new owner of an 81 kz 550 ltd (video)

Patton wrote:

lightitup wrote: I've been trying to push start her but she seems harder to push in gear with the clutch in than it is in N. Should I be worried or just check my clutch adjustment. Anyway I'm going to try again today with the help of my brother and his tracker

I interpreted this to mean the brother on the tracker would tow the KZ550 with rider aboard, probably using a rope.

Being towed on a bike to attain enough speed for bump starting is possible. Bit it's tricky, as the tow rope must be attached so as not to twist the handlebars, and in a fashion whereby the rider being towed is able to release the tow rope and allow it to immediately disengage from the bike being towed.

It's a bad idea to engage the clutch while being towed. The bike should be coasting on its own and completely free from the towing vehicle before engaging the clutch.

Where feasible, the easiest and safest means is to have a buddy give you a push to get you started on a downhill coast while you're already mounted on the bike.

Good Fortune!

There's gotta be some good wipeout videos of this method on youtube. :laugh:

no there is only a small slant in the road and the tracker is for bringing me and the bike back up after ive tried starting it and failing to get her to start so i just use the tracker so i dont have to push her up the slight incline ive got. ihad to do this the other day and my caves were burning after. also i just take a tie strap and put the hook around the bar at the center of my handle bars every easy to disconnect

From the video, I can't say for sure it's not the starter-clutch, but in case it's jsut the starter, you may want to keep an eye on ebay for a starter. They don't cost much since they don't go bad too often on the 550's. Although, spring is not the time you want to have to buy parts.

i tested my start solenoid to day and it wasnt putting out enough volts so im going to replace that and see if it helps. then im going to move on to the starter if there is still an issue

I like that plan.

yep while waiting on parts i went out and took some photos

ok so i bought a petcock without a vacuum port, can i just plug the vacuum on the carbs or would i have to adjust other stuff. also what size tubes are bowl vent hoses? my bike doesnt have any right now. i also put a good solenoid in and nothing changed. but i have also started on something im hoping turns out well. im using a wire frame and paper mache to make a front fender and i also think im going to make a tall piece then fiberglass me some awesomeness to look like this

So quick question while I was draining a little bit of oil out the fill I notice that the wires that plug into the gas tanks are broken would this stop it from runing and can I jump that switch

this switch

That's the low fuel switch --- the broken wires will have no effect on starting or running the bike.
Mine are broken right now.

thanks martin for the fast response.

so after i did the starter rebuild kit and got new spark plugs she fires up without a problem im so happy as soon as these Florida rains stop im going to take her on a quick ride around the block i might post a video of it running later