bike for a million miles with minimal maintenance. I'd sacrifice 3-4 HP for that!

To address this issue again.
Let's look at 2 of my bikes.
One is a KZ1100 shaft and the other is a KZ1000 chain (with 1100cc motor).
The shaft drive bike weighs about 100 pounds more, 50 of which is associated with the shaft and the rest of the weight is from bigger tank, more accessories and heavier frame.
The shaft drive is much easier to maintain. The heavier drive-train suits the cruiser nature of the bike.
On the chain bike light weight equals better acceleration and handling.
If I were to convert the KZ1100 to chain It would take me about 50 hours of labor (engine teardown needed) and probably $300 in parts. (Chain, sprockets, rear wheel, engine gaskets and output shaft for trans). When I was done the bike would still be 50 pounds heavier than the chain bike.
My suggestion: Buy a chain drive bike and be done with it.