I'm new and I have a few questions

Well, I took the timing cover off and the cam is literally covered in rust. I will clean and lube per the manual and report back.

I used the information that is in the KZ information part of this site. I looked at the 1980 KZ550 and it said it had a 18" rear wheel. I figured 3 inch sidewall was a conservative guess. I then divided 8000 by 6.25 (stock drive ratio when in sixth) then multiplied 24 times 3.14 to get the circumference of the tire and divided that from 5280 times twelve. then multiply by 60 to return from RPM to MPH. I think I did it right but I haven't done conversions in awhile so I could be off.

Holy balls! The advancer was rusted to a retarded position the whole time. I disassembled and lubed per the manual and BAM! This thing runs like a burgler. I topped out the speedo needle and kept climbing. Thanks for the help mario. It's funny, the shortest post hit the nail on the head.

My buddy that owns a 550 had the same problem. It's the easiest fix in the book.....besides putting air in your tires!

Probably the wrong forum for this, but I thought I'd give a quick update.

I just bench synched the carbs and it is obviously running even better now. I got 116 miles before switching to reserve before doing so. Hopefully I will get even better milage now. I doubt it because I can't help but rev this thing out! What a fun 26 year old bike!

When I had my 550 I would go around 115-120 miles before switching to reserve.

How much gas does the stock tank hold?

3 gallons puts that around 40mpg. Should I expect more since the tune up of the carbs?

Sounds about right if your in and out of it a lot. 40 beats 15 anytime. :laugh: :woohoo:

My 81 KZ550 LTD has a Vetter fairing, saddlebags, trunk, etc. Add to that the fact that I am a rider of "substantial" proportions. Cruising the back roads of upstate new York and Vermont I'm averaging about 54 mpg. It's very hard not to love these older Kawi's.