TOPIC:

Howdy, new here so hopefully I don't cross any rules or anything.

I have a 1981 Kawasaki GPZ550 (KZ550). I plan on putting clip-ons (36mm) with a slight rise to them. Gonna have them set near the top of the triple clamp. So distance wise away from the stock bar its probably only 3.5-4 inches distance.

So the question is do you think stock cables would be good to use? Kinda just looking for opinions from people who have done clip-ons before on a kz550A or first year gpz.
Been having trouble finding good cable sizes.

Thanks in advance.

Stock GPz cables are probably going to be shorter than any other stock cables. But maybe check into KZ305 cables or some other smaller models. Z1Enterprises.com lists the cable lengths. Motion Pro & Barnett are a couple of places that make custom cables.

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Here's what you need:
gpzweb.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.co...tchCableShorten.html

The stock cables will be usable but will be too long. The throttle cable gets routed forward so that loo will be bigger but won't really interfere too badly. The clutch cable is much more problematic. You will need to secure it pretty good and make sure the excess is looped smoothly. I loop it upward more than normal and then it loops smoothly to the lever. It should still function fine but will look "loopy". I've run it like that for years with no problem other than looks, but eventually got tired of it so I cut them to length.

The brake line will be way too long to get to the splitter. I delete the splitter and run a single line to the right caliper, then another line from right caliper to the left caliper.

I cut down the stock cables rather than use Motion Pro cables. The Motion Pro cables never feel as good as the factory ones.

This is very in depth, thanks.

cutting the cable short look a little more in depth for me right now lol.

Would the brake line actually be too long to get to the splitter with how little I'm moving it? I don't mind changing the lines of necessarz but if that's the case where is the best place to get brake lines for those dimensions?

thanks again.

I think it can all be made to work without cutting any cables. I ran it like that for a little bit before I was certain I would keep the clip-ons. Everything will just have to be looped in a way to not kink.

A much bigger problem is hitting the tank with the clip-ons. You will need to stop down the steering before you ever install the clip-ons or it's guaranteed to scratch or dent the tank.

By Caleator: .... where is the best place to get brake lines for those dimensions?

Goodridge brake lines from Z1Enterprises.com come in various lengths & Z1Ent has goodridge banjo fittings w different angles. With Goodridge if you get the wrong length or change bars again in the future, swapping out a new brake line is a simple matter. I installed ss braided lines w clear pvc 6-7 years ago, then swapped them out just last week w black >> it was very simple. just unscrew the old lines & install new. I installed a Honda CBR500 master cylinder, so I had to swap the banjo fitting there. still pretty easy.
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has any one had any luck with mounting a narrower to the steering stopper?

ive done something like this before on an sr400, but that one had easy access mounting points. the gpz550 does not appear to have anything like that.

also ill look into those brake lines as well, thanks.

Caleator wrote:
has any one had any luck with mounting a narrower to the steering stopper?

Show us your steering stop we will show you the solution.

Here it is

Try to put an alu/steel tube on the steering stop bolt.

that's a good idea I'll give it a shot when I put on the clip ons eventually.

I'll update back here then I get them on at some point.

thanks again guys