Me and my 1983 KZ550 LTD

[The5thMan]

After 25 years I'm on a bike again thanks to a friend who sold me this 1983 KZ 550 LTD. 25k miles
Last November I bought this bike knowing it didnt run but the previous owner thought it would be something simple. The deal was that if it turned into a real boondoggle that he would take the bike back and part it out. The agreed price was $200.00.
I hauled it home and proceeded to troubleshoot the initial issue. Wont start / run. Turns out the rectifier / regulator was toast so I purchased a new one and got it installed. Once set up the bike started and ran fairly well but I knew that the bike sat for a bit so more service would be needed.
After rebuilding the carbs, replacing the fuel tank and exhaust,doing the valve adjustment , replacing the air filter, fuel filter,plugs, oil and filter,then synching the carbs and a few other maintenance issues the bike really came to life.
I then got into replacing the handlebars with the lower rise Daytona style bars fitted with new cables and master cylinder. Also moved the front turn signals to the headlight bucket.
I put about a total of $1200.00 into this bike and countless hours but I'd have to say it was very rewarding.
The throttle response is perfectly smooth from idle right up through redline in every gear.
I'm fairly light (175 lbs.)and never have a passenger so I changed the engine sprocket from the 15 tooth that was in it to a 17 tooth. At 65mph it revs at about 5400 rpm.The sprocket change does require a bit more gear changing when dealing with steep inclines or need to make a pass but the fuel economy is about 62 mpg. Cant complain about that. This bike it so much fun I look forward to every nice day we have here in northern VT to take it to work which is about a 25 mile drive one way.
I'm totally hooked on the KZ now that I have become a bit more familiar with it. A great bike to tinker with and to ride !

[apbling]

Glad to hear that you like your new ride! I think at least half the fun of owning these bikes is tinkering with them. Did you leave the rear sprocket alone, or did you change it out too?

[OKC_Kent]

Those are great bikes. A friend (65 years young) has one like yours, he thinks nothing of loading it up with camping gear and riding for 2-10 days at a time, all over the country. Solid, reliable and fun!

[The5thMan]

Originally Posted by apbling

Glad to hear that you like your new ride! I think at least half the fun of owning these bikes is tinkering with them. Did you leave the rear sprocket alone, or did you change it out too?

I did not change the rear 38t sprocket. Even if a 36 tooth rear sprocket was available I wouldnt use it as the gearing now is good overall.
Dennis

[apbling]

Thats what my setup is now... when I bought it it had a 42 in the back and 16 up front... riding on the highway wasn't very enjoyable, but the on-ramps were

[gpzrocker]

Looks like what I started out on, a great bike. Many memories.

[StarGate]

Looks nice. I've been looking for a $200-$300 550-650 project bike for a couple of years now with no luck. I mainly want it for something to spend time tinkering with but having a bike to ride locally that got better mpg wouldn't hurt my feelings either with the way gas prices are now. There just aren't many vintage Kaws in this area and only a few Honda's that I've found so far. As far as I know I'm the only one in the area that rides one. I may just have to break down and start on a Honda.

[apbling]

Mike,
I had the same issue for a bit... A guy in Des Moines had an '80 440 LTD that ran poorly and had new tires...wanted 200 on craigslist. My dad had this bike when he was younger and sold it to help pay for his house. I was going to fix it all up and give it to him. I emailed them but was the 2nd person and missed out on it.

So, I just posted a wanted add in the for sale section on craigslist and you should have seen the people crawling out of the woodwork with bikes to sell. They ranged from polished and ready to go at $1500 or in boxes with parts missing at $100... Have you tried that?

[kawpaul]

Great post 5thMan. This is what it is all about.

[StarGate]

Originally Posted by apbling

Have you tried that?

Andy, I haven't tried that but a while back there was someone that was posting adds (every week) offering to buy any old bikes no matter what condition they were in. I'm not sure how many if any he might have gotten via his adds but he ran that add for a while and finally quit so I'm assuming he bought up most anything available via that method. I might try an add just to see what happens though. It can't hurt. Thanks

[The5thMan]

Originally Posted by kawpaul

Great post 5thMan. This is what it is all about.

I almost forgot to say thank you to everyone who was willing to respond to all my questions during the process of getting this bike in order. This motorcycle forum was as valuable a resource as the Kawasaki shop manual was.

Dennis.

[kcoers]

makes me wish i hadn't blown my 454 LTD up!!! I like the new vulcan, but the 454 had character!