Re: My new bike - 1983 Kawasaki KZ550
 

Well, I'm back, and now that winter is starting to leave us I've been able to get some work done on my bike.

So far I've:

- Replaced the handlebars with superbike bars (MUCH more comfortable)
- Replaced the chain, front, and rear sprockets
- Replaced front and rear tire (by myself!)
- Spray painted the front fender and chain guard black
- Relocated the front blinkers to the back (mounting issues with the new bars)
- Replaced brake shoes on the rear brake

Still to do:

- Change brake fluid and oil
- Refinish tank (or at least stabilize it so I can refinish next winter)
- Install new front blinkers (on order)
- Waiting on a chain tool so I can install the master link clip on the new chain (no worries, I'll be taking it to the shop to have the rivet link installed)

And finally...

- Get the darn thing started. It's been too cold to get it started after having been sitting for a few months. I've drained the gas and hopefully next week I'll run out and get some fresh gas to put in it.

Re: My new bike - 1983 Kawasaki KZ550
 

Re: My new bike - 1983 Kawasaki KZ550
 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...h_DSC00183.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...h_DSC00182.jpg
Painting the front fender with BBQ/stove paint.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...h_DSC00188.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...h_DSC00185.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...h_DSC00184.jpg

New chain (x-ring type) and rear sprocket. I've also painted the chainguard (not shown) black like the fender.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...h_DSC00187.jpg
Used the mounting hardware from the front blinkers (which were mounted to the handlebars) to mount the rear blinkers to the passenger handlebars.

Re: My new bike - 1983 Kawasaki KZ550
 

I'm digging the black rims and the handle bars but it seems to be missing something in the front.. you should look into a small like.. crotch rocket looking windshield i think it would bring the bike together nicely.. balance it out and stuff.. but otherwise cool dude.

Re: My new bike - 1983 Kawasaki KZ550
 

I was considering a cafe-style windshield, but $70 is a lot for a purely cosmetic addition. I might look into it this summer, though, who knows?

Re: My new bike - 1983 Kawasaki KZ550
 

Jonathan might still have his lying around...you might want to email him and ask.

Re: My new bike - 1983 Kawasaki KZ550
 

Definitely!!! Do you know what the story on that is?

GH

Re: My new bike - 1983 Kawasaki KZ550
 

This answer was on the first page of this thread and I know from experience it is correct.

Re: My new bike - 1983 Kawasaki KZ550
 

Yea, well like I said, I still think it's neat. How many bikes out there have Department of Defense parking stickers on them? ;)

Update:

My chain tool came in the mail today (as did some new brake fluid) and I finally got the clip on the master link installed. First order of business when I get the bike up and running, of course, is to take it to the shop and have them install the rivet master link that came with the chain.

Re: My new bike - 1983 Kawasaki KZ550
 

Well, I got her started up today! I'd been trying to start her all winter, but I guess all she needed was a decently warm day and some fresh gas. She started up IMMEDIATELY, even faster than my car starts. Not too bad for having set since November without running, eh?

The only bad thing is it seems like she's only running on 3 cylinders. Tomorrow I'm gonna swing by Advance Auto and see if they have spark plugs for her. Gonna go ahead and replace those since they're probably the originals anyway. If that doesn't fix the problem, I might take her to the shop and ask their opinion, since I'm not sure if I wanna tackle tearing down and rebuilding 4 carbs. ;)