1981 KZ550A2 Update

Oil lights are common on 550's, especially flickering at idle when warm. I've had a dozen 550's, and have seen it quite a bit.

So, fresh oil and filter seems to have cured my oil light flicker. Now, anyone have tips have 550 carb synch tips? Those damn ports are buried. Two outer point down and in and the inner two up and away. Any input appreciated. R

Do you have a remote fuel source? You should be able to get at them with the tank off. A liter bottle with a hose in the bottom works well. The ones with the handle for water. Drill a hole small enough so the hose fits in there tight then have at it.
BTW, not bad for a rank amateur. :lol:
Steve

Thanks, and yep reserve fuel is covered. I know this needs to be done at operating temperature. Does ambient temp matter. Figure no better to do this than the last blow of winter we have coming this week. it was 50s on Saturday, back to below freezing today. R :blink:

Wow, I'd wait until it warms up.
Steve

I don't remember seeing any oil light flickering on 550's. Even the one with a worn out engine doesn't flicker. I've read about it on the big motors, but don't recall hearing of it much, if at all, on 550's. Mike has worked on a lot of 550's so I don't doubt he's seen it, but I never have and haven't read many/any reports on this forum over 15 years. Maybe I missed those threads.
Was it doing that before the rebuild?

No not at all. I will say the oil was pretty funky and thinned. I had used some cleaner in oil passages (compressed air and air dried though for days), liberal assembly lube, hi-temp grease and anti seize on some gaskets. I think the pan gasket treatment contaminated the oil. That gasket particularly has a lot of area that covers more than the mating surfaces. It seems better now with the light and there were no smells, smoke or engine operating changes. I did have to ride back a few miles with a faint and a little brighter light. I stopped several times along the way and at each restart it was off, would glow lightly as RPM went up. Did not pull the valve cover or pan to inspect, but probably a good idea. Will be monitoring. R

You might want to go through the pump. I had that issue with mine, went through the pump and wound up with high pressure. Apples and oranges I know but I should have suggested it earlier. All it took was some #600 paper on a sheet of glass to smooth out the scratches on the cover plate. There was a thinner gasket for it but it was hard to come by. Might be a bad O ring also.
Steve

Will keep it in mind. All orings are new and I was as careful as i can be. I think I had contaminated oil and a clogged filter at the end of the day. Time will tell. It looks good now. I will pull the pan and valve cover for more inspection when able. R

I'd change the oil filter and oil. Might as well get the stuff out you missed. May not have to go further.
Steve

Yep did that once already
No light flicker or on after that change.
Will do it again after next run. It's not paranoia if they really are out to get ya !!!!

R

rrsmsw9999 wrote: Yep did that once already
No light flicker or on after that change.
Will do it again after next run. It's not paranoia if they really are out to get ya !!!!

R

Its not paranoia, it's a pathological hatred of surprises LMAO! Don't worry I have the same pathological hatred

- Brett