trianglelagunas 550 build /project thread.....

so i might as well start a thread on this bike...that way i can follow along with my method of asking questions and try and keep my numerous projects seperate...it's a 84gpz but it is an air cooled 550 so there!!!

anyways i see folks with gpz stuff on here.....


link to a site where i found some info today



MY bikes specs for easy access as i start on it...


www.gpz550.com/gpz550/specs84.htm

the story copied and pasted from the c-list thread

trianglelaguna wrote:

took a drive and checked it out...guy must be at work.....bike was out back and the next door is a grass lot so walked back and took a peek...

atk fork brace...three spoke gpz mags..perfect new looking bubble screen..nice chain and sprocket set....kerker k series with just rusty headers and a perfect can with a nice kerker tag in great shape.....seat and side covers and tail intact but need restored...tank perfect..istruments perfect...case gaurds perfect...weather got to the forks and cases a bit...anti dive stout front end and boxed aluminum uni track in nice shape... two keys on the key chain in the ignition....throttle moves free and snaps closed...no airbox on it , but it looks like the guy was spraying starter fluid to try and get it to fire so i bet it has pods or an airbox sitting around...all in all it is a kinda dirty but complete-straight- uncrashed last yr GPZ-550 and i'm on the jones for it ....we shall see if he calls tonight..it is just sitting there...the guy had motogp stickers and such on the mailbox and a motul sticker on the volvo station wagon in the street...i like him already..


below is a pic of the original type and year...very cool imo





So i may be buying a gpz550 today...i can tuck it in a corner for now and just back burner it...i'm good at that..lol...we'll see if it is for real.....more later...below is the message i sent and the message i got back...here is the add....
monterey.craigslist.org/mcy/1875779266.html


my name is craig and my cell is 831-601-8456...676 3731..i am up for another hr it is 9:55 or call as early as 6:00 i can pick it up and can fix it..i have four older kz900-1000 and fix projects...thanks...

Hi Craig, you are the first response so it is yours. I am Half way up Prescott ave. on the corner of Newton. There is a Red Chevy Truck in the driveway. Let me know when you can come by tomorrow. I held on to this bike because I couldn't let it go but I need to give it to someone who will appreciate it.
Thanks, what time can you come by?


I am up now 6:20 and i work nights so i can come by anytime today that works for you...my number is 601-8456

peace Craig



goodies and trick parts are the goal...here ....:woohoo:

dope, I loved my 550...handles really nice.

Good luck !!

The 550's are great bikes, and you will find that the GPz550forum is a great bunch also.

link to specas and reviews

www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/kawasaki/kawasaki_gpz550_83.htm


another link to some info i may need

forums.supertrapp.com/showthread.php?t=43

Exhaust are hard to come by for the 550's. AFAIK the only new stuff that you can get in the US is a Mac system. I actually just sold an exhaust system to the guy who started the thread in your link above. He is the fearless leader of the GPz550 forums and is also a member of these boards.

it has a nice kerker and a stage three...i just found out the bike is from amechanic who used to work for the superbike schools at laguna scea in the 90's..

i wonder if it is from the bikes kawasaki sponsored the school with in 1984....


here is a pic i found and the bike came from a mechanic there and it has the same fork brace and a decal set running from the back of the front fender to the rear that says"KAWASAKI RACING"

the covers and tail have been badly resprayed and the faring and instruments look new to me...the tank is fadded but peeling too so it may have been sprayed........

anyways would be kinda cool if it was one of the bikes in this pic?????

You two big guys on a 550? :blink: Whoa, that has to be a sight to see.... :laugh:

nope this is gonna be one bad little ripper ,and.... if anything a track bike or a loaner for when friends show up for the gp ect.....

she will need a 250 if she even thinks of riding ...freaked out a bit.....which is good...imo... 99% of chicks are not tough enough to take a real street crash or panic situation -tank slapper-rear tire slide-front tire push-collision ect...ect...bird in the face....you get my drift.......nor should they be imho

so my exuse of buying little rippers to be "her" bike does not hold water......:blush: she will know i'm just buying "another bike"

i even rolled it around in my head for an excuse to her when she got home today...no good though... when i have her point out bikes she would be comfortable to learn on in a store,she never points at anything bigger than a 80cc-110cc ect.....she is smart imo....or well trained :woohoo:

trianglelaguna wrote:
[...imo... 99% of chicks are not tough enough to take a real street crash or panic situation -tank slapper-rear tire slide-front tire push-collision ect...ect...bird in the face....you get my drift.......nor should they be imho""


Thats why I, lovingly of course, refer to them as passengers...even when they are driving

how the hell are you going to ride a 550,your 900 looks like a pocket bike with you sitting on it.ive seen you sitting on it up close remember! :laugh:

got the bike in the shop...spent all day organizing..it will be a decent project for sure....guy says it was not a superbike school bike but that one of there shop mechanics owned it...brought it with him from back east...

Came with a set of K&N oval filters..:woohoo: and a brand new manual.. ...to late to take picks tonight...tomorrow...peace