KZ 550 LTD ideas

Hello everybody, brand new newbie here--looks like a great site to learn on! I've been a long time triple fan and spend a bunch of time on the triple board till recently when I bought an 81 550 LTD from my brother. I like the bike, and have done a few minor changes to in (drag bars, 4 into 1 exh, lowered the suspension etc) but the one thing that eludes me is the aweful 2 up seat...I cant seem to get past it, that and the chrome rear fender--Not sure about what you all might think, but personally I need something different. Anybody have any ideas? I've been searching for some sort of tail/seat combo that would bolt on, but have come up empty. Not sure if anybody makes such a thing, of if other seat/tail's would bolt up--but lemme know if you have any ideas or know of something. Thanks!

Im open to anything here guys--Would a KZ650 tail (duck tail) bolt up?

Differences are what make this such a cool site. Me personally I like the 550 LTD bars and seat just the way they are. I'm an old fart and prefer a sit-up-straight posture when riding and don't like my butt sliding back and forth either.

With that said, as far as I know there are no seat pans from any of the standards that will bolt directly onto the LTD frame. If you are a handy-dandy fabricator, anything can be made to fit, right? What I think your best bet will be is to acquire an electric knife (I've heard hack saw blades work also), rip the cover off your seat and start shaping the foam into something that suits you. Then make yourself up a cover or get an upholstery shop to do it for you. Search the archives here for "seats", "seat covers", etc. and you will find some threads that some of the guys on here have posted about their home made seats. Some look pretty damn fine. Lotsa luck, ride safe and welcome to the sickness.... :blink: :silly:

Like said, I doubt anything will just bolt on but the GPZ and standard KZ 550 stuff should fit and just need mounts. The 81 GPZ had the most duck like tail.

I just got a KZ550 LTD also as a project bike and my first impression was like yours with the "king and queen" seat. I have to be honest with you, it's actually growing on me now and I may keep it, especially since it's in good shape. The seat makes me want to go to goodwill and get their best Members Only jacket in stock, put on some Rayban aviators, and part my hair down the middle!

Here's a pic of Trav's shaftie 550 LTD.

kzrider.com/components/com_ponygallery/i...ictures/IMG_0619.JPG