1981 KZ550A2 Update

nice job! You will like the bike. I love my 550A1

While I am waiting for the mailman for next steps, here's a short video of my dearly departed 78 KZ650. R

Will be uploaded shortly. :woohoo: Let it perk a while, the 1080p 60fps is worth the wait. R

Sounds good. I have my cam behind the windshield so the wind noise isn't so bad. It's just the cam's is SHT.. What happened to the 650?
Steve

I sold it. Dumb idea, but I did make a few bucks. I got that one for $500 bucks and put a bit into it, but the sale price looked good with two young men in college on my tab. :ohmy:

It was in much better better shape than this 550, but it had 20000 more miles.

BTW I had by cam replaced under warranty with a newer model. It has a supposed wind reduction mode. Anxious to try it out. What I love about the Sony line is the steadyshot feature. It drops you from 170 to 130 degree field, but far less vibration and jostling. On the Vulcan I bar mount the cam and other that an RPM spot at about 2000 RPM that vibrates the entire bar enough to shake the camera, it works great.

R

Petcock rebuild - check,, restored
Used advancer -1016 - check, received, It is the proper matching part and in great shape.
Air Ducts from Germany - priceless, still on the way.

I am hoping the cleaned and sealed tank holds fuel Well, old man winter has dropped into WI and I will be doing bits where possible. not really wanting to fit an airbox in the 10-20 degree garage.

R

Well, package from Germany arrived. May be to cold to ride but I think we can get her buttoned up.
R

I've hacksawed a few sets of those off of 550's. New ones make it go back together quite easily. Be sure to unbolt the airbox too, and it will slide rearward 3/4" or so.

What a pain, way harder than the 650 I had. The holders are good but tight. Team that up with almost no clearance - sucked. But I got it on right with some persuasion and a dull awl.

A few problems.

1. Don't pull coil wires off while installing the gas tank. Won't run - Fixed
2. Don't put the pivot bearing on the advancer 180 degrees off. Won't run - Fixed.
3. Don't ride around in the snow No cure for stupid :ohmy:

I noticed the spark boot on #3 was arcing to the head. Here's the pics. What would cause that?

video forthcoming I will post the links.

Any help appreciated.

R

Video

First Ride


Spark Arc

Carbs sound all gunked up. Bike sounds like it's running on 3 cylinders. Didn't you take them apart to clean and replace the old rubber parts?

Yep, dipped clean. I used the old jets, valves, valve seats, orings and needles. Compressed air afterward. They passed air and looked clean from my inspection. New fuel line, clear vent and vacuum tubes. I think there is an electrical issue. The number 3 plug is arcing to the valve cover. I noticed the right side (ignition side) coil power wires were unhooked. I think I snagged them when I was putting the tank on one of the times it was off and on. I did go on a second jaunt and it revs right up red line and up to 80 or so given the conditions. I am wondering if I hooked the right side coil power wires up backward and if that would be my issue? I shudder to think of pulling the carbs again as it is so so so tight on the 550.. Argh! R