kz550 Big Bore 615cc Yeah or Nay?

Same here. That is why I am thinking the 615cc kit. I love my 83 550 sport and I never see them anywhere on the road around here in so cal. Every now and then a GPZ. That is why I want to keep it. It only has 4800 miles and is super condition. Sure I could dump it for an 83 GS1100 that would turn heads also but that is not the point. I would also Pod, Pipe, and Jet that too.

Are you saying you want to the maximum speed attainable to be higher?
Are you saying that you want to cruise at high speed, but at a lower RPM?

With 16-38 gearing, you should be able to get to about 120 mph at redline.
I think the A's came with 16-40.
17-40 is nearly identical to 16-38.

If you are not getting to redline with that gearing, then it may be the carbs are not jetted right, Those CV carbs have more potential than the TK22 carbs, which seem to have no problem getting the earlier A models to 120 (when geared 17-40).

Straight-line top speed is more about wind resistance than weight.

YES - Are you saying that you want to cruise at high speed, but at a lower RPM?

No problem red lining in any gear and the bike does not struggle at all. Just would like lower RPM at top speed. It seems like a solution is to change out the can to a baffled one which will solve some of the issues. What should the 6th gear RPM be at 60 mph? Granted I have a 17T on my A4 motor.

Wow, just watched the video. The bike sounds great, but LOUD. That would be a real tooth-shaker at 100mph.

If you follow my links, you will find a speed-rpm calculator on my site. But it doesn't work with some browsers. It works best with Internet Explorer, but even then you have to allow it to un-block the content. There are also instructions for downloading it and changing the file type to get it to open on windows computers. I wrote that a long time ago, and have not kept up with browsers. (I hate that crap.)

If we assume redline is 9500, then with my tires (my calculator allows you to precisely measure your tires and enter the info), I get:
16-38 gives 122 mph
16-40 gives 115 mph
17-40 gives 123 mph

At 60 mph, I get:
16-38 gives 4679 rpm
16-40 gives 4925 rpm
17-40 gives 4636 rpm

I agree with loudhvx. Your bike is awfully loud! Why am I shouting? Because that's the only way I can hear what I'm saying because I'm nearly deaf from riding a bike for 11 years that was as loud as yours! See image below. :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Ed

How much do you expect to sell it for?
KBB retail excel condition $1000

I've seen nothing about selling in this thread except yours. :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :whistle:

Yep, bike shops repair bikes to keep.

:huh:

car5car wrote: How much do you expect to sell it for?
KBB retail excel condition $1000

I plan to be buried with it! :evil:
I had a bright red 83 GS1100ED when in turned 18 in 1986 and Jardine Exhaust, pods, jet kit and loved it. Rode it from CA to Indiana where I went to college and then back. Then to Idaho for 8 months and then back to CA. Gave it up when my first son was born. 17 years later, I am back in the game and I did not want another large CC bike because I knew I would be drawn back to the freeway. Just something to ride a little bit on the weekends to get it out of my system. Quick run to the pharmacy for my meds, store, etc. Thus, the small CC hunt was on. I stumbled across this gem and never looked back. Not looking to sell it at all.

And like LOUDHVX said, it is a tooth shaker at 65+ mph. It has plenty of get up and go to move way past that but it just screams. Just looking to take some of the scream away and not cruise at 7500 RPMs at 75 mph.

LOUDHVX: I tried the calculator in Firefox, IE, and Chrome but can't get it to work. Even change the file extension. Did not see a link to download to change the file extension. If you are good with it, I will get you my info tonight. I can tell you though that I think I am at about 5000 RPM at 60 mph. Will let you know tonight.

If you don't mind losing a little take off, you can gear it up.
Not everything in this world is for sale and not every man has his price.
Steve

Wow that is one nice looking 550! I'll jus say that the small 4's were made to spin, that motor will click away at redline all day long. Perhaps if a more refined ride down the highway is what you want, then put a factory air box and exhaust on it. It would still haul down the freeway without the scream. Or put a better can on that header to quite it down.

lodvhx would know for sure, but I wold bet you top end wouldn't change much with the factory parts. those 550's are sweet handling bikes, they were made to turn not drag race... but they aren't exactly slow eaither. :whistle: